Page 2 of The Loathing

“What?” I scoffed, throwing myself back in my chair and crossing my arms across my chest like the bratty child I was being made out to be.

My father rolled his eyes so far in the back of his head, a tsk leaving him as he did.

“Tell me it isn’t the truth.” I still questioned him. I was annoyed that he was ignoring what I had originally asked.

“Amora,” my mother snapped at me as if I had spat venomous words at my father.

“What!?” My voice was louder now as I bit back at her. My father growled as his different coloured eyes narrowed on me. “That fact that Xavier here cannot even answer my question pretty much sums it up and answers it for me.” I smirk, my tongue darting out as I lick my upper lip trying to antagonize the situation. My mother shakes her head from side to side and I know she is disappointed in me.

“I was doubting our choice to bring protection here, but now I feel like we have made the right choice.” Her tone was sharp and blunt as she waltzed over to the kettle and switched it on.

“Trying to keep me locked away like father done with you?” my tone was harsh, I didn’t intend for it to come out the way it did, but I was so fucking angry with everything that was unfolding.

“Amora!” My mother gasped; her eyes pinned to mine as the look of shock veiled her face.

“It’s the truth. Dad locked you away and forced you to love him. If you think locking me away and keeping me prisoner in my own home is going to kerb my attitude and keep me safe, then you’re both deluded. I am twenty-five, an adult yet you’re still treating me like a child!” I pushed off the chair with such force the legs scraped along the worn tiles before the back of the chair hit the floor, the sound echoing around the now silent kitchen. “I’ll be in my room,” I snarled, turning away as I walked towards the door, “might as well get used to my new living quarters.”

“Amora,” my mum’s voice was quiet and soft as she called after me, but it was no use, I wasn’t interested in listening to anything she had to say.

I was done.

Fuck my father and fuck the Knight brothers.

CHAPTER TWO

TITUS

I wake with a groan, my eyes taking a moment to adjust to the bright light of the room. My head is pounding, I drank way too much last night. I reach for my phone and wince as I look at the time, it’s just turned six. Bringing my fingers to my temples, I massage them gently. It’s not till I let my arms fall down with a thud; I realize I am not alone. I slowly turned my head to notice a blonde-haired girl softly snoring on the pillow next to me.

Great.

This is not what I need.

I kick my legs out of the covers and wrap my sheet around my body as I stand abruptly.

Leaning across, I nudge the stranger in my bed before I step back. Her soft whines fill the room and instantly I have the ick. I shudder before her face turns towards me, her eyes slowly opening revealing dark brown doe eyes. I mean, she isn’t ugly. But she definitely looked better last night. I wince.

“Morning,” she smiles, a pillow crease evident in her soft, ivory skin.

“You need to leave,” my jaw is tight, my voice low as it booms around my large bedroom.

She presses up, shock evident on her face and yes, I feel like a prick, but I’m not having Arizona, my daughter, having to see one of my drunken mistakes.

“Oh,” her lips form into a small ‘o’ shape.

“Sorry, I don’t really do this…” I admit, turning away from her and walking towards my bathroom but before I enter, I turn once more to look at her, “I expect you gone once I am done showering.”

I don’t stay long enough to hear what she has to say, I slam the door shut, drop the sheet from my body and turn the shower knob letting the hot water stream out of the shower head. Arizona wouldn’t be home yet, so I should be safe.

I lather my skin in suds and feel my tense muscles relax under the razor streaks of hot water that hit my body.

Arizona’s mom walked out when she was three months old, she just disappeared like a ghost. Every single trace of her was erased. We spent years looking, Nate drove himself insane feeling like he failed me, but more so my daughter. We couldn’t work it out, we have no idea why she decided on that frosty November evening that she wanted to leave. Nothing had happened, we were in a really good place but maybe I read it all wrong.

Washing up Arizona’s bottle in the soapy water, I was whistling along to ‘you’re my sunshine’ when I heard her stirring from her bassinet, I looked over my shoulder and smiled as it softly rocked. Sharon was soaking in the bath, she had been up with Arizona a lot in the night so I wanted her to have the afternoon to just chill and that’s exactly what she was doing.

I shook the bubbles from my hands and wiped them down on the dish towel as I rushed towards Arizona’s bassinet, her soft sobs were now replaced with full on screaming.

“Oh baby, it’s okay, Daddy’s here,” I soothe as I wrap my fingers round her back and lift her, scooping her into my arms as her head falls into the crease of my elbow, her light green eyes glassy as they focus on mine.

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