Page 45 of The Loathing

“Your daughter deserves to know her fate, Xavier.” I shake my head again and now my head is dropped; I can’t even look at him.

“And she will know when the time is right, but for now, Titus…” he trails off, and him actually saying my name correctly aggravates me more than the stupid nickname Titty that he has branded me with. “Do your fucking job,” he barks, standing up and slamming his drink down on the table and I think he was expecting me to flinch.

“I’ll do my job Xavier; you have no worries about that… you just might not like the way I do it.” I snarl, turning on my heel and storming out of his office, slamming the door just for effect.

“What a dickhead.” I sigh, scrubbing my face with my hand and suddenly I feel exhausted. I walk towards the kitchen, not expecting to see anyone, but Royal is standing there, leaning against the work surface as she stares out at the garden.

She looks a million miles away.

I turn slowly but it’s too late. She noticed me.

“Hey, sorry you can come in… I was just thinking.”

“I don’t want to intrude,” I hold my hands up, stepping back towards the door.

“Titus, it’s fine… come in, I’ve not long boiled the kettle.” She smiles at me, her eyes soft as she averts her gaze from mine, turning and reaching for two mugs. “Tea?”

“Please,” I nod, stepping quietly back into the room and pulling a stool out to sit at the center island. The kitchen is big and runs along the back of the house. The floors are cream marble but look a little worn, the units are off white, and the countertops are wrapped in a black marble.

It looked as if it had been recently decorated, the walls a warm ivory.

“Do you take sugar?” Royal asks as she pours the water over the teabags, and I tilt my head to the side.

“I have no idea; I’ve never had an English breakfast tea.” I admit, and she smiles.

“Let’s do one sugar and some milk, see how you like it.” I watch as she adds a dash of milk then stirs in a teaspoon of sugar. Walking it over to me, she passes it across the countertop, and I thank her.

“How’s your day been?” she asks, pulling one of the stools out on the opposite side of the centre island and sits, her hands wrapped round her mug.

“Not too bad.” I nod as I take a sip of my tea, my tongue darting out and licking my lips.

“And Amora, did she have a nice time?”

“I believe so, ma’am.”

“Please, no ma’am,” Royal shakes her head softly, loose strands of her red hair falling around her face before she catches it and tucks it back behind her ear, “just Royal.”

“Okay, just Royal.” My tone is laced with a little humour.

“Have you heard from your daughter?” she asks as she brings the mug to her lips.

“Funny enough, she called me about half an hour ago.”

“Do you miss her?” Royal shuffles in her seat.

“Every second of every minute of every day.” I sigh, sitting tall my own fingers wrapping round a mug. “This is a really good cup of tea.” A snort of a laugh escapes me as I lift my mug to my lips once more, enjoying my drink.

“I’m glad you approve, nothing like a nice cup of tea to make everything better.”

My eyes settle on her, and I can feel the nervous energy.

“Is everything okay?” I ask and I feel like I am overstepping.

“Not overly, but you know that because that’s why you’re here.” She smiles but this time, her smile doesn’t reach her eyes like it normally does.

“I won’t let anything happen to her.” I hate that I am making a promise I don’t even know if I can keep because I have no idea what the fuck Xavier has up his sleeve. He is keeping me in the dark as much as Amora and I can’t help but wonder if Royal knows anything at all.

I hear her inhale deeply.

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