Page 60 of The Loathing

“Do you need some water Xavier? You sound like you’re choking.” Titus reaches for the jug of water, standing and pouring my father a glass. “Maybe slow down on the mouthfuls of food, no good for the digestive system,” Titus gives my father a huge smile before sitting back in his seat and continuing to eat his food.

“I cannot wait to send you back on your fucking plane and back to America next week Titty.”

Titus stops chewing, his eyes slowly lifting and resting on my father. My heart drops into my stomach and I gasp, choking on my inhale of breath.

“Xavier,” my mother’s tone is sharp.

“Dad…” Xander’s voice is hushed, his head dipping as he tries to get my father’s attention but it’s no use, my father’s sights are locked and loaded on Titus.

“My job isn’t done yet,” Titus responds, wiping his mouth with his napkin and letting it drop onto his plate.

“Your job is done when I tell you it’s done.”

Titus’ hands drop into his lap, and now it’s my turn to comfort him as I slowly slip my hand across to his, covering it with mine.

“So Amora is safe then?” I hear the low rumble in Titus’ throat. “All threats are gone? I thought we had a little more time until then…” he pauses and my father’s eyes widen slightly before narrowing into thin slits.

“We don’t. You go Monday.”

“So, three days?” Titus scoffs shaking his head.

“Three days,” my father reaches for his glass and takes a mouthful of his water, “your money will be wired into your bank by the end of the day Monday,” he says, giving a final nod.

I squeeze Titus’ hand under the table, fear crippling me that he is being taken away from me.

“Everyone leave,” my mother’s voice calm and authoritative, but her tone is loud, my brothers standing up immediately. My mother very rarely gets angry, but when she does you know to listen.

“Sit down,” my father grits, his fists balled.

“I said,” my mother’s blue eyes slice to my father’s, her icy glare pinned to him, “everyone leave.”

“Royal,” my father warns.

“Out!” she shouts, and we all stand and move for the door, Titus closing it behind us.

“What the fuck is all that about?” I ask the three men in front of me but my question is aimed at Xander. My father tells Xander everything.

Ezekiel shrugs his shoulders up, his eyes moving between the three of us.

“Honestly Amora, I know nothing. Dad doesn’t tell me shit like this,” he turns to face Xander who won’t look back at him.

“Xander…” I whisper, fear crippling me in an instant.

“I don’t know a lot…” his voice is hushed, his eyes move behind me to the closed door before they meet mine.

“But you know something…” I swallow the bile back down.

He nods, then drops his head and I can hear the shaky breath that leaves him. Titus reaches forward, gripping his shoulder and giving him a reassuring squeeze.

“You’re not safe Amora, the coast is most definitely not clear…” his eyes bounce between mine, “I don’t know what sort of deal dad has struck with The Knight Brothers, but it’s not a good one. I caught him crying last night in his office… it’s big Amora and I am worried.”

“It’ll be okay,” my voice cracks and I feel my chin begin to wobble, my bottom lip trembling and it doesn’t matter how much I try and stop them, my eyes fill with tears.

“I won’t let them near you,” Titus reaches for me, tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear and I ignore the pull that I feel, the raw magnetism of the forcefield that surrounds us.

“You aren’t going to be able to stop them Titus, not from thousands of miles away… you heard him,” my voice rises, “he is sending you back on a plane in three days.” My glassy eyes steady on his as I wait for him to say something.

“They can’t take you if you’re not here…”

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