Page 78 of The Loathing

“Me neither, okay, I have booked you in for two weeks is that enough?”

“I have no idea, but I have the option to extend right?”

“Seems that way,” Nate hums down the phone.

“Okay, perfect, can you…” my phone buzzes while it is still up to my ear.

“Already done it.” His playful tone doesn’t go unnoticed, and I can’t help smiling.

“Of course, you have.”

“Be careful Titus.”

“Always,” I cut the phone off and pull up his message seeing the address and copying it into my maps, just over three hours from where we are. I look at my watch, it has just gone nine. I need to get packed up and drop the suitcase to Amora without being seen. Her mother always checks on her before bed, so I need to get it to her sooner rather than later.

I bend down, pulling my large suitcase from under the bed and unzipping it before emptying my sneakers and shoes from it. Zipping it back up, I stand and head for my door. Once open, I look up and down the narrow corridor before slipping out and walking towards Amora’s room, my heart racing in my chest the entire time. I’m not worried about bumping into Xavier. I’m worried about what he would do to Amora if he caught me. What the fuck would I say? How would I even be able to explain it?

Shit.

Maybe this was a crazy idea.

Maybe I needed to give a little more thought to this than being so quick to think this is a good idea.

I haven’t planned anything.

I haven’t thought this through. I slow as I wheel the suitcase down the tiled hallway, trying to avoid every groove that may cause a noise and bring attention to my very poorly thought-out plan. I still, looking behind at Amora’s painting room and my heart hurts that I am taking her away from the one thing she finds peace in. Maybe if I have time I can come back and collect some of her supplies… maybe.

My palms are sweaty as I approach the second set of stairs. I avoided the long corridor that leads straight from one side of the house to the other thinking this would be the better option but when I hear a commotion in the library I freeze. My feet are grounded to the floor and even if I wanted to move, I couldn’t.

“Royal, please.”

“Don’t Royal please me,” I hear Royal snap. “I am disgusted and disappointed in you. How could you?” her tone is sharp and I would hate to be Xavier.

“It’s not as it seems, Red… I promise,” and that’s when I hear the sound of skin hitting skin.

Xavier lets out a low rumble and I can imagine he is having to bite his tongue and let himself cool.

“No? Because what I understand is that our daughter, our pride and joy, our young, innocent daughter is being given away to two brothers who let’s be honest, are the mafia. Do you think that was the right thing to do? Do you think it was the right thing to try and clear your name? To try and get them to forgive you for spilling their father’s blood.”

Silence echoes round the room.

“The answer is no, Xavier.”

“It’s too late Royal.”

Another slap against skin and this time I wince. Because I felt it.

“I am done with you Xavier.”

“Red, please,” I hear Xavier beg and I take that as my cue to leave. I walk quickly past the library, keeping my head down and climbing the stairs two at a time.

Whisking down the corridor to her room, my heartbeat quickens but it’s not a panicked beat now. It’s beating because it beats for her.

Its drumming along to the beat of hers, only hers.

I slow as I approach her room, inhaling deeply but exhaling slowly.

Knocking on her bedroom door three times, then twisting the handle and letting my head pop round the doorframe before my eyes find hers.

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