Page 41 of The Loathing

“You’re not going to die or get kidnapped,” Arabella groans, “and what do you mean again?”

“You don’t know that,” I turn to face her, “and never mind… it’s not important.” I give her a reassuring smile, but it doesn’t seem to ease the concerned look plastered on her face before turning my face back out the rolling green fields that are whizzing by.

“But I do.” Titus’ rasp pulls my eyes from the window, and I swallow the lump down my throat, his steady gaze on me.

The moment is ruined when the car begins to ring.

“Fuck,” Titus groans, pressing the button to the car, answering my father’s call. “Yup.”

“Don’t fucking yup me, where are you? Amora said she didn’t want to go.”

“Out with Amora.”

“Sorry?” my father roars.

“I’m out with Amora; she changed her mind, and I thought it was okay as long as I was going with her,” Titus smirks.

“I changed my fucking mind! If you still want a job, turn the fucking car round and bring her home… NOW.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”

“You fucking do what I say.”

I feel myself shrink in my chair.

“You hired me to do a job, so fuck off and let me do my job.” Titus punches the red button with his finger on the screen cutting my father off before the phone begins to ring again.

A nervous laugh bubbles out of me and I cup my hand across my mouth.

“Seems I have an ally after all,” I breathe out a sigh of relief as Titus pulls into an underground car park.

* * *

Titus kept his word; he stayed close but not enough to draw attention. His phone continued to ring until we pulled up on the drive and guilt knots in my stomach.

Titus pulls into the carport and my heart drums fast in my chest. He cuts the engine and opens his door, meeting me at my door as he opens it.

“I’m sorry,” I manage, not able to look at him in the eyes.

“Why are you sorry?” his voice is calm as he waits for me to exit the car.

“Because you’re going to get into shit with my father because I was being a brat,” I slowly lift my eyes to level with his.

“I’m not going to get into shit, I’m a big boy… I think I can handle your father… plus, he needs me more than I need him at the moment so don’t worry your pretty little head about it.” He winks at me and I smile. “Plus, you’re a grown woman… don’t worry about him, I wouldn’t let anyone get near you.”

I nod, slipping out the car and ducking under his arm. I continue walking and don’t look back behind him. I open the door, keeping my head down as I make my way upstairs and down to my bedroom. I expect Titus to follow, but he doesn’t.

Dropping my bags on my bed, I flop down next to it and I wait for my father to come through my door like a wrecking ball.

Minutes pass, and nothing.

Slowly sitting up on my elbows, I keep my eyes pinned to the door but he doesn’t come and for some reason, that instils more fear in me than him coming into my room.

Shuffling forward, I edge off the bed and walk cautiously to my door as I open it and look down the hallway.

Silence.

My stomach knots and I swallow hard. Stepping back into my room, I close my bedroom door and just wait.

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