Page 51 of The Loathing

I watch as Carter’s brows rise high then it seems realization sinks in.

“Oh, Titty.”

I roll my eyes and Amora sniggers.

Carter steps towards me and holds his hand out, I reach forward, clasping his hand in mine and shake firmly.

“Nice to meet you, how is my wonderful friend Xavier treating you, hopefully well?”

“I think he would treat a dog better,” I bark out and that causes Carter to laugh softly, and I join him. “Amora,” I turn to face her and see her beautiful eyes drag to mine as they bounce back and forth, “where would you like me to wait?”

“You can stay here? Or do you have something you need to do?” her voice is soft.

“I have a couple of calls, but they can wait… I think I would prefer to just sit in, is that okay? I’m not encroaching in any way, am I?”

She shakes her head from side to side.

“Perfect,” I say in a whisper.

“Do you need anything Titus?” Carter asks, looking over in my direction.

“I’ve got some emails to work on, I don’t suppose you have a spare laptop laying around at all?” I ask, “Only if it’s not too much trouble of course.”

“Parker,” Carter snaps at his son, and Parker scrambles to his father’s side. “Go grab Titus a laptop please.”

I half expect Parker to answer back, but he gives his dad a respectful nod, “Good boy,” Carter praises and gives his son a pat on the back before he walks out the room and follows his daddy’s orders like the good little dog he is.

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

“You fucker,” Amora’s eyes flutter shut before she tips her head down and smirks.

“What?” my brows pinch together, confused.

“You know what…” she sighs, turning and walking back towards the top of the table, pulling out her chair and sitting down.

I just stand, dumbfounded. I have no idea what she is on about.

I turn and then I let my smile creep onto my lips, I know exactly what I did. I take my own seat up the other end of the table and when I finally look up, I catch her eyes on me. My heart beats a little harder and I throw her a gentle wink and I don’t miss the blush that creeps onto her cheeks as she looks away.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

AMORA

TWO WEEKS LATER

“WHAT?!” I screech, slamming my hands down on my father’s desk.

“You heard me, no more work,” I see my father’s gaze lift from me and focus on something behind me and I know he is looking at Titus.

“Why? What has changed in the last two weeks that means I now can’t go to work?”

“Drop it Amora, now.” My father’s voice is stern, and I know better than to continue but I can’t bite my tongue. Something is going on, and either Titus doesn’t know and is being kept in the dark or he is being ignorant.

“Tell me, come on… I’m a big girl, I’m sure I can handle it,” my nostrils flare, my hands pressed firmly against his desk.

“It’s just not safe Amora, after the package we received a couple of weeks back, I just don’t think it’s wise for you to go to work anymore. I promise I’m not hiding anything from you. Can you just trust me for one second of your life,” my father’s tone changes and I feel my skin prickle.

“I have trusted you, Daddy. More than I wish I did sometimes… but right now… no, I can’t trust you,” I shake my head from side to side, my stomach tightening, and nausea rolls through me. I swallow the tennis ball sized lump down with all my might and back out towards the entrance of the room, turning so my father doesn’t see the tears that are beginning to fill in my eyes. He doesn’t deserve my tears.

---