Page 53 of Titan

“You’re recording me,” I force out through gritted teeth.

“What?” Kathleen’s eyes widen, and she forces an expression of innocence, but she isn’t the actress in the family. She reaches for the phone, pulling it to her as if she’s worried I might lunge for it. “I wouldn’t do that to you, honey.”

“You stole all my money.” I laugh. “What’s a little spying compared to that?”

I don’t wait to hear her response. I shove my chair back and, grabbing my purse, almost turn into the waiter. He’s carrying our matching salads, and his expression transforms to one of panic as he looks from my red-faced mother to me.

“She’s paying,” I announce before sliding past him and shoving my way out of the restaurant.

I don’t know if she follows me. It’s several blocks before I allow myself to take a full breath. When I do, it’s in front of an imposing copper and stone art deco building.

Steps curve around the side of the building, and I sit at the top of them, elbows on my knees as I try to slow my breathing. It doesn’t work. My chest heaves and my hands shake with pent-up adrenaline. I grip my knees tightly, knuckles turning white, until finally my body starts to slow down.

Just as I feel like I could maybe stand again, a new and disturbing sensation races over my skin and pricks at the back of my neck

I’m being watched.

I move slowly, not wanting to tip off my watcher. I don’t see anyone around me. Cars drive by at dizzying speeds, and no other pedestrians are within view. It looks like it’s going to rain, a near guarantee that Angelenos will stay inside. I stand, turning to look back at the building. The windows appear blacked out from the inside, so I look up higher, and I see him.

Wings tucked into his side and tail coiled at his feet, Titan is perched on the third story ledge of the building. He is out of place for the architectural style but remains so still that I could swear the architect had designed his building with an unusual gargoyle feature. Just a single menacing figure, tucked away at the side of the building, to scare away danger and protect all inside.

My shoulders drop, and the tension that pulls my face into a tight mask of control loosens.

Titan jumps from his position, wings outstretched as he glides to the ground of the alleyway. I’ve never seen him fly without being in his arms, never seen it in this light. He is beautiful and terrifying.

“Are you okay, Julianna?” He strides towards me the moment he lands, his eyes on the main street in front of us.

“Yes,” I answer quickly, then look back out to the street. “Someone will see you.”

“They’re driving too fast.” He smiles. I like the way his firm lips catch on his jutting fangs, the twin points framing his smile. “If it makes you feel better, I kept above the clouds until the last moment, and when I fly you out of here, I will do the same.”

“It does make me feel better.” It might be the only thing that makes me feel better after the meeting I just had.

Titan steps closer. His claws wrap around my upper arms, and he pulls me close. Not too close, not a hug, but just enough that I’m warmed by the heat of his chest.

“Why did you see your mother, baby girl?” Titan asks.

“You saw us at the restaurant?” I ask in surprise.

“I saw you as you were leaving. Your mother attempted to follow you out but didn’t get far.”

I don’t bother asking him how he knows what my mother looks like. I’m sure Stiel gave him the lowdown on me before I ever stepped foot in the penthouse that first night.

“I met with my mom because I’m an idiot.” I drop my forehead onto his chest, and his hands quickly shift, one to my upper back and the other cradling the crown of my head.

He pulls me in closer. I want to scream. I open my mouth to do it. I feel my lips stretch to their limit, my teeth bared and my tongue pressed down to my palate, but no sound comes out.

“You can scream at me if it will help, baby girl.” Titan drags a single claw through my hair, detangling where my speedy escape mussed it.

I look up at him, my eyes wet, and laugh.

“Why would I scream at you?”

“To let it out, to let out what is hurting you.”

He looks at me, and I see my pain mirrored in his marble eyes. He is serious. He would let me scream at him in this alleyway in the middle of the day. He is giving me permission to release all my anger, to use him as a willing punching bag.

“I… I…” I kiss his chest, quick and light against the rock-hard muscle, and pull back. “Thank you.”

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