Page 371 of Fated Mates of the Titan Empire

“Not for nobody’s mom,” I said. “Capiche?”

“Capiche?”

“Understand?”

“Yes. But what does capiche mean?”

“It means understand.”

“Oh. Yes. I capiche.”

I narrowed my eyes. Was he deliberately trying to annoy me?

Silence heightened the space between us and made it hum with energy. I didn’t think I was the only one who felt it. It crushed me like a submarine hitting new depths, drawing his lips closer and closer.

Boy, I wanted to claim those things right now…

Control yourself, wench!

I extended my hand.

He just stared at it.

“Take it,” I said.

He did, but awkwardly, like a germophobe.

I rolled my eyes and shook his hand.

“This is how we say we agree to a deal on Earth,” I said.

Dyrel clenched his fist and brought it to his chest.

“And this is how we say it among my people,” he said.

I mimicked the gesture.

We’d made a deal.

I only hoped it wasn’t a deal with the devil.

“I am not wearing that thing,” I said.

Okhet turned the cloak to one side so she could peer closer at it.

“What’s wrong with it?” she said.

“I’ll look like a character in the Handmaid’s Tale!” I said. “That’s the problem with it!”

I recoiled the moment Okhet held it up for me to slip on. I already felt icky with having been literally sold and handed over to Dyrel.

“But it’s traditional,” Okhet said.

I sighed.

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll put it on. For you.”

I slipped my arms into it. It was heavy and warm. It wasn’t so bad. I embraced Okhet.

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