Page 21 of Avenging Azalea (California Made Men #2)

Chapter

Sixteen

TITUS

Nathaniel had gone in to sit with Savannah now that she was out of surgery. Everyone else had left, but I couldn’t. What happened and how it happened played on repeat in my mind.

“Nathaniel, have you lost your fucking mind?” Ronan barked out now that the bullets had stopped.

If Nathaniel had wanted to hit us, we’d be dead. These were warning shots meant to get our attention, which was a hell of a way to do it.

“That’s a funny question, considering our father not only sold me out but would kill any of us if it suited him,” Nathaniel growled.

My father stood, eyes wary, but face twisted with an arrogance only he could pull off.

“What the hell are you talking about,” Father asked.

Nathaniel flipped the safety on his gun and advanced on Father.

When he was close enough, Ronan stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

Nathaniel didn’t say anything, but Ronan must have sensed the same thing that I did.

Nathaniel’s eyes were filled with a murderous rage that only came with years of discord that had finally come to a head.

“Are you denying it,” Nathaniel asked.

“I think you’ll find any excuse to turn on me. You have an uncontrollable temper, Nathaniel, and it is always aimed in my direction,” Father said.

Wrong choice of words. My eyes stayed trained on Nathaniel’s hand, specifically his trigger finger. Nathaniel laughed, and the hair stood up on the back of my neck.

“Such a good actor. At one time, I would’ve believed you. I might even have agreed with you. But now I know it’s not in my head.”

He held out his phone, and a voice message began to play.

What the fuck? It was Father making a deal with Romeo Mancini.

Romeo would leak information on Savannah to his uncle Aldo, and Nathaniel would learn about Cutter, putting all of them in extreme danger.

Father had played on Nathaniel’s rage to eliminate threats with no care for the outcome.

The room was silent when it ended. Father sat at his desk, a little paler, organizing his paperwork. Ronan dropped his hands from Nathaniel’s shoulder, his eyes wide in shock.

“Jesus fuck. Is that how you really feel,” I asked, breaking the silence. Father slowly turned his eyes up to me but didn’t say anything. “We’re all just expendable? You were willing to let Nathan’s son die if it suited you? Your grandson?”

“Obviously, I played it up to Romeo. It was a power move the family needed.”

Father waved his hand in the air, dismissing the pain his actions caused as ridiculous. I’d never known anyone who could so easily gaslight everyone around them.

Nathaniel suddenly lunged for the desk, but Ronan grabbed him before he could strike Father. I wouldn’t interfere this time, maybe never again.

Then just like the universe chose that moment to drive a stake through our family forever, the call came in that Savannah had been shot while shopping.

Pacing the waiting room wasn’t as effective as I’d hoped in wrapping my brain around any of this. How had our family fallen so far apart that our father would sell us for a favor, or more money, or whatever else he wanted?

“You’re still here?”

Nathaniel looked like hell when I turned around to face him.

He was my baby brother, but I’d always admired his tenacity and guts.

There were so many times over the years that I wished I didn’t care about keeping our family together.

One question looped around in my head as I stared into his pain-filled eyes…

was any of this my fault? If I hadn’t talked Nathaniel into staying with the family, would Savannah have been shot?

Was their unborn child at risk right now, all for my dream of peace among the Mikhailovs?

“I’m not going anywhere,” I said, pulling my brother into a hug. “Is she okay?”

“Savannah is stable and resting, but I needed a moment.” Nathaniel pulled away and blinked back tears. “I’m going to tell you something, and I need you to listen. Don’t try to talk me out of doing this.”

I wouldn’t blame him for killing Father, but could I let him?

“I’m pulling my legitimate businesses from Mikhailov Enterprises.

Every single one under my name. Then I’m going to spend the rest of my life making Father regret ever coming after my family.

He knew about Savannah and Cutter, kept it from me because he didn’t trust her, and then…

.” His teeth ground together as he took a deep breath.

“That man doesn’t know the meaning of family, and I will kill him if I stay. ”

“I completely understand,” I said, gripping Nathaniel’s shoulder.

“Will you come work with me,” Nathaniel asked, surprising me.

“You want me to work for you?”

“Titus, you’re my brother, but you’re also my best friend.

Yes, I want to steal you away from Father.

You deserve more. He has always underutilized your talents.

You’re an incredible negotiator have an engineering and architectural background, and if you cut business ties with him, I’ll make you an equal partner. ”

“You’re serious?”

“I am.”

“You’ve had a traumatic day. Why don’t we have this conversation once Savannah is home?”

Nathaniel shook his head.

“I’ve never been clearer on anything when it comes to our family and my business. I stayed because a part of me hoped that Father would look at me like he does Ronan. I craved his acceptance and praise as much as I hated him and myself for wanting it.”

Nathaniel walked over to one of the chairs and sat down. I sat beside him and waited for him to continue.

“I’m done, and there is no going back for me after this.

I look at Cutter and can’t ever imagine treating him the way that father has me my whole life.

Having Cutter in my life has reinforced what I already knew.

Father doesn’t love me. Maybe not any of us.

But even if he does, his actions are unforgivable. ”

He stood and squeezed my shoulder. Nathaniel’s eyes were filled with a calm that I wasn’t used to seeing in him. It was almost more terrifying than the rage that consumed him at times.

“Think about it. I’ll make an official statement to the press as soon as Savannah is out of here, and my lawyers start the division process tomorrow. There is no one that I’d rather have sitting at the table with me than you, Titus.”

“I don’t need to think about it,” I said, standing up and pulling him into a hard hug. “I’d be honored to work side-by-side with you.”

He gripped me back, and I could feel the relief even if he didn’t say the words.

“Go home and get some sleep, Titus. By the end of the week, there won’t be any going back. If you change your mind, no hard feelings, brother.”

I nodded and watched Nathaniel walk away. This family would never be the same again, and my father had no one to blame but himself.

Needing to clear my head, I drove around in circles before going home. Naji was outside, having a smoke, when I pulled into the driveway. He crushed it out and walked over as soon as I parked.

“Hey, how’s Nathaniel and his family?”

I shook my head.

“He’s not good, but his wife is going to live.”

Looking up at my house and then in the direction of my father’s home just down the street, I’d never been happier that I chose to move out.

“Listen, shit is going to get strained with my family. Make sure everyone is on high alert. If we need to hire more guys, go ahead. I trust your judgement.”

Naji’s eyebrow shot up. “That sounds like more than a strain in the relationship.”

“More like an unfixable fracture. I’ll fill you in more later.”

“You got it, boss. Oh, and Fawn is still awake. She’s been waiting up for you,” Naji said before walking away.

There was an instant spark in my chest, and I walked into the house with a new purpose. Seeing Fawn, if only for a minute, seemed like the most crucial thing in the world. The girls came running from the den, and I took a moment to greet each of them.

Fawn paused the movie she was watching and jumped up as soon as she saw me. She started forward and then stopped. Biting her lip, she stuffed her hands into the pocket of her hoodie. God, I hated this awkwardness between us.

“You waited up,” I said, stating the obvious. I didn’t know where to start or what to reveal about what had happened and what was coming. I’d worked hard to keep Fawn away from my family and anything to do with the Mikhailov name.

“Yeah, I want to know how Savannah is and to make sure you’re okay.”

Sighing, I looked at the television, where a couple was frozen on the screen. More than once, I’d wished that I could pause life, stop the insanity, and take a breath.

“It was a close call, but Savannah is strong. She’s pregnant, too.”

Fawn gasped and covered her mouth.

“Oh my god.”

“Yeah. Savannah pulled through surgery, and so far, she and the baby are stable. They’ll keep her for a few days at least.”

“How’s your brother handling everything?”

“He’s pissed. I wouldn’t want to be the person he’s going after.”

I didn’t elaborate and tried not to stare, but I couldn’t seem to look away.

Fuck, she was so beautiful, and had no idea.

Fawn loved to curl up in hoodies that would fit me, fuzzy socks, and stretchy pants.

She called them her comfy clothes but fuck if they didn’t turn me on as much as lingerie would.

Closing my eyes, I pinched the bridge of my nose and forced myself not to go there.

It was treacherous territory filled with landmines that neither of us could navigate.

“I made dinner and saved you a plate. I can heat it if you want.”

Instead of going to bed like I knew I should, I sat down on the couch. My body and heart didn’t want to leave this room, and apparently, my head was overruled.

“No, that’s okay. I’m not hungry,” I said.

Fawn sat down beside me, pulled her legs up under her like she always did, and stared at me.

“This is probably the worst time ever, but…can I ask you a question?”