Page 42 of Avenging Azalea (California Made Men #2)

Chapter

Thirty-Two

TITUS

There were good things about separating from Mikhailov Enterprises, but I wasn’t prepared for the extra workload.

It gave me a whole new appreciation for my father and what he had done before we were old enough to help.

Building an empire from the ground up took a dedication that was blowing my mind.

I’d never been one to shy away from hard work, but the things that needed to be accomplished daily were piling up faster than they could be completed.

I envied my baby brother for his ability to take a meeting, read a contract, and write an email all at the same time. It was a wonder watching him in his groove.

Naji knocked at my open home office door. “Boss?”

“Let me just finish this email,” I said, typing out the last line and clicking on send. “Yes, Naji? Do you have that information on Neil Carmichael?”

“No, not yet. He moved since our last visit, and even my contacts within Cesare’s organization don’t know where he is. Fawn’s mother, on the other hand, is working in one of Cesare’s casinos as a waitress.”

I sat back in my chair. “So, she left him?”

Naji shrugged. “He left or she did. I don’t know. But there is no sign of him, and she is living with some of the other female employees at a communal home. She has a bedroom there.”

“Interesting. Sounds like he didn’t take my advice and is now on the run from someone else. I assume you haven’t gotten any word that the man is dead?” Naji shook his head. “Good, I want him to pay before he dies. Keep me posted.”

“I will, but there was another reason I wanted to speak to you.”

This didn’t sound good. “From the look on your face, I feel like I need to prepare myself for bad news.”

“Honestly, yes. While we were taking that meeting across town earlier, your father’s car came to the house.”

“Alright, I’ll call him. God only knows what he wants,” I said with a sigh.

“No, Boss. He wasn’t here for you. He picked up Fawn. The guards didn’t think to say anything when we got back. They assumed you were aware. I’ve corrected that assumption, but it doesn’t change the fact that your father has her.”

My stomach dropped to the floor as I shot to my feet and grabbed my gun off the desk in one fluid movement.

That man just couldn’t leave well enough alone.

I’d already agreed to marry Vera, so there was no need to drag Fawn into this.

There wasn’t any doubt that he was trying to interfere with mine and Fawn’s relationship, but if he took it further…

if he forced her to become one of his girls… he was dead.

I shrugged on my coat as I marched for the front door, Naji by my side and all six dogs following like a line of soldiers.

“Get in touch with his driver. I want to know where they went,” I ordered.

“Already done. Dimitri took her to Stoneridge,” Naji said, and I growled under my breath, as every swear word came to mind.

The front door opened as we reached the foyer, and Fawn walked inside. She was looking down into her purse and screamed in surprise when I grabbed her and pulled her into a hug.

“Oh my god, Titus. You scared me.”

I pulled back, looking her over. There was no sign of abuse, her hair was in a perfect twist, and her makeup was untouched. Yet, I still couldn’t help asking.

“Did he fucking touch you?” Fawn’s eyes went wide. “Answer me, Fawn. Did my father touch you?”

“What? No. How do you even know who I was with? Are you keeping tabs on me?”

“No, I just found out. But that’s not the issue here. I gave you a direct order never to go near my father, and not only did you go out with him alone, but you didn’t tell me.”

Fawn straightened her spine as she stepped back from my touch.

“Don’t talk to me like I’m some child, Titus.”

My rage and worry were spiking and leaving me in a state that I wasn’t sure how to control. She had no idea the danger she was in just by being alone with him. I pointed at the door.

“I told you never to see him unless I was with you. That man is dangerous. We’ve talked about this more than once, and yet you disobeyed a direct order.”

“I don’t work for you, and we are not together.

So I don’t take orders from you.” Fawn poked me in the chest. “And I went because I’m an adult now and free to make my own choices, just like you did when you agreed to marry Vera.

You can’t keep acting like a jealous boyfriend, Titus. You are the reason we aren’t together.”

Fawn turned to walk away, and I grabbed her arm. Sheba growled, and I shook my head. Unbelievable, first Fawn and now Sheba was acting out against me.

“First, I’m not acting like a jealous boyfriend.

I’m concerned because you have no idea who you’re dealing with.

My father has no moral compass, and you don’t want to know the things he is willing to do to get his way.

Second, I am not ordering you like an employee, but because you live in my home, and that comes with rules to keep you safe.

They are not in place for fun, to obey on a whim, or for you to use to get under my skin. ”

“Is that what you think I’m doing? Trying to get under your skin?”

“What other reason would you have for sneaking around with my father against my wishes, Fawn?”

Fawn jerked on her arm, and I let go.

“For your information, my meeting with your father had nothing to do with you.”

“Then what did he want?”

Fawn licked her lips. “He was curious when I was moving out.” I snarled and swore. “I told him that he had nothing to worry about. I’ve already found a great place and I’m leaving in a few days.”

I stumbled back like Fawn had just punched me.

“What?”

“I told you I was leaving, and that I couldn’t be here once you were married to Vera. This is not news. School starts up again in three weeks, and I don’t want to be moving at the same time.”

“When were you going to tell me?”

Fawn crossed her arms, and for a moment, I didn’t think she was going to speak.

“Tomorrow. I was going to talk to you at breakfast. But there you go, now you know. If there isn’t anything else, I’m going to bed. I’ve got work in the morning.”

Fawn stormed up the stairs with the dogs in her wake, making it clear who they were siding with in the situation.

“Well…that went smoothly,” Naji said. I turned my glare on him. “Want a drink?”

“I think I’m going to need two.”

Naji clapped me on the shoulder. I let him guide me toward the den and pulled out my cell.

T: What the fuck do you think you’re doing, taking Fawn out for dinner? What game are you playing?

D: I see that Fawn has already spoken to you. That happened faster than I anticipated.

T: Answer the question.

D: This girl has been in your life for years, and I was tired of you not bringing her around to get to know the family. She is quite the woman. I can see why you’re so protective.

T: Don’t give me the placating lies. She told me that you wanted to know when she was moving out. What Fawn does or does not do is none of your business.

D: I won’t deny it. I asked. She is interfering with your head and emotions, where Ms. Vilanova is concerned.

If you don’t think I can see the conflict in you, son, then you’re not as smart as you think you are.

She needs to leave so that you can move on with your life.

You are marrying Vera. This is not up for negotiation.

T: I don’t give a fuck what you think, and I know my obligations.

I don’t need you pushing your way into my personal life where you aren’t welcome.

Don’t come near Fawn again. Don’t call her, text her, or even accidentally run into her.

I mean it, Father, or you will lose more than just me walking away from the company.

D: Do not threaten me, son.

T: It’s not a threat, it’s a promise. Leave Fawn alone. That is an unconditional demand if you want me to continue with this farce of a marriage to Vera. If not, I will call it off and let you deal with the Curators on your own.

D: Fine, you have my word that I will not be the one contacting her.

I narrowed my gaze at my phone. That seemed too easy. The son of a bitch was up to something, I could feel it in my bones. The question was, what did he have up his sleeve? One thing was very clear. If he hurt Fawn, then I wouldn’t be able to control what I did to him next.