Page 56 of Avenging Azalea (California Made Men #2)

Chapter

Forty-Three

TITUS

My entire body was alive. My blood was singing after what we’d just done in my office, and I couldn’t wait to get home and do it all over again.

I looked over at Fawn as she laughed, her sweet voice the only music needed in the car.

I smiled at her as we talked, and I drove to the other side of town.

This was one place I’d never pictured taking Fawn.

Holding her hand, I rubbed my thumb over the blank space where an engagement ring would go.

That would be corrected very soon. It might seem rushed to the outside world after the very public engagement to Vera and the subsequent canceling of our wedding.

Those who loved to share tea would be all over me and Fawn, tying the knot.

But it couldn’t be helped. I wanted to marry her, and I didn’t trust my father.

He was sneaky, and after what he’d already pulled, the sooner we made our marriage official, the safer we would be.

“So, where exactly are we going for dinner?”

“One of my favorite restaurants. It hasn’t been awarded Michelin stars, but they are truly a hidden gem and should’ve received one long ago,” I said.

Fawn loved authentic Chinese food. I’d brought take-out home from Mrs. Chen’s in the past, but never said where it was from.

“Well, this sounds interesting. Did I dress up enough,” Fawn asked, her voice filled with worry as she looked down at the dress that I was dying to rip off her body.

I smirked. “No need to worry about that.”

The Chen’s building stood out with red and gold accents that glinted against the white and grey of the other buildings in this neighborhood.

Fawn’s confusion seemed to grow as we pulled up and parked in front.

She stared at the doors of the packed restaurant.

It was always busy, no matter the time of day, which had proven a bonus for our side business.

“I’m not complaining, but aren’t we overdressed for a family restaurant?”

“Trust me, everyone will stare no matter what you’re wearing because you’re that beautiful.”

Fawn blushed and looked at me like I was being preposterous.

Laughing, I got out and buttoned my suit jacket as I walked around to open Fawn’s door. Holding out my hand, I helped her out of my Lamborghini. She looked up and down the dark street, and I could tell what she was thinking.

“Don’t worry about the car. Everyone in this neighborhood knows me and what I drive. It’s perfectly safe,” I said, extending my elbow for her to take.

“This is all very mysterious,” she said, as I reached to open the glass door. We were instantly hit with the heat of so many people, jubilant noise, and the delicious scent of food all at the same time.

The crowd was a mix of those from the neighborhood simply here for a meal, and the men and women that Mrs. Chen had on her payroll. I nodded to the ones I knew as I guided Fawn toward the back of the restaurant and the booth that Mrs. Chen kept open for me.

Fawn sat down and scooted around to the center. I followed her in and stretched my arm along the seat behind her. She understood me better than anyone and not only knew exactly what I wanted, but also took the invitation to snuggle closer as she picked up the menu.

“Oh my gosh, everything sounds amazing,” Fawn said, just as Mrs. Chen appeared from the kitchen door near us.

“That’s because it’s all the best,” Mrs. Chen said, and waved at the menu. “No need for that, we’ll bring you some of everything, our treat.”

Fawn looked totally bewildered by the generous gesture.

“Thank you, that’s so kind.”

“Ha. I’m just trying to get Titus to come around more often. His brother Ronan has too big of a head and he eats like a pig at a trough,” Mrs. Chen said, making me smile.

She turned her stern stare on me, and I knew with one glance that I was going to get an earful.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been busy.”

Mrs. Chen scoffed and crossed her arms.

“I heard. You are leaving all of us for Nathaniel,” she said with genuine hurt in her eyes.

“Not everything has been separated. Once the dust settles, I fully intend to be the one here on my family’s behalf. Besides, it gives me a good excuse to come and get the best dim sum in the city.”

“Ha…state,” she scolded, but her mouth twitched with a smile.

“You’re right, in the state. I stand corrected.”

“Fine…you are forgiven for now. But we will see if you keep your promise,” Mrs. Chen said, putting her hands on her hips.

Fawn watched our interaction closely, and I knew she was wondering how Mrs. Chen and I were acquainted.

“I wouldn’t dare not keep my promise. I want to introduce you to someone. This is Fawn, my…” I stopped, unsure what to call our relationship at the moment.

“I’m his better half,” Fawn said teasingly.

I smirked at how she jumped in to rescue me from my blunder. Smiling, Fawn reached out to Mrs. Chen. When Mrs. Chen gripped her hand, I knew Fawn had her approval.

“I like her. I hope this means you’re not marrying that turkey vulture,” Mrs. Chen said, waving her hand around like something was above her head.

“Damn buzzards are always flying around looking for their next meal. I thought she was going to carry off your carcass after she picked the meat from your bones.”

Fawn burst out laughing as I shook my head.

“No, thankfully, that is over. Never should’ve happened to begin with,” I said, looking at Fawn. Our eyes met, and a deep blush crept across her cheeks.

“I’ll go check on your food and bring you some water.”

Mrs. Chen turned and disappeared through the door to the kitchen.

“I really like her. Why have we never come here before? You two seem to know one another well.” I opened my mouth, but Fawn held up her finger, stopping me. “Actually, don’t tell me yet. There is something I need to ask you, and I don’t want to get distracted again. Vera managed to do that once.”

“This sounds serious,” I said.

Fawn shifted in the booth so she could look at me, and I had an awful sinking feeling I knew where this was heading.

“I need you to be honest with me, Titus. Did you do something to Dr. Taylor?”

Yup, I was right. I honestly didn’t think Matt would rat me out, but I’d underestimated his determination to win Fawn.

“Why? What did he say?”

Fawn pressed her lips together as her eyebrow arched.

“Nothing, actually. But he was acting strange today. My schedule has been changed so that, other than for surgeries, we are never in the clinic alone. And now he’s taking someone else on the visits to local shelters. You don’t know anything about that, do you?”

Shit.

“Yes, I paid him a visit.”

Fawn practically growled. It was adorable and sexy, but I didn’t dare say that.

“Are you kidding me? Titus, you said you trusted me. You had no right to interfere in my work.”

“I do trust you. I don’t trust him. Yes, I may have gone a little more aggressively than needed, but I had to be sure. There was something far too perfect about him. I mean, why is a successful man who is that handsome, fit, and rich, not married?”

“That was your bad guy flag? That he was too nice and not hitched with kids?”

I swallowed as she crossed her arms.

“When you put it like that, it sounds worse. But Fawn, you have to understand that everyone around us can always be a potential threat. I needed to check him out.”

“Uh, huh. Try selling me another story because I’m not buying this one. You were fine with me working there for months, literal months, until we took Sheba in and you got a look at him. Now suddenly, he is a threat. Nope, I don’t believe it.”

“I can’t say I’m sorry. I wish I could. But if that’s what you’re hoping for, it’s not going to happen. Fawn…I will do anything to keep you and to keep you safe. If that means I piss you off…I don’t know what to say.”

“Titus, I wanted you to believe me that I’d taken care of it. I told you that I spoke to Matt, and he understood. Even if he had asked me out again, I’d never go. Do you think I’m that weak-minded, or that untrustworthy?”

I grabbed Fawn’s hand, tugging it free of her crossed arms. She was reluctant at first, but gave in and let me link our fingers together.

“No, I don’t think any of those things.”

“Then please trust me. I just lost a friend because of what you did. He seemed terrified. I’d probably be out on my ass, looking for a new job, if he weren’t so scared of what you might do. That’s not normal.”

Sighing, I waited until the server had set our waters down and walked away before continuing.

“Fawn, there are some things that I just can’t change.

One of those is how I react to threats. I’m sorry you lost a friendship.

But nothing in my world is normal, which means nothing in our world is the same as it once was.

I will always be extra cautious, most of all with you, because you are the single most important person in my life.

There is no taking that lightly. That’s how people end up dead. ”

Fawn cast her eyes down as she nibbled her bottom lip. For once, I couldn’t read what she was thinking. Her face was a mix of a million emotions and thoughts.

“I trust you, Fawn. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t.”

Fawn looked up at me once more.

“This place is our top money laundering operation. Mrs. Chen not only owns the best restaurant I know, but also has ties to the Yakuza. The Mikhailovs have been dealing with her and her connections for years. We are practically family, and we both know the score.”

The door chimed as a couple walked in, and I pointed.

“For example, that couple could be diners out for a great meal, or they could be FBI looking to spy on our network. They could even be members of a rival organization looking to learn what they can to attack us. The man outside picking through the garbage could be homeless or an undercover cop. Every person is a threat. So yes, to me, Dr. Taylor was a threat, just an even larger one because…well, because of my feelings.”

Fawn’s features softened as she sighed and relaxed into me.

“Why is it you always know exactly what to say to get me to forgive you?”

I chuckled, draping my arm over her shoulders.

“Because you know that it comes from a place of love, not control. I never want to control you, and I do trust you, but sometimes…sometimes you’ll just have to get used to being annoyed with me.”

Fawn’s lip turned up as she looked up at me.

“Do I get mind-blowing makeup sex?”

Smiling, I dropped my lips to Fawn’s and kissed her, teasing her until she was wiggling beside me. I broke the kiss and groaned as I traced my lips in a soft line to her ear, not caring who was around.

“I’m pretty sure we can make that part of the deal,” I whispered, smiling.

Fawn gripped my jacket with her fists. Yeah, we were going to be just fine.