Page 223 of Whispers of Wisteria

“Um…” Why would he say it like that? Wasn’t it obvious? “I know?”

It was his turn.

Titus’s expression darkened. “No. You don’t understand.”

“What’s there to understand?”

“He won’t do it,” he said flatly.

“Oh.” Well… I wasn’t going to force him. Still, he was so clingy and codependent it didn’t make any sense. “Why?”

“We don’t know,” Titus said, rubbing the back of his neck. “He won’t say. I think hewantsto, but is afraid you’ll be targeted because of who he is.”

I flipped my hair over my shoulder. “Well that’s stupid. I’ll talk to him.”

“Good luck with that,” Titus said.

I wouldn’t need luck; this wasmy job. I’d make him see the light. It was for his own good.

“Oh boy.” Titus rolled his eyes. He grabbed my hand, weaving his fingers through mine.

We went back inside. The candlelight flickered across the table like nothing had changed, even though my coffee was cold. Titus ordered a new one and pressed his foot against mine.

It was like everything was back to normal.

But I knew better. Damen was refusing the Soul Bond for some reason. Jason was still out there. And there was something else…

There was a darkness gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. Something I needed to remember—a feeling that wasn’t quite mine.

I pushed my toes against Titus’s foot and willed the feeling away.

For tonight, I could pretend. Tomorrow, I wasn’t so sure.

I didn’t cometo this part of the house often, but it seemed like every time I did, it was to clear up some kind of misunderstanding with my brothers or to learn something new.

Still, even though I thought I was ready, I couldn’t bring myself to knock on Brayden’s door.

But it was inevitable now, and I wanted to understand. If I were going to do this thing, then it should be done correctly.

That didn’t make it any less terrifying.

I was standing there for what felt like forever, unable to move, when his door opened.

Brayden made a sound and jumped back, startled, but quickly regained his composure. He looked down the hallway to where Damen’s front lobby was lit some dozen feet away. “How long were you standing out here?”

“A while?” I replied. What difference did it make?

His mouth turned down and his forehead wrinkled. “What happened?”

“I—I’m still scared,” I told him.

“Scared?” He frowned. “What’s wrong?”

I bit my lip and pushed my toes against the hard floor. I knew what I wanted to say, but I couldn’t seem to find the words.

“Hey, come here.” Brayden grabbed my hand and pulled me into the room. I glanced at the impersonal decor as he led me to his bed and had me sit on the blue and white comforter.

He knelt in front of me, expression serious. “Talk to me.”