Theirs to Corrupt (Titans Captivated #5)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

Tessa

“We prefer that you think of yourself as our guest,” Link responds.

“Guest?” Hysteria bubbles up inside me. What the hell have I gotten myself into? These men, demanding and powerful, have me trapped.

Link’s jaw is clenched, his eyes blazing.

Pax’s expression is calmer, but his jaw is set too.

The way they fill the space of the kitchen, all broad shoulders and raw masculinity, makes me feel small, vulnerable.

Link stands near the kitchen island, his posture tense, while Pax finally steps back, giving me some much-needed space.

“Why don’t you have a seat, Tessa,” Pax says, his voice gentle but firm, letting me know this is an order, not an invitation.

His words jolt me from my spiraling thoughts.

Without their permission, I won’t get far, and I need a minute to regain my composure.

“Let’s talk about this,” he encourages, walking to the coffee maker to dump lots of grounds into the basket.

I take my time, reluctant to move away from my escape route but realizing I have little choice.

My legs are wobbly as I make my way to one of the barstools at the island, and I perch on the edge of the seat.

Moments later, the rich aroma of the much-needed caffeine fills the air.

The normalcy seems surreal.

Then I scoff. There’s nothing normal about sharing a kitchen with a billionaire and his bodyguard who have me locked in the house.

When Pax finally slides a mug in front of me, I trace the gold-colored logo on the front, and I see the name Hawkeye Security. The firm he works for?

My eyes widen when he pulls a carton of hazelnut creamer out of the fridge and places it in front of me. The flavor is my favorite. How does he know?

I shake my head.

He doesn’t know. He was in my house—without my permission.

“Sugar?” he asks, reaching for a container.

“No. Thank you.” The words come out automatically, more from habit than genuine gratitude. If it were up to me, I’d be miles away, maybe in another city, maybe New Orleans or Miami, trying to lose myself in the crowds.

Link’s gaze burns into me as I wrap my hands around the beverage, glad to have something to occupy my shaking hands.

Between us, the silence stretches and grows, thick with unspoken tension.

When Link finally speaks, his voice is tight with barely contained frustration. “There are things you need to know before making any rash decisions, Tessa.”

“Then why don’t you damn well enlighten me?” And let me get on with my life.

Pax leans his hips against the counter, studying me above his drink, his shockingly jade-green eyes intense. “While you were sleeping, your phone rang.”

“That’s not possible,” I insist. “I turned it off.”

“Clearly not,” Link fires back.

I sigh. Sometimes one of the buttons on the side of the secondhand device doesn’t function the way it should, but I’m not about to admit that to them.

“It was Natalie,” Pax continues, his voice not as harsh as Link’s. “I answered.”

Who the hell do these men think they are? “You had no right?—”

Link interrupts me. “She called because the lock on your apartment door was broken.”

The mug slips from my grasp, clattering against the island. Coffee splashes across the marble surface and drips onto the floor. “Oh my God.”

Pax grabs a wad of paper towels and cleans up my mess. “I told her not to enter, but to get back in her car and drive somewhere public. A coffee shop, where there are a lot of people.”

I dig in my purse for my phone.

Sure enough, it shows an incoming call from Natalie several hours ago.

“I met her there.” Pax pours a second cup of coffee for me. “Then we went back to your apartment. After I made sure it was clear, I told her to come inside.”

Not trusting myself to be steady with my mug, I leave the drink untouched.

“Your place was ransacked.”

My world tilts again, and I grip the edge of the island to steady myself.

What if Natalie had been home? The full weight of what happened crashes over me.

Link’s jaw is tight as he regards me. “She’s okay.”

Has he read my mind?

“We put her up at a hotel,” Pax goes. “Under a false name. My associates handled notifying the authorities and dealing with your apartment management.”

My head is pounding. I need the coffee to help clear the fog.

“Before we left, I had her pack some belongings and some for you.”

So they didn’t go through my things. All my assumptions…

“Everything that’s been done has been to keep you safe and comfortable,” Link says. “Everything.”

Pax’s words finally penetrate my haze, and I’m filled with gratitude for what he did. “Thank you for taking care of Natalie.” My voice is hoarse with emotion. “I mean that.”

“And what about you?” Link demands.

Overwhelmed, I force out a breath and attempt to gather my fractured thoughts. “I appreciate what both of you have done.” More quietly, I add, “But I need the freedom to make my own choices.”

Once more, Pax’s calm voice cuts through the tension. “We know it’s a lot to take in.”

I can figure it out.

Have to figure it out.

First of all, I need to talk to Natalie so that we can make a plan to get out of Houston.

Guilt gnaws at me. Because of me, her life has been turned upside down.

“Look, Tessa…” Link drags a hand through his hair. “You already know your brother owes money to the mob.”

“And you were promised to Sartori,” Pax adds.

Despite myself, I shiver.

“This isn’t just about Axel anymore,” Link says, voice flat, cold. “Sartori wants what’s due him.”

Meaning…

“He’s part of the Chicago crew, Tessa.” He pauses. “The mob is after you.”

Link’s unemotional words are like a slap, reminding me of the harsh reality of my situation. Defeated, I sink against the back of my stool.

As always, the voice of reason, Pax says, “We’re trying to help you, Tessa, but you have to stop fighting us.”

“And trust us,” Link finishes.

“Trust you?” I laugh, a sharp, bitter sound. Link’s been warning me about the mob, but there are rumors about him as well. “I’ve seen pictures of you with?—”

“Tread carefully.” His order is laced with threat.

The warning ricocheting in my mind, I back off. Instead, I finish with, “I’ve traded one nightmare for another.”

Link and Pax look at one another.

“You don’t really have a choice.” Link’s tone is cold, chilling me. His blue eyes are dark with a gathering storm. “I am not letting Sartori have you. Which means one thing. You are going to marry me.”