Theirs to Corrupt (Titans Captivated #5)

Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

Tessa

Marry you?

I shake my head to clear it. There’s no way I could have heard him correctly.

“You need to think about it.”

Link’s suggestion is pure madness.

My mind reels as I try to grasp the implications of what he just said, but it’s drowned out by the frantic thumping of my heart in my ears. “You can’t mean that.”

“I assure you, I’ve thought this through completely.”

The earth beneath me shifts, and I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, teetering dangerously. My stomach churns, and I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly chilled despite the sunlight streaming into the room.

This isn’t happening. Can’t be happening.

I search his eyes for a hint of a joke, some sign that he’s messing with me. But Link’s expression is deadly serious. There’s no humor in his eyes, no hint of a smile on his perfect lips.

The realization that he means this crashes a wave of panic over me.

I take a step back, needing space, needing air, but the fact I can’t escape makes the walls close in around me. I’m being suffocated by the sheer absurdity of his proposal.

My thoughts scatter, and all I can think about is how wrong this is. How utterly impossible. I can’t marry him. I barely know him, and what I do know terrifies me. He’s the exact thing I’m running from. “No…” My voice trembles. “This is crazy.”

I turn away from him, looking out the window, desperate to escape that insanity that’s pressing down on me.

But there’s no way out.

“Accept it.”

I can feel his gaze on me, sharp and determined, and I swing back to face him.

Why me? The question burns in my mind, and before I can stop myself, I blurt out the question. “Why me?” I shake my head. “You can have any woman on the planet. In fact you’ve already had half of them. Why would you want to marry me?”

He takes a couple of steps toward me, coming closer but not threateningly so.

I tip my head back up to him, trying to find something, anything, in his expression to make sense of this.

His eyes—cold, searingly blue—are locked on me.

He takes yet another step in my direction.

Though he could reach out and touch me, he doesn’t.

“This isn’t about what I want, Tessa. It’s about what you need.”

His statement knifes down my spine. “No. I don’t need marriage.” To anyone. Especially him. Using logic, I state the obvious. “I don’t belong in your world.”

“You do,” he counters, his voice flat, inviting no argument. “More than you know.”

He reaches out then, and his fingers brush lightly against my arm. His touch rocks a shockwave of heat through me.

“You belong with me, Tessa. Now and forever.” His voice is low and firm, leaving no room for argument.

For a flicker of a moment, there’s a softness in his eyes, something that’s not calculating.

I want to pull away, to reject everything he’s saying, but I’m rooted to the spot, frozen by the certainty in his gaze and the sheer force of his powerful, masculine presence.

Link gently takes my shoulders, making it impossible to breathe. His grip is strong and sure but not painful.

I could escape if I wanted, but I don’t try.

Slowly he leans toward me.

He won’t try to kiss me. Right?

And if he does, I’ll shove him away.

Right?

“You’re mine, Tessa.” His voice is a rough whisper. “Soon you’ll accept that.”

His possessive statement swamps me with emotions I don’t know how to handle.

And then, with a sharp inhalation, he releases me and takes a step back.

Whatever gentleness I thought I saw earlier is gone, buried beneath his steel facade.

“I’m not marrying you,” I repeat, not sure which one of us I’m trying to convince.

“You’ll see that you don’t have a choice.” He pushes his hands into his pockets. “By tomorrow, you’ll be suggesting it yourself.”

No .

I want to scream, to argue, to tell him he’s wrong.

But as I stand there, staring at the enigmatic man who’s just claimed me, I wonder what’s driving him. He can’t possibly want to be tied to me any more than I want to be married to him.

Before I can fully process everything, Pax takes a step forward, breaking the tension that’s crackling between Link and me.

“This isn’t a decision you have to make right now.” He frowns at Link to keep him silent. Then he glances back at me. His green eyes are softer than I’ve ever seen them. “You’ve been through a lot.”

His suggestion gives me a sliver of hope—an escape, if only for a little while. The man is an oasis of calm in the storm that is Link Merritt.

Pax’s watch beeps loudly, and he swipes the screen. “Torin and Mira,” he says to Link.

Link nods tightly, and Pax taps his watch again.

“Who?” I ask with a frown.

“People we’ve been expecting,” Link replies, as if that explains anything.

“Look,” Pax says. “We’ll take this one step at a time.”

I nod.

Slowly a massive black SUV backs up the driveway and parks in front of Link’s vehicle.

Two people emerge, a tall, broad-shouldered man in jeans and a dark shirt, and a woman with her dark hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail.

Pax disarms the security system and opens the door before either has a chance to knock.

The moment they’re inside, Pax closes the door behind them and resets the alarm.

“Carter.” Pax shakes hands with the man. “You broke away from Nevada.”

“Need to stay sharp. And I enjoy fieldwork.” As he speaks, his gaze flickers to the woman, a look so charged with unspoken intimacy that I wonder if there is more between them than just a professional partnership.

“Araceli.” Pax smiles as he greets the woman.

“Torin Carter, Mira Araceli, meet Link Merritt and Tessa Tremaine. Link, Tessa, these are Torin Carter and Mira Araceli, two of Hawkeye’s best agents.”

“Ma’am.” Torin nods respectfully, his stunning features set in a mask of professionalism.

Mira, on the other hand, offers a warm, reassuring smile, and I like her immediately. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

“You’re in good hands, ma’am,” Mira says. “I promise.”

Good hands? These agents are here because of me?

Then Link speaks to me. “I want you protected when you leave the house.”

So I’m not a prisoner?

“No doubt you’ll want to see your friend. Natalie.”

“My…” This was his idea?

“She’s waiting for you. Pax and the other agents will take you.”

I’m momentarily speechless.

His lips quirk a little.

A smile? A truce? A little breathless, I manage, “Thank you.”

Pax places a hand on my shoulder. “You ready to go?”

I nod.

Once more, Pax disables the alarm. Torin and Mira exit first, scanning the area. For threats?

Surely this is overkill.

In the doorway, I stop and look over my shoulder.

Link has remained in place, legs spread, arms folded, studying me.

Unsure what to make of him, I shake my head and then follow the agents.

Pax is right behind me.

Once Mira seals Pax and I in the back seat of the SUV, he suggests I let Natalie know we’re on the way.

“Good idea.” Immediately I send the text.

Torin drives with the same quiet efficiency that seems to define him. Mira sits beside him. Her head seems to be constantly moving as she looks ahead, then in the side-view mirror.

Less than a minute later, Natalie responds to my message.

Can’t wait to see you. So many questions.

Then I drop my phone back into my purse and turn to Pax. “Where are we going?”

“Sterling Uptown.”

“The…?” Can things get any more surreal? The Uptown is one of Houston’s newest hotels and supposedly the most expensive ever built in the city. The place is reported to be opulent with amazing food and even a luxury car dealership in the lobby.

In my wildest dreams, I’d never be able to afford a single night there, and my rescuers have paid for a room there for someone they don’t even know? “Are you kidding me?”

“Their security measures are renowned.”

From what I’ve heard, getting a reservation at the Uptown takes a small miracle. “Surely there are other hotels in the city that have great security.” Where a one-night stay doesn’t cost more than my monthly rent.

“There are.”

“So why this one?”

“For you.”

“For…?” I blink.

“She matters to you.” His words are stated simply, as if the explanation is self-explanatory.

Link and Pax put my friend up at the best place in the city as a favor to me?

I can’t begin to think through what that means.

Finally we approach the hotel, but Torin bypasses the main entrance with its curved driveway, manicured lawn, beautiful fountain, and colorful awning.

“Where are we going?” I ask, turning to Pax with a frown.

“There’s a second entrance for high-profile guests.”

And we qualify?

Though I suppose nothing should surprise me anymore.

The turnoff is not marked, and it’s clearly meant to be far away from the prying eyes of the public.

Torin brings the SUV to a smooth stop, and he and Mira swiftly exit the vehicle without waiting for a valet.

They move with precision as they scan the surroundings and open the back door on Pax’s side.

This whole event feels a little like theater, but after how close I came to being abducted, I appreciate the caution.

“This vehicle stays here,” Torin instructs the valet who approaches.

“The keys, sir?” the man asks.

“No.” His tone leaving no room for argument.

“If you have an issue, take it up with your manager,” Pax advises, slipping the man a twenty as he steps out of the vehicle.

“Of course, sir.”

After Pax also takes in our surroundings, he extends a hand to help me out.

Though he closes his hand around mine reassuringly, he doesn’t linger.

The back entrance looms ahead, a stark contrast to the bright, inviting facade that we drove past a couple of minutes ago.

Mira and Torin fall into step—one in front, one behind us—as we swiftly move through the back of the hotel.

As opposed to the pictures I’ve seen in Scandalicious of the lobby, the corridors here are narrow and utilitarian. But still, the floors are polished, reflecting the soft overhead lights.

Pax leads us to a service elevator and presses the call button.

None of the hotel staff has paid any attention to us. Maybe these kinds of arrivals are not as unusual as I imagine.

Finally the doors open with a soft chime, and we are whisked upward.

When we arrive, I feel as if I’ve stepped into another world.

The hallway is wide with beautiful carpeting. Elegant artwork is hanging everywhere, and ceilings are adorned with stunning light fixtures.

We come to a door with two men positioned on either side.

Pax and Link also arranged security for Nat?

After silently acknowledging the agents, he knocks and announces himself.

After what seems like an eternity, I hear the sound of the deadbolt turning.

The door opens slowly, and Natalie peeks through the small crack.

“Natalie.” Relief floods me as the door swings open, and I see she looks okay—exhausted, but with her signature mismatched earrings glinting in the light.

“We’ll be right outside,” Pax says. “And?—”

“Keep the door locked. Don’t answer unless it’s one of the agents or you,” Natalie interrupts, shaking her head like she’s heard the safety drill a hundred times.

Pax raises an eyebrow, evidently amused by her attitude. “Exactly.”

Then he looks at me. Wishing I’d be that agreeable?

Not a chance.

With a tight nod, he pulls the door closed.

Once we’re sealed in tight, we fall into each other’s arms, and the worry and stress hit me hard, leaving me breathless.

“Oh my God, Nat. I’m so sorry. I’ll never forgive myself for getting you involved in this.”

“Don’t start with that shit.” Natalie pulls back, giving me her no-nonsense look. “From day one, you told me your brother was trouble.”

But even I’d had no idea he was involved with the Mafia.

“I need all the deets.”

Glancing around, I follow her deeper into the suite.

The living room area has floor-to-ceiling windows and a comfortable-looking couch, along with two chairs. And she even has a large vase filled with flowers.

Off to one side, a table is set with a silver pot. Coffee, I guess, since it’s accompanied by several smaller pitchers and a sugar bowl. And she has an enormous tray filled with fruit and pastries and cheese, and even some brightly colored macarons.

“There’s enough here for a small army,” she says with a shrug. “All I wanted was a bagel and a cup of coffee.”

With what I know of Pax and Link already, I’m not really surprised that they’d arrange for a feast.

I skip the offerings, except for a bottle of water.

My insides are still too jumbled for food.

I drop into a chair, and Natalie sits opposite.

She stares at me, her expression a mix of concern and confusion. “What the hell happened last night?”