Theirs to Corrupt (Titans Captivated #5)

Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Tessa

Where to start?

I sigh as I drop into a chair. “It’s a long story.”

Natalie grabs her cup and sits across from me. “You look like you haven’t slept.”

“I haven’t,” I admit. “But neither have you.”

“No.” She shakes her head, her expression tightening as she glances toward the window, almost as if she’s trying to find the right words. “When I came home after work and saw that there’d been a break-in, I was terrified. I didn’t know if you were in there. Or if your brother had found you. So I called your cell phone.” She shrugs. “Pax told me you were okay and that I needed to go somewhere safe.”

Guilt stabs through me, making me shudder. “Nat…” A lifetime of apologies will never be enough.

“He wouldn’t tell me much.”

So it’s up to me to fill in the details. “When I left the Rusty Nail, some of Axel’s men tried to grab me.”

“Link and Pax were at the bar?”

“No.” I shake my head. “They showed up after I got off.”

She grins. “I told you Link had a thing for you.”

Though I shake my head, nothing else makes sense.

“Anyway…” There’s no way to make this easier. “The guy Axel sold me to? Turns out he’s a mobster.”

“A…?” She scowls, as if she can’t believe a word I’m saying. Then she shakes her head. “Wait a second. You can’t be serious right now. The mob is something out of a Hollywood movie.”

I don’t respond. Until a few hours ago, I’d believed the same thing.

“You’re dead ass serious?”

When I nod, she momentarily stares in disbelief.

“This is messed up. You know that, right?”

“It gets more unbelievable.” A headache builds behind my eyes. “And Link proposed to me.” If giving me an order could be called that.

“Proposed?” She blinks. “Like, actual marriage?”

I nod.

“And you think he really means it?”

“He seems to.” I shift a little. “He says it’s the only way to keep me safe.”

Natalie finally takes a sip from her cup. Then she looks at me over the rim. Moments later, she draws her eyebrows together. “You know, it’s not exactly romantic, but it’s not the worst plan I’ve ever heard.”

“Nat! Could you be serious right now?”

“I’m just saying, Tess. The guy’s rich, powerful, and clearly wants to protect you. I’m not saying you should walk down the aisle tomorrow, but…think about it.”

“Why would he suggest that?” He hadn’t really answered my question, and Pax stepped in, changing the subject.

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

“Even if the idea made sense, I couldn’t just marry someone I barely know. Especially…”

“Especially?” she prompts.

Before I can change my mind and remain silent, I rush on, “I saw pictures of him in Scandalicious with men reported to be mobsters.”

“First of all, it’s a gossip rag.”

Even if it is better than most sites.

“And secondly, he’s a gazillionaire. He obviously knows a lot of people. Even if he hangs out with those kind of people, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a gangster himself. Right?”

I hesitate. “I don’t know. But I don’t want to take that risk.”

“Okay, fair enough.” Natalie sighs, putting her mug down. “What are your other options? Running?”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” I admit. “New Orleans?” The ride will only take a few hours by bus. “Maybe Miami.” Perhaps even the opposite coast. Nat and I can lose ourselves in Los Angeles.

“Look.” She sighs, as if trying to be reasonable. “You thought you’d be invisible in Houston. You were really careful. Few people even know your real name.”

Her words hit hard, and my shoulders slump.

“They found you once. Do you really think you can hide from the mob forever?” Natalie studies me for a moment before switching gears. “I’m sorry to be so blunt.”

I shiver.

“Look, Tess. I’m not trying to scare you, and you don’t have to make any rash decisions. You’ve got time to figure this out.”

Trying to steady myself, I uncap my water and take a drink.

A few moments later, she clears her throat. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Oh?”

“I know my timing is terrible…”

“Go ahead and say it.” My life can’t get much worse.

“David asked me to move in with him.”

“Really?”

She grins, her happiness obvious.

“Are you going to do it?”

“I think so.”

My own drama momentarily forgotten, I put down my water and hurry across the room to give her a hug. “Nat! I’m happy for you.”

“You’re not upset?”

“Never!” After everything she’s been through, she deserves someone like the hotshot lawyer who treats her well.

After a final hug, I return to my chair.

“I don’t want to leave you hanging.”

I shake my head. “You have to live your life for you.” Besides, there’s no way I can live in our apartment ever again.

“Now with everything…”

“It’s safer if you are staying somewhere else,” I finish.

“That’s what David thinks too.”

“Speaking of… Where is he?”

“On his way back from Dallas. He had business meetings up there, but I called him right after I talked to Pax last night. He said he’d head back right away. I told him to get some sleep first.” Then she waves her hand, and all her bracelets jangle. “He didn’t like hearing another man put me up at a hotel.”

“Oh my God.” I bet he didn’t.

“That’s why you have to marry Link.” She flashes a grin. “So David doesn’t have to be jealous.”

“Best reason I’ve ever heard to walk down the aisle.”

“Think about it,” she says more seriously. “The protection you’d have as his wife.”

But at what cost?

“You can’t keep running.”

I exhale. “I’ll think about it.” What choice do I have?

As Natalie and I say goodbye, I’m hit with devastating emotions. I’m happy for her and David, but I’m sad we’re going in different directions.

At the door, she holds me tight. “You’re stronger than you think.” Then she’s all Nat. “I want an invite to your wedding.”

I shake my head. “You’re impossible.”

After a shared laugh, I unlock the door and peek out.

“Ready?” Pax asks.

I straighten my back. Am I?

Moments later, I nod.

Two agents remain at Natalie’s door while Mira walks in front of me and Pax brings up the rear.

Torin is waiting in the SUV, and the engine is already running.

The doors are barely closed when he starts rolling.

As I settle in, Pax offers me a sleek, high-end smartphone. “For you.”

The device is purple titanium, a work of art that is beyond gorgeous. From the ads I’ve seen online, the glass front is virtually indestructible, so it doesn’t need a protective cover, making the user experience a sensual one. “A Bonds?”

“Nothing more reliable.”

Or expensive. That single piece of masterful technology costs the same price as four months’ rent in the apartment Natalie and I shared. Even when my parents were alive and money wasn’t an issue, our family never considered buying anything that expensive. “Thank you, but I can’t accept this.”

“You will.”

Why had I ever thought that he was less forceful and intimidating than his boss?

“Pax—”

“Take it up with Link.”

I sigh. Even though I haven’t agreed to marry the man, he’s already running my life.

Reluctantly I accept the phone. The weight is less than I expect, and the combination of glass and titanium is irresistibly tempting.

Despite my resolve, I swipe my finger across the front, and vibrant colors leap to life.

A note comes across the screen.

Welcome to the Bonds family, Tessa. Enjoy your experience.

Beneath it is Julien Bonds’s signature. “Is that standard on all Bonds devices?”

“No.”

“No?” I turn to study him. “Don’t tell me you know Julien Bonds?”

He shrugs. But instead of answering, he says, “Our numbers are programmed in, along with all the contacts from your old phone. All you have to do is press one for Link, two for me, three for Hawkeye Security. Or tap the screen twice and tell Holly what you need.”

“Holly?”

“Your personal assistant.”

The route we’re taking doesn’t seem to lead back to the house. Frowning, I turn to Pax. “Where are we going?”

“Link’s office.” His tone is flat, as if the answer should have been obvious.

The rest of the ride to the downtown high rise is quick, and the city seems to pass in a blur.

Flanked by Mira and Pax, we’re whisked up forever to the fiftieth floor.

Another surreal experience.

The suite of offices is marked as Merritt Sovereign Capital.

The name is as pretentious as he is.

Mira opens the door and enters, and Pax nods at me to follow.

Inside, the sleek, modern decor speaks of power and wealth, making me feel even more out of place.

A woman sits behind a desk, her blonde hair styled in a sleek bob. She smiles at Pax.

“I’ll let Mr. Merritt know you’ve arrived.”

Moments later, after speaking into her headset, she stands and walks to the door. After knocking, she turns the handle, then steps aside.

Pax inclines his head in my direction. “After you.”

To stop my hands from shaking, I ball them into fists.

Pax closes the door behind us with a decisive, echoing click.

Link is standing near the floor-to-ceiling windows, and he turns to face me.

As always, I’m unprepared for my reaction to him as his blue eyes lock onto mine, intense and unreadable.

“Have you made a decision?” he asks, his voice low and steady.

My heart races, and my tummy plummets.

The weight of the last twelve hours—Natalie’s perspective, the fact I have nowhere to live, to run, and there’s no hiding from the man who wants me—crashes onto my shoulders.

“Tessa?” he prompts.

“Yes,” I whisper, then clear my throat and speak more firmly. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

“Good.”

Good? That’s it?

“Have a seat.” He indicates the small area off to one side. There’s a couch and two armchairs, along with a coffee table in the middle with bottled water. “There’s something the three of us need to discuss before we move forward.”

What more could there be?

At his nod, I perch on the edge of a sofa cushion.

Link sinks into one of the leather armchairs, facing me.

I don’t have to wait long.

He leans back, steepling his hands in front of him.

Then he locks his attention on me. “Pax and I share everything.”

Confused, I angle my head to one side. “What do you mean…everything?”

As if on cue, Pax moves from his position by the door to take a seat across from me, next to his boss.

His presence is commanding, and the way he fills the space is both reassuring and unnerving at the same time.

When Link goes on, his voice is steady, and each word is deliberate. “You’ll be married to me. But you’ll belong to both of us. Do you understand?”