Page 14 of Origins
Sure, he had been extremely creepy. But it was different now. No longer was he a random stranger on the street.
I was totally going to get the crap kicked out of me.
“You were coming here?” Titus addressed me, ignoring Damen. “Why didn’t you just say so?”
Surely there was a witty response to this question, but I couldn’t think of it. My mental limit for the day had been reached, and all I knew was that I was about to receive swift retribution.
“Titus?” Julian approached as well, sounding worried.
This was very bad. Soon they would all know what I had done. And when that happened, they’d think I was even weirder than before. Plus, they would certainly be angry. Of course they would, friendsshouldalways defend each other.
So when Titus frowned and reached his hand for my shoulder, I did the only thing left for a sensible young woman to do in this kind of situation.
I kicked him in the balls and hightailed it out of there.
Chapter Five
Stalked
I wasn’t sure if the guys—other than Titus— were adept at stalking, so I had no other choice but to change my escape route. It was only after I had arrived at the bus stop—covered in burdocks—that I realized that it would have been obvious that I was going to end up here anyway. So really, my painful trek through the woods had been for nothing.
It was not my brightest moment.
However, by the grace of god, no one came after me. Not even for revenge for Titus’ crushed balls. I only hoped that their lack of response didn’t mean that they were planning on something far more sinister.
I wouldn’t have been terribly concerned if it had just been the others—Miles, Julian, Dr. Stephens, or even Damen. The worst they’d probably do would make fun of me, or lock me in an insane asylum. That, I could handle.
No. It was Titus who worried me the most. There was something unsettling about him—and it scared me witless. It also didn’t help that once I realized that he hadn’t lied about his name, then maybe he was telling the truth about everything else too.
Asecurity company, he’d said. I remembered reading things on the internet and in romance novels—stories about corrupt security companies with ties to the Mafia.
He seemed like the type. All he needed to do was switch out the plaid with leather.
And it was his apparent involvement with the group that gave me pause. I didn’t really want to be judgmental, but really—this was my life on the line. Every survival instinct that I possessed recoiled at his presence.
Besides, the others had laughed at me. I couldn’t trust any of them.
But, at least it seemed like they were going to let me flee with my pride intact.
My relief was short-lived. I wasn’t back at my professor’s home for even an hour, before Miles and Titus arrived.
The fact that they knew how to find me so quickly reinforced my theory— Titus did have friends in high places. Otherwise, how would they know where to find me? Why couldn’t they leave me alone?
And Miles—who had appeared to be so charming—was totally involved too.
This was a nightmare. Seeking out Damen had been the worst decision of my life.
As it were, I could only plaster myself behind the security of the front door—terrified for my life. Even though, I was caught between being too curious to hide entirely, and too cowardly to make my presence known.
I wasn’t sure if I should call the police. But what would I say? That two underworld, paranormal investigators were staking me outside my front door with a large bouquet of hyacinths in order to lure me outside so they could kidnap me and sell my body parts for profit?
No, they’d never believe me.
However, instead of pounding down the door when it became apparent that I wasn’t answering, the two of them argued. It was actually an interesting conversation, and I grew brave enough to watch them out of the peephole. After all, I had to gather more information on my foes anyway.
“You moron. Why are you so stubborn?” Miles said—frustrated, as he tried to convince Titus to return to the car, with no success. “She’s going to freak out even more if she sees you!”
“Why would she freak out?” Titus frowned, sounding genuinely confused. “I am here to apologize.” He glanced down at the purple flowers in his hand. “Should I have gotten chocolate too, do you think?”
