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“Titus,” Julian said slowly, forced patience lining his voice. “We don’t have time for this right now. She’s going to have to see medical professionals at some point.”
“No, never.” Titus’s response didn’t hold an ounce of hesitation, and his gaze shifted to Julian. “I guess you’ll have to hurry and finish your medical degree as fast as you can.”
Miles was giving Titus a curious look, and Damen raised his eyebrow. Julian pinched his nose. “Titus…”
“I can only stand the three of you being here,” Titus interrupted, his hand squeezed my ankle. “Everyone else can get lost.”
Julian opened his eyes, and he glared at Titus. The two of them were quiet a moment, communicating silently, before Julian studied my face.
I didn’t know what he saw there, but whatever it was caused his expression to morph into self-loathing.
“Get out.” His voice was a low hiss.
I couldn’t breathe, his icy gaze was still locked on mine. I never thought he’d say such a thing to me.
But a moment later, it was Bryce who responded. “Why? I have every right to be here. Her health is my concern, too.”
“Now.” Julian narrowed his eyes at Bryce. He’d had gotten to his feet, stalking toward us. However, before Titus could even twitch, Damen had already intercepted my brother.
“Get out,” Damen repeated Julian’s earlier statement, the tension thick in his voice.
But Bryce, instead of listening, narrowed his eyes. “No. I want to see—”
“Bryce.” Brayden grabbed Bryce’s arm, cutting him off. “Come on, I need to talk to you.”
Bryce glanced at Brayden. “Why do you need to talk to me? I talk to you every day.”
“It’s a secret.” Brayden pulled at him, glancing nervously at Finn and Anthony, who also got to their feet. “You’ll like it.”
“What secret?” Bryce frowned. “You don’t have secrets. Circumstances notwithstanding, you’re awful with secrets.”
“I know!” Brayden jerked Bryce’s arm, finally making Bryce stumble forward. “That’s why, if you come with me, I’ll tell you what it is.”
The group moved toward the exit, Bryce complaining under his breath, when Damen spoke. “Finn, you stay here. Is that okay?” he asked me.
My heart pounded with sudden fury. I wanted to throw a vase at Damen’s head at the suggestion. However, Anthony might kill Finn on Julian’s behalf when I wasn’t watching. He seemed to enjoy picking on the blond.
Sighing, I nodded.
Julian and Damen stepped close to the hearth, conversing with each other in low voices. Finn frowned, returning to his previous seat.
The room felt larger with the others gone. And I felt bad about being relieved, especially considering who they were, but…
I hardly knew Anthony. And even though Bryce and Brayden were family—and my subordinates—I couldn’t stand them seeing me so vulnerable.
“Titus…” I pulled on his sleeve, waiting for his attention to turn to me. “Would you really have eaten them?”
He didn’t answer, but the corner of his mouth curled up. His grin caused my heart to race. But from fear or something else, I didn’t know. He looked almost predatory, yet even more attractive, at that moment. “Titus?”
In response, he winked.
What had happened to the chatty Titus from last night? Why wasn’t he answering me with words?
Why was my face growing warm?
“Stop doing that.” Miles stepped forward. “It’s bad enough watching Damen’s awkward attempts at flirting. Don’t you start, too.”
“There’s the difference.” Titus shrugged at Miles, frowning. “I’m a natural.”
