Chapter 13
“I needto call Bás and explain that we’re changing the plan.”
Maya cuddled in closer, her hand splaying over Titan’s chest as his fingers stroked over her shoulder. What she wanted was to stay here in this bubble forever and block the world out, but he was right. They needed to face what was going on because everything had changed and not just for the plan. Her whole life seemed like it was changing since he’d walked into her life. Or rather when she’d dropped into his like a bomb.
“I’ll go make coffee.”
She moved to get up but he pulled her back down, stealing a deep kiss that left her dizzy with need for him. His deep brown eyes looked up at her with so much heart in them that it was hard to catch her breath.
“I want this, Maya. Me and you.”
“Me too, Ti. But let’s get this situation safe first and then talk. This is happening at warp speed and I don’t want to get hurt or hurt anyone else.”
She could see her caution wounded him but he nodded.
“You got it, babe.”
Rising, she felt his eyes on her as she walked to the bathroom to freshen up. By the time she left the bathroom, Ti was dressed and standing in the kitchen pouring hot water into two mugs.
“I was supposed to do that.” Holding his arm up for her, she slid into his side and sighed. “Is it weird that this feels so right?”
A soft deep chuckle rumbled through him. “If it is then we’re both weird because I feel it too.”
“I always thought Instalove was a myth.”
She felt him still at her words and closed her eyes in mortification at what she’d said. She wasn’t even sure that was what she felt, but she knew it was different to anything she’d ever felt before. Maya tried to pull away but he held on tighter. “Not that I’m in love with you or anything. You know it’s just a figure of speech.”
“I know, Maya, but you don’t need to protect yourself from me. Whatever you’re feeling, I feel it too. I’ve never been in love, but I’ve seen my brothers fall, and I never got it until now.”
Maya glanced up at him. “Got what?”
“This all-consuming need to be with someone. To want to see them smile or laugh. To protect them over everything.”
He leaned in and kissed her slowly, and she poured everything she was feeling into that kiss, even the things she didn’t understand herself.
Ti pulled away and gave her a smile that made her belly somersault. “I need to make that call.”
Maya nodded and pushed away from him, to give him some privacy but he held her hand, causing her to frown.
“You can stay.”
Settling on the couch, he dialled the secure number before putting the call on speaker.
“Titan, what’s going on? Reaper says you had visitors.”
Maya had totally forgotten that Ti’s teammates were around the building, so consumed with this man.
“Yeah, and we have a problem.” As he spoke, he kept his eyes on her as if he couldn’t look away.
“Oh?”
“Nico, the man who was here when we got back, recognised me. Turns out he was part of the Cobras when I ran it.”
“Why didn’t you say anything before when we ran the pictures?”
“He was just a kid then, and he’s changed a lot and he went by the name Norm. I guess he decided a name change was in order.”
“Did he recognise you?”
Maya looked at Ti as he nodded. “Yeah, looked like he saw a ghost. I decided to lean into it and threatened him to stay away from Maya. Either way, she can’t go back there now.”
“Agreed. We need a new plan and we need to find a way for your rise from the dead not to get out. I’ll have Watchdog monitor any chatter and shut it down before it starts.”
“Thanks, Bás.”
“This could still be bad for you, Titan. If word gets out you’re alive, the authorities will come for you too, as well as any enemies you still have that are holding a grudge.”
Maya’s stomach twisted at the implications of what Bás was saying, and guilt and worry squirmed in her belly. She’d done this, she’d brought this on him. As if sensing her train of thought, Ti reached out and gently squeezed her hand in his, giving her a reassuring wink.
“I can handle it. The priority is Maya and Tyrique.”
“Well, that’s good because someone’s already phoned in a tip to the police.”
“Shit.”
“I’ll have Watchdog take care of it, but that’s only buying you a little time. You need to disappear again.”
“When Maya and Tyrique’s safety is ensured, I will, but these people need stopping, Bás. They killed Rose.”
Maya’s throat bobbed as she swallowed back her emotions as she thought of her sister, but what was almost worse was the thought of putting this man in danger, too. Rose was gone, she couldn’t help her but maybe she could help Ti in some way.
“I get it, Titan, and we’ll do everything we can. I just want to make you aware of the risks.”
“I know the risks.”
“Okay.”
“How is Tyrique doing?”
Maya saw the love and pride transform Ti’s features from severe to almost gentle if a man like him could be described that way.
“He’s great. Has the whole team wrapped around his tiny finger. Watchdog has him in his arms and is typing with one hand and fighting anyone who tries to take him away.”
“I thought Snow was watching him.”
“She is, but Watchdog has taken to the kid and only hands him over for nappy changes and feedings.”
Titan smiled and so did Maya at the thought of the big, grumpy geek with a baby in his arms as he ruled the world from behind his screen. That was like crack for single ladies everywhere and they’d never get to see it.
“Sounds fun. Tell him I appreciate it.”
The line crackled and Maya heard light murmurs before Bás came back. “Watchdog wants to know if Maya has that ankle bracelet he gave her and if she’s wearing it?”
Titan frowned and glanced at her leg where the silver chain sat on her ankle. “Yeah, she has it on.”
“Okay. Well, we’ll be in touch. I suggest you touch base with Reaper and Bishop and let them know we’re ditching the plan to send Maya back in and coming up with something else. I’ll call you back within the hour.”
“Copy that.”
Ti hung up and lifted her foot onto his leg, his hand skimming over her skin. He lifted the delicate chain with a round disk charm attached and studied the writing. It was some Latin wording she didn’t understand, but Watchdog had said it would keep her safe and she’d thought it was a sweet gesture.
“You gonna get jealous now, Ti?”
She watched him, her head cocked, hoping he was going to be a dick about this but he shook his head.
“No, I trust my brothers completely or I would’ve been dead by now. He’s trying to keep you safe.”
His answer surprised her because the gift from Watchdog had surprised her. “Is it some voodoo lucky charm?”
Ti grinned at her as he stroked his hand up her leg to her thigh and held it there, even as she wished he would move higher. “You don’t believe in luck?”
“I believe in science.”
“Well, that’s a good thing because that charm is a tracker and has a mic embedded in it.”
“What?”
Maya yanked her leg back and examined the bracelet again, not seeing a single thing that would give her a hint at what it was. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. Watchdog can remotely activate it when he needs to.”
“Oh my God. What if he heard us?” Her hand covered her mouth and her eyes bugged with mortification.
“He wouldn’t have done that while you were here with me. He knows I can keep you safe.”
“Thank God. I thought I might have to move to the outback of Australia, and I really hate snakes.”
Ti chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t tell Reaper that. He’ll give you a lecture on all the reasons Australia is the best place on earth.”
“God, no. Heat, snakes, spiders. No, thank you.”
“Okay, much as I’d rather stay here, I need to update Reaper and Bishop. Do you want to come with me?”
“You’ll only be downstairs, right?”
Titan nodded. “Right beneath you.”
“I’m going to take a shower.”
“Okay, I won’t be long. Don’t open the door for anyone but me or my team.”
“I won’t, I promise.”
She hated that she’d probably just lied to him, but an idea was forming. If she had the tracker and it recorded, then she could go and see Nico and get him to admit what he was doing. It could work. It might not but she had to try because she couldn’t just let Titan give up his freedom and his life because of her. She wouldn’t do that to him.
Slipping on a pair of black leggings and a black bomber jacket with her scuffed biker boots, she hurried out the door and down the stairs. No cameras could track her but, with the bracelet, she knew she didn’t have long before Titan came after her, and he would. She knew it down to her bones he would come. She just hoped she could do enough before he arrived.