Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
Titus guided Alessia out the French doors onto the balcony. He drew her into the shadows and held her close as he scanned the exterior of the house. Loud banging and shouts to open the lock came from inside. His mate shook against him.
Frankie! His mate’s panic reverberated in his mind. Titus forced himself not to eliminate the man who threatened Alessia. Snapping his neck quickly was not how that scumbag should die.
Titus squeezed her tightly for a moment. I’m going to pick you up, Alessia. Close your eyes and don’t open them. You are safe.
She nodded and squeezed her eyelids tightly shut.
Her hands clenched at his waist when he scooped her over his shoulder, but she didn’t let out a peep of protest. Draping the handles of her duffel over his forearm, Titus stepped over the railing and scrambled down the brick exterior to make the drop less jarring for his mate instead of descending to the ground directly. He could hear the snarl of dogs coming.
Titus would be long gone before the beasts reached the flower beds he’d deliberately trampled to reinforce the story he’d created upstairs.
Racing toward the far wall, Titus pulled his shadow around himself and his mate.
His rapid speed alone would be a blur to humans.
The shadow would keep them from detecting the movement.
He hadn’t bothered with that on the way inside.
His incredible mate had noticed him. She would be a boon to the clan.
Holding onto her legs with one hand, he drove himself up the protective wall surrounding Enzo’s estate.
Glass shards embedded vertically in the concrete top bit into his fingers, making him wince.
By the time he landed on the other side, the wounds had healed.
The impact forced the air out of Alessia’s lungs in a muffled uff.
He smoothed his hand over her leg, reassuring her, before turning to speed away.
A staccato of gunfire ricocheted on the other side of the wall.
Someone was shooting erratically over the barrier.
He huddled close to the concrete, trusting the material would stop the desperate attempt to hit them as they fled.
He must have triggered an alarm somewhere.
Titus didn’t wait to see if they’d pursue him outside the gate.
Using his vampiric speed, he put distance between his Little girl and the Costa family home as quickly as possible.
He maintained his pace for close to eight minutes.
Arriving where he’d left his car in the parking lot of a popular mom-and-pop restaurant, Titus dropped the duffel lightly onto the ground before setting Alessia’s feet back on the ground. When she swayed in reaction to standing still after their rapid pace, he steadied her. “Whoa, Little mate.”
Alessia grabbed his shirt, holding on as she wobbled. “Sanderson’s Chicken Palace? That’s ten miles from my home. Did I pass out? You couldn’t have moved that fast.”
She studied his face when he didn’t answer. “How is that possible? No one can scale walls and leap over things like that. What are you?” Before he could respond, her gaze landed on his torso. “Oh, no! There’s blood on your shirt. Did you get hurt?”
Her hands stroked over his chest and arms, checking for injuries. Her concern went straight to his heart. When she found the blood spatter on his fingers, she demanded, “Are you okay?”
“Just a few scrapes, Alessia. I’m fine now.” He held his hands out to show her. “Your brother had a nasty surprise on the top of the wall.”
“You cut yourself on the glass?” She grabbed his arm and ran her fingers over his healed skin. “You should need stitches, Titus.”
“I avoided most of the glass. Only minor scrapes,” he lied. “Let’s get into the car, Alessia. We don’t want to attract any attention.”
She didn’t ask any further questions but allowed him to help her into the passenger seat of the car. When he slid behind the steering wheel, she grabbed his wrist and pulled his palm toward her.
“But the scrapes are gone too. What’s going on here, Titus?”
“Let’s get out of here first. I’ll answer any worries you have.”
“Promise?” she asked.
“Yes, Alessia. You have my word.”
She nodded, and he started the car. Pulling into the light, late-night traffic, Titus headed for his house.
Most of the clan lived in one large neighborhood, though not all the houses in a row.
Neighbors would detect a clump of homes where the lights were on at weird times or some other out-of-the-norm pattern.
Scattered, no one was likely to notice any differences.
He turned into his driveway and triggered the metal gate to open. Alessia leaned forward to stare at the massive barrier. Titus could almost hear her mind whirring as she debated whether or not she’d be trapped inside. “My code is fourteen thirty-seven. File that in your brain so you don’t forget.”
Quickly, she repeated those numbers. Alessia looked back at him and asked, “Does that number mean something to you?”
His mate was perceptive. “Yes. Let’s get inside, and I’ll answer all your questions.”
Alessia nodded as he pulled up to the front steps of a home as regal as Enzo’s mansion. Titus noticed her side-eyeing him and guessed she wondered how he afforded this on a bartender’s salary. The questions he would have to answer were piling up.
He parked at the bottom of the stairs leading to the front door. Wrapping his hand around her thigh, Titus stopped her from bailing out.
When she gasped and jerked away, he quickly lifted his hand. “Sorry, Alessia. I didn’t mean to spook you.”
“No. I’m sorry. That reminded me of something else. I’m okay.”
Titus guessed there was more to that story. The sharp inhale had indicated pain. Had someone hurt her after they parted? He forced the flash of anger away, not wishing to frighten her. Alessia had gone through enough. He chose not to question her but said, “Wait. I’ll open your door.”
When she nodded, he slid out of the vehicle. As he circled the hood of the car, Titus held her gaze. After opening the passenger door, Titus offered a hand for hers and helped her stand. “Welcome home, Little mate.”
His butler, Gio, strolled out, immaculate as always. Unbothered by their arrival, he greeted them warmly. “Good morning, sir. I see that we have a guest. Welcome.”
“Thank you,” Alessia said softly.
Waves of nervousness and uncertainty streamed toward Titus from his mate. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kept her close to his side to reassure her that all was well. Her body hummed with uncertainty.
“Great news, Gio. This is my mate, Alessia Costa. She will stay with me.”
“Your mate, sir.” Gio appeared shocked but recovered quickly. “My congratulations, sir. Miss. Welcome home.”
Alessia stiffened slightly next to him. Gio’s welcome had surprised her. Smoothly, Titus spoke into the lull in the conversation.
“Thank you, Gio. Could you have the car taken to the garage and light refreshments brought to the gathering room?”
“Right away, sir.”
“Come, Alessia. Let me show you around.” Titus escorted her up the stairs and into the large vestibule. The horseshoe staircase led to the upper floors with suites for guests. She would stay with him in the primary residence on this floor. “Here is the room I spend most of my time.”
Leading her into the warm study, Titus scanned the room, trying to see his favorite spot in the house through her eyes. The space resembled any Mediterranean-style office or library, with an important difference. Titus hadn’t chosen to feature a desk in here. He had, however, added a large bar.
“May I pour you a drink while we wait for refreshments? You tasted of brandy when I arrived at Enzo’s. Would you enjoy a bit of that before bed?”
“My father and I always shared that spirit when he was alive. I do like the flavor.”
Titus smiled at her and walked behind the bar.
“Then we will start our own tradition. If you will allow me to join you?” he asked, raising a bottle of Hardy Perfection cognac, the finest brandy in his collection.
He’d held onto this bottle for a hundred years, not yielding to the temptation to open the precious concoction while others raved.
Titus had understood the day would come that would warrant a special celebration.
He cracked open the seal and paused when she leaned close to sniff the opening.
Alessia didn’t seem to notice the label. Her gaze was focused completely on him. Titus loved being the center of her world. He vowed never to lose track of the emotional impact of having his mate close after so many years of searching for her.
A hum of pleasure eased from Alessia as she inhaled the amber-colored spirit. The first genuine smile he’d seen since they left Nightfall spread across her lips.
His heart tumbled harder in love with her. From the moment he’d touched her, the mate bond had snapped into place, focusing his love on Alessia. Her bravery astounded him. She didn’t need to trust him but was choosing to have confidence in him.
“I’d like this. Not a lot. I’m a lightweight,” Alessia said quickly, lifting her glass. She pulled his thoughts back to earth.
“Of course.” Titus splashed a small portion into two snifters and cradled them in his palms as he walked to her side, allowing the heat of his hands to warm the delicious contents. He offered her a glass.
Alessia lifted the amber liquid to her lips. “Mmm. This is delicious. I can almost taste a hint of chocolate in this brand. I haven’t had this before.”
“I’m glad I could treat you to something new and delectable. Come, let me hold you.” He guided her to his favorite oversized leather chair next to the fire and sat down. Drawing her onto his lap, he hugged her close.
To his delight, Alessia didn’t offer to move elsewhere. She melted against him and sampled the liquid treat again. He stroked her hair, loving the quiet time alone with his mate.