Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
During the week while Nightfall was closed, Alessia settled into her new life.
Despite her protests, Titus had filled her closet with an array of clothes, from fancy dresses for her to dance in at Nightfall to tunics and leggings to relax in at home.
He’d also replaced her phone with one to use in emergencies, while cautioning her not to call anyone with ties to Enzo.
Alessia wondered if her sisters and mother had worried at all.
She was sure her mother would have thought of her—not been concerned but would have recognized Alessia was not at the house.
Serafina would only have noticed her absence if Enzo had raged about Alessia being gone at dinner.
Then she’d celebrate by stealing Alessia’s clothing.
Mirabella was away at college and removed from the commotion.
Well, only the pieces that would fit her, Alessia told herself, allowing herself a bit of cattiness.
“That was an interesting thought that just cruised through your mind,” Titus observed from his place on the covered porch.
She loved how easily they’d fallen into some habits together.
This morning they sat on the sunny veranda, sipping coffee.
Gio had perfected how she loved her iced coffee with the yummiest amount of cream-to-coffee ratio and a generous addition of chocolate syrup and whipped cream.
Alessia took another sip as she decided how to reply.
“I was guessing how everything’s going at Enzo’s. I wonder if my mom and my sister, Serafina, have figured out I’m gone.” That had a shred of truth in it.
“Oh, they noticed. Enzo has sent out feelers around the community searching for anyone who has seen you. He’s not revealing that someone took you, so he either didn’t believe the scene we staged or he’s not willing to admit someone got past his security and abducted you.
Thankfully, so far, he’s not asking the right people,” Titus said with his own smirk of satisfaction.
“After all the commotion on the morning we left—everyone must know. That was so dangerous. You should have waited, and I could have met you somewhere.”
“That would never happen. Be glad I let you go home to rescue Hopper. I wouldn’t have allowed it, but I understood you needed to retrieve someone special,” Titus said. “Besides, I was close most of the time.”
Alessia shivered, remembering the bloody gloves Enzo had dropped on his desk. Her brother was desperately clinging to control and willing to eliminate anyone who interfered. She wondered what the future would hold.
“You’re safe with me, Little mate.”
She looked up at him and forced the bad thoughts out of her head. Smiling, she nodded, “I know I am. Thank you, Daddy.”
“A totally selfish move on my part. Have you talked to Carina about going to Nightfall tonight?”
“Yes. I’m so excited to see her again. She’s so nice. She… She told me her Daddy changed her into a vampire.”
“Does that scare you?”
“Kinda. Carina said the process wasn’t painful.” Alessia shifted a bit in her chair before admitting, “She said it was hot.”
“Then Marcus handled her transition correctly.”
Gathering her courage, Alessia forced herself to ask, “Is that something you want to do to me?”
“Turning you is a decision we’ll need to make at some point.
Vampires live for many years. Marcus has been around longer than I have, and Alaric is older than both of us put together.
I would love to have you with me for the rest of my life, but this a choice you will need to make. I won’t force you to join our clan.”
Some of the tension relaxed from her shoulders. Since Carina had told her about being a vampire, Alessia’s concerns had multiplied. She was relieved to hear that she would have a say. That was what Marcus had done with Carina. He’d allowed her to decide.
“If you have questions, I will answer you honestly and fully. I will not mislead you,” Titus assured her.
“Yes, Daddy. You haven’t lied to me yet. I can’t imagine you’d start now.”
“Thank you for your confidence in my character, Little mate. I would never use deceit with my clan or with you. At least not without a very good reason—a life or death risk.”
Alessia tilted her head as she considered that statement. His admission that he could use a lie to save a someone was understandable, but she didn’t like to consider he would ever lie to her.
“That bothers you, doesn’t it, Alessia?”
“Yes. I’d rather you always tell me the truth.”
“Let’s say a man has a gun to my head, and he’s going to kill me unless I send you away. I would definitely make up a story to get you out of there,” Titus explained.
“Or you could give me some sign that warned me you were lying, and I could flee to keep myself safe, but then I could alert Marcus to come help you,” Alessia suggested, planning quickly on her feet.
I could simply communicate with you this way.
“Oh, yeah. I forget that you can talk to me mentally without anyone knowing.”
“If a problem arises and I need you to run away, I will send you a message. I’ll also alert my clan simultaneously,” Titus assured her.
“I’d like to help somehow,” Alessia said.
“Remember, Alessia. I am not human. I have abilities you don’t have, like the ability to cloak myself and to heal wounds. Those skills came in handy when you escaped from Enzo. Sending you to safety would allow me to concentrate on the threat. By following my instructions, you’d help me.”
She studied him. Would she be able to leave him if he were in danger? Titus made a good point that he had talents she didn’t. He’d never focus on himself if she was at risk. He would concentrate on saving her even at the risk of harm to himself.
After considering the dilemma, Alessia agreed with his request. “I wouldn’t like it, but I would follow your directions. I’d rather you concentrate on getting yourself out of danger than putting yourself at risk to rescue me.”
“Thank you, Little mate. I like the idea of a secret message between us. How about if I pat my heart three times to let you know I love you.”
Alessia stared at him. He’d said the words that resonated so strongly inside her. Was he making that up? About loving her? Titus had never told her anything he didn’t mean. She smiled at him as a sweet feeling swelled in her chest.
“How about if I remind you every once in a while? I’ll remind you I love you with that gesture in situations where everything is safe.” Titus thumped his chest in rapid succession.
“You really love me?” popped out of her mouth before she could stop it. She wanted to believe him with every fiber of her being.
“You are my mate, Alessia. I’ve loved you since our first touch.” Titus rose from his chair and scooped her up into his arms. After sitting down with her on his lap, he pressed a sweet kiss to her mouth.
“I love you,” he repeated. His next kiss scorched her lips with passion. Titus demanded a response.
Alessia pressed herself to his hard physique, showing Titus how much she cared about him too. She wasn’t ready to say the L-word yet. She’d never said that to anyone other than family, and that hadn’t worked out well. One day she would be ready.
Titus’s hands swept under her tunic, stroking her skin. She arched into his caresses. She didn’t understand how he affected her so much and frankly didn’t want to. Each stroke of his hands fueled her desire.
He swept her shirt over her head and tossed the garment away without taking his gaze from her. “So precious,” he murmured as he cupped her nude breasts. His fingers rolled her nipples, beaded by the fresh air and his touch, drawing a moan of delight from Alessia.
“Daddy… Someone might see,” she whispered, looking around at the outdoor porch they occupied.
“No one will dare to disturb us, Little mate. I will sense them if they get close. No worries. Nobody gets to see what is mine.”
The fierce possessiveness in his tone sent a thrill through her.
She could hear the threat in his voice if anyone dared to intrude.
No one had ever cared about her enough to protect her at all costs.
Alessia had no doubt that Titus would risk his life to defend her.
He’d already dared to retrieve her from her family’s home.
He closed his lips around her nipple, pulling strongly at the tight peak. Pleasure tinged with a hint of pain lanced through her. Alessia threaded her fingers through his thick hair. “Please,” she begged, needing everything he could give her.
“I’m not rushing, Little mate. I want to taste every inch of your sweet body,” he growled before lowering his mouth to continue to lavish his sensual caresses to her breasts.
Alessia gathered a handful of his T-shirt and pulled it up. She wanted to feast her eyes on the erotic view of Titus’s chiseled strength. “Help me, Daddy.”
Titus shook his head as he rubbed his silky beard over her sensitive flesh. The prickly ends of his whiskers made her shiver. Impatiently, she tugged at his shirt, wanting the fabric off.
The world whirled around her as Titus flipped her over his lap. She grabbed at his legs to stabilize herself and gasped as he ripped her leggings and panties off in one quick move. Before she could ask questions or protest, Titus smacked his hand down on her bottom. The sharp sting made her yell.
“Hey! Stop that!”
He did not follow her request. Titus peppered her vulnerable butt with a flurry of swats. “Who’s in charge, Little mate?” he asked.
“Not you!” she dared to challenge him. “I don’t want to be spanked.”
His hand punished her a bit harder. “Wrong answer, Alessia.”
Tears welled up in her eyes as the burn intensified. “Daddy, stop! I’m sorry.”
“Who’s in charge, Little mate?” he repeated.
“You’re in charge, Daddy. You.”
“Good girl. That deserves a reward.” Titus stood and placed her gently into his chair.