Page 129 of Avenging Azalea

“Are you lost, honey?”

Startled, I turned around. The man wore a soft grey suit with a vibrant purple tie. I smiled and walked toward him.

“Hi…no, I’m not. Well, yes, I guess I am.” I looked around. “I’m supposed to be meeting Titus, but I don’t know the way to his office.”

The man crossed his arms and looked me up and down. He had the same ‘You’ll have to go through me to get to Titus’ look that the girls gave strangers.

“And you are?”

“Sorry, my name is Fawn,” I said, extending my hand.

His entire face changed from one blink to the next, and a smile curled up at the corner of his mouth. The only way to describe the handsome man was devious.

“Honey, why didn’t you lead with that?” He shook my hand. “I’m Levi, Titus’s assistant and all things office gossip.” Levi released me and circled as he stared. I fiddled with the shimmery dress Steph had practically ordered me to wear. “You, my dear, are prettier than I imagined.”

“Oh…you know who I am?”

“Of course I do. Titus has made it known that you have carte blanche access to all things…Titus. You go, girl. That man hasn’t ever given someone access like that. Besides, it was time he let you come around. I mean, it’s been over three years, and this is the first time I’m getting to meet the woman who stole Titus’s heart. Follow me, I’ll take you to his office.”

Smiling, I walked beside Levi, instantly liking him and his upfront personality. He reminded me of Steph. She always put it out there and let the chips fall where they may.

Levi led me into a spacious corner office with windows overlooking the city and the water in the distance. This office felt like Titus. It was like stepping into a totally different building.

“Would you like a drink,” Levi asked, and I shook my head.

“No, but thank you for the offer.”

“Well…I’m off for the night. Titus will be back soon. He had to run out for a quick meeting with an investor because Nathaniel was stuck in traffic. Make yourself at home.”

“It was great meeting you, Levi,” I said, slowly wandering the perimeter of the office to look at the photos and books.

“You, too. Don’t have too much fun in here tonight,” Levi teased, and I decided that he and Steph could never be in the same room. The embarrassment I’d known would be nothing compared to anything I might see if they teamed up.

I perused the shelves, running my fingers over some very expensive-looking first editions. I’d always known that Titus loved to read, but hadn’t realized he was a collector. Sitting down in a comfortable leather chair, I picked up a framed family portrait from a side table. It was easy to find Titus among the teenage boys. They looked like any other happy family smiling for the camera. Even Dimitri looked human, but I knew otherwise.

I looked up as someone came into the office. My brows raised as Vera backed in like she’d been sneaking around. She turned and froze when she spotted me in the chair. Our eyes locked, and I set the photo aside.

“What are you doing here,” Vera asked, no longer bothering to hide the snarky tone.

“I could ask you the same question,” I said, pushing up to my feet.

She tossed her hair over her shoulder and struck a pose like she was on a runway in Milan. It didn’t impress me or intimidate me like it would’ve a few months ago.

“I don’t need to explain why I’m here,” Vera said.

“Like hell you don’t,” I said, taking a step forward. “Your wedding to Titus is off, and you’re not welcome here.” She pressed her lips together. “Don’t bother trying to deny it. You wouldn’t have been sneaking in here like a thief in the night if you were welcome. So, what the hell do you want, Vera?”

“The wedding is off when I say it’s off,” she said, stalking toward me.

I smirked.

“Pretty sure that’s not how it works when you’re caught on camera fucking your fiancé’s brother.”

Her face turned red as she stomped her foot like a toddler.

“I was tricked. Ronan tricked me,” she said.

“He tricked you onto his dick? That is quite a feat. I’m impressed. Did he tell you that he was actually a doctor and was worried about your health?”