But now the world saw me through different eyes.
Like I gave a damn.
My friendship with Titan meant more to me than the opinion of the entire world. With her, I had something irreplaceable. I had a level of trust I didn’t share with anyone else. We would never have the same last name and we would never make a family together, but she was more of my family than my own parents.
I loved her.
I didn’t care if that made me sound like a pussy.
I arrived at the hotel and entered the ballroom with one hand in my pocket. Socializing with the elites of Manhattan was easy and necessary. Business opportunities presented themselves at the most unsuspecting moments. Being well connected was just as important as putting in an eight-hour workday. I could have easily skipped the event, but I knew it was essential to keep up relationships.
I mingled for a while, and almost everyone asked how Titan was doing. Their perception of me was a little different, I could feel it. But the more we talked, the more normal it seemed. If I retained my same level of confidence, people would only focus on that—not my relationship with Titan.
Eventually, everyone would forget about it.
But that would take a while.
I saw a familiar face as I finished my champagne. I set the empty flute on a passing tray and walked up to Vincent Hunt, a large man who wore his suit better than a mannequin. He didn’t have a beautiful woman on his arm like he usually did. Tonight, he was alone. “How’s it going?”
He shook my hand, breaking his stern expression and giving me a welcoming smile. “Good. How are you?”
“Just making an appearance. I get sick of these bullshit functions.”
His grin widened. “At least you’re honest enough to admit it.”
“No date this evening?”
He placed both hands in his pockets. “I’m not seeing anyone right now.”
The last woman I saw him with was exceptional. I was surprised he let her go. But then again, I had a quick turnaround rate too. In fact, mine was faster than his. At least he stayed with the same woman for a few months. I was gone after a few weeks. “That’s too bad.”
He barely shrugged. “What about you?”
“My life has been too hectic lately…” I couldn’t remember the last time I even went to a bar for a drink. My life had been going nonstop. It was nightmare after nightmare. I missed my old life, when everything was going my way.
“I saw Titan yesterday.” A man he knew passed, and he gave him a nod in acknowledgment but didn’t try to speak to him. “She looks better every time I see her. Just a little restless.”
“Sitting at home all day is driving her crazy. No doubt about that.”
“You’re a good friend for looking after her affairs. Not too many people would do that.” Vincent stared at me with his deep look, his brown eyes looking like dark lasers. He was a man with a staring problem, but he didn’t bother correcting it. It was a useful tool for him, to have more confidence than most of his acquaintances.
“She’d do the same for me.” I didn’t think twice when it came to Titan. If she needed me, I was there. We’d formed a blood oath long before I’d killed Jeremy. We were bound together by something that defied the laws of physics. No matter what, I always had her back. She had mine.
“I’m sure she would. That’s still generous of you. You have your own business to worry about.”
My business was different than hers. I was born into a wealthy family, descended from generations that revolved around this company. My great-grandfather started it when he was young, and now it belonged to me. Unlike Titan, I didn’t truly work for it. It was the reason I started a few other companies, that way I’d have a different legacy to give my children. “Her best interests are my best interests.”
“I’m sure letting her go was hard. You’re a good man for stepping aside.”
“I didn’t lose her.” She was never mine in the way she belonged to Diesel. Our relationship hadn’t changed at all. It was only based on friendship and convenience. I found her attractive, but I didn’t get hard for her the way I did with other women…like Ms. Alexander. “She’s exactly what she’s always been to me—my friend.”
“Even so, I’m sure you were looking forward to having her as your wife.”
My situation definitely would have been simpler. I’d never find anyone better to share my life. Titan was so easy to get along with. And she accepted me for exactly who I was. Most women weren’t like that. That was what I wanted in a partner—someone who accepted me. I was a hard worker, and I was fiercely loyal. I was always honest. But I was incapable of feeling romantic love. Everything else was there, so that was the only piece that was missing. All women wanted more, wanting a happily ever after. Titan was the only one who didn’t—until she met Diesel. “It definitely made my life easier. But I’m happy for her. I feel like an idiot for not believing Diesel in the first place. It was stupid.”
“He doesn’t hold a grudge.”
“Doesn’t matter.” I still felt like shit about it. Titan had been shot because of it. “Diesel is a great guy. Since he loves Titan, he’ll be a part of my family. He’s a powerful man with a lot of connections. I don’t mind having him in my inner circle.”
“Who else is in your inner circle?”
“Just Titan.” I was close to my parents, and honestly, I was a bit of a mama’s boy.
