I just assumed it was him.
“You didn’t…?”
Roman shakes his head, looking away from me, back toward my house. “I wouldn’t do that.”
A groan tears from my chest, and I drop my head in my hands. “I’m so sorry, Roman. I was just…I was so upset. I shouldn’t have assumed it was you.”
Our gazes collide, and suddenly, a thought enters my mind. “Do you think the person who broke in tonight was here last night?”
Rome’s lips thin, and I can tell, just from the expression on his face, that he was thinking the same thing.
“Let’s wait to hear what the police have to say, yeah?”
I nod, forcing a smile, but it feels hollow.
“American Money”—BORNS
I keep a firm eye on Olivia, as she finishes speaking to the police. They’ve promised to look into any other break-ins around the area, and they’re going to see if their team can find any fingerprints in the database, but chances are, they won’t.
An unsettling sensation builds in my gut. I was so close to going out with the rest of the guys tonight for drinks. Just the thought of not being here, while someone broke into Olivia’s home, doesn’t sit right with me. What if I hadn’t come running up those steps in time? What would’ve happened?
Once the last patrol car pulls away, I stuff my hands into my pockets and close the distance between our lawns. Olivia glances up at me with a weary smile on her face. She’s tired and scared, that much is obvious.
“Thanks again. For everything, Roman. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t here tonight.”
I was thinking much of the same.
She pushes off the porch step, shifting awkwardly on her feet. “I guess I should probably head inside now. I have to get up early for work and try to explain the situation to my boss.”
A glare steals over my face. “You’re not going back home, Olivia.”
Her brows draw in together, and she crosses her arms over her chest. “And where am I supposed to go, Roman?”
“You’ll stay at my place tonight. It’s safer.”
Her mouth drops open, as shock steals over her features. “You’re serious. You of all people?”
I roll my eyes. “Are you really that surprised?”
“Actually, yes, I am.”
I bite back a smirk and jerk my head over my shoulder, toward my house. “C’mon. You can take my bed. I’ll take the couch.” I don’t bother waiting for a response. Instead, I cross our lawns and unlock my front door. She follows me, looking wary but bone-tired.
“No. No, you should take your bed. I’ll take the couch. This is your house, after all.”
Heaving a deep sigh, I toss my keys onto the table and lock up behind us. Olivia is still standing near the front door, taking in the living room and kitchen. She’s been in here once before, but by the way she’s looking around, it’s obvious she forgot what my place looked like.
“Take my bedroom, Olivia. The spare bedroom doesn’t have any furniture yet. It felt a little premature, considering I don’t know if they’ll allow Ryder to stay with me. I’m already taking the couch. It’s fine.”
Leaving her standing there, I head back into my bedroom, fixing the sheets up for her, as best as I can. I was lying in bed when I heard the crash, so it’s not like I was doing anything she should be grossed out over. I hear her soft footfalls across the hardwood floors, and they pause at the threshold.
“At the risk of sounding like a total and complete ungrateful asshole, are your sheets…well, are they…?”
I turn around, crossing my arms over my chest, unable to hide my smirk. “Are they what, babe?”
Her eyes widen, and that flush, that I’m beginning to love, spreads from her neck up to her cheeks. She licks her lips and glances from me, to the bed, then back.
“I’m asking if the sheets are clean. There. I said it.” She drops her hands down at her sides, letting them slap against her thighs. “And don’t call me that.”
Taking a step toward her, I cock my head to the side, assessing her. “Call you what?”
She frowns, her eyes narrowing, ever so slightly. “You know what.”
Unable to help it, a full-blown smile spreads across my face. “You make it too easy, Olivia. I’ll be out here. Let me know if you need anything.”
I leave the door cracked behind me and grab extra pillows and blankets from the hall closet for the couch. It won’t be