can trust Roman, someone who I know will have my back when and if the time comes. None of the men there want me as their leader. They’re pissed, and if something happens to me...”
“Nothing’s going to happen.” Violet speaks, her big blue eyes filled to the brim with love as she stares up at Ivan.
“I know kitten,” Ivan answers with a sad smile. “Nothing will happen because Roman will be there to help me if I need it...right?” He raises a thick brow, waiting for Roman to answer him.
“If anyone’s going to kill you, it will be me, and we both know that.”
Ivan rolls his eyes and chuckles.
“That’s about right.”
“What do you need me to do? I can ask around in the underground, listen to see if anyone’s discussing flesh sales?”
Listening to them talk about it so out in the open makes me sick. It reminds me that there are other people like my parents out there. Willing to do anything, even the most unethical things for money.
“Yeah.” He rubs at his scruffy jaw. “Don’t draw any attention to yourself. Simply keep your ear to the ground, listen for any details, and if you hear something, let me know. Let me deal with it. I don’t want you getting dragged into it.”
Roman nods and crosses his arms over his chest. His muscles bulge and tighten, and my mouth waters. When I see Roman’s eyes clash with mine, I look away, embarrassed to have been discovered ogling, even more so after just arguing with him.
Wanting him is inevitable, but having him, keeping him as mine, it’ll never happen.
Roman’s not the settling down type. He’s not even the kind of man who would have sex with a woman more than once. And even though I don’t know much about dating, from what I do know, that’s not the typical relationship between a man and woman.
“Aside from the fighting, how is everything else going?”
Roman shrugs. “Fine. Sophie is adjusting well.”
“Well, then I guess I can tell you I have a place set up for you,” Ivan looks at me as he speaks this time.
“What place?” I ask, confused. My stomach twists into knots at the thought of leaving Roman. It feels like we just crossed a bridge, like we were getting to know each other. For once, I feel safe, secure, without the need to look over my shoulder every five seconds, but now...now I’m going to have to start all over again.
“You know you were only supposed to stay here temporarily. Until I could find somewhere safe for you. The good news is I found a place. It’s being renovated right now, but it will be done very soon…and don't worry about anything. Everything will be paid for, and I’ll make sure you have enough money to live off for a while.”
I force a smile, only because I feel obligated to. I know Ivan’s only doing this to help me. He’s being extremely nice taking care of me and I should be grateful, and I am. But knowing this doesn't change how I feel about the thought of leaving.
Being away from Roman. Violet smiles at me wildly as if she is genuinely happy for me and I feel incredibly guilty for not being able to appreciate what they’re doing for me. My heart hurts so much, I can’t even stand to look at Roman right now. I wonder what he’s thinking. If he feels the same way I feel. If he wants to see what could happen for us. Or if he’s ready to get rid of me.
Roman jumps up, startling us all.
“I’m going to the gym,” he growls before making a hasty exit. Ivan shakes his head, while Violet looks utterly confused.
“He’ll be in a better mood when he gets back from the gym,” I lie trying to smooth over the situation.
Ivan shakes his head, disappointment reflecting in his eyes. “His mood swings are getting worse. He needs to stop taking that shit before it fucking kills him. If he ever loses it on you, call me. I won’t hesitate to bring you to the house with Violet and I.”
My heart stops before resuming an unnatural rhythm.
Before it kills him?
The thought of Roman hurt or dead floods me with dread. I can barely deal with the thought of me leaving this house and being away from him. But the thought of him dying…of him not existing anymore…I can’t even fathom it.
I could never live in a world where Roman isn’t