Page 45 of Born Chaos

“I’m going to talk to Sebastian tomorrow,” I say, feeling my resolve strengthen. “I have to get back to work. I’m not doing anyone any good hiding. If I’m going to help get this figured out, I need to get back to the hospital.”

“What do you need from me?” Roman asks, not an ounce of hesitation.

I look over at him, suddenly so damn grateful for him. It’s disorienting, having my attitude toward him change so rapidly. “Be there as my backup?”

“Of course,” he says, his tone steely.

“Can I borrow that phone?” I ask, holding out my hand.

Roman pulls it from his pocket. I flip it open and stare at the numbers for a moment, taking in a steadying breath.

This morning, after Roman showed me the video of Sebastian tearing my apartment apart, I considered just disappearing. Maybe he didn’t deserve an explanation, closure, a goodbye.

But this isn’t just about me and my desire not to have to face the man who has devolved into something I barely recognize.

We all have to be adults, for the common good.

I dial his cell phone number and hold the outdated device to my ear.

“This is Dr. Vincent,” he answers, his tone hard.

“It’s me,” I say as adrenaline spikes in me at hearing his voice.

“Juliet!” There’s an entire gospel choir’s worth of variety of emotions in his voice. Relief. Anger. Shock.

“We need to meet,” I press forward before he can say anything else. “Tomorrow night, nine o’clock. Meet me at the Bean. We’ll talk.”

“Juliet, I—”

But I hang up before he can say another word. I dial Elena’s number and hold the phone to my ear.

“Hello?” she answers, but her tone sounds distracted.

“Elena, it’s me,” I say, staring at a wall.

“Oh my heavens, woman, what the hell is going on?” she explodes.

“Look, I’ll explain what I can later, but I need you to do me a favor, okay?”

“Anything,” she promises, and this is one of the reasons why I love her.

“I’m going to talk to Sebastian tomorrow night,” I start. “Roman is going with me, but I just… I want to make sure my bases are covered. Will you come and just… hang back? Observe? And if things go south…”

“I’ll take the bastard out,” she fills in, her tone hard. “Shit, Juliet, what did he do?”

“Like I said, I’ll explain everything later,” I say. My heart is pounding, and my head is spinning just a little. “But I’ve got to go. We’re meeting at the Bean, nine o’clock.”

“I’ll be there,” she answers, a little exasperated. “But Juliet, you should probably know. I took Tabitha to the hospital an hour ago. She’s in a coma.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and curse. Why does everything in the world have to fall apart at once? Can’t they take turns? “I’m so sorry, Elena.”

“Yeah,” she says simply, her worry and grief coming through the line. “I’ll be there tomorrow.” And she hangs up.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

I let out a hard,steadying breath. It instantly fogs the air around us. Snow is just starting to fall softly from the sky. It’s quiet out. No one wants to be outside right now. But I don’t hesitate as I cross the street, and we hook to the right, heading down the last block.

Roman walks right beside me. I didn’t ask, but I know he’s armed to the teeth. The tension in his shoulders could snap at a wrong breath. The look in his eyes is icy and intense. And I’m reminded why he looked so terrifying when I first met him. Roman is dangerous. He’s deadly.

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