Page 15 of Born Free

“Would you believe me if I said I have missed my only living family member and simply wanted to know why he seemingly abandoned me? If I wanted confirmation with my own eyes that he isn’t dead, because after twenty-four years, it’s what I began to believe?”

The room is silent, the weight filling the room like poisonous gas.

After the way he’s been talking, I doubt the others in the room will believe him. His tone tells me he doesn’t think they will.

But I hear something in his voice.

I hear it in the undercurrents of his tone.

Is that really all Orlando is here for?

Family matters. I discovered just how much when my long-lost father showed up after twenty-nine years of having no idea who he was. Orlando is telling the truth on that part, Roman is his only remaining family. Their sister died as a child, their mother and father both met their demises.

Could it really be as simple as wanting to reconnect?

“Doesn’t make much sense, considering Roman—Andres—is the elder son,” Mason says, throwing the truth into question. “You’re putting yourself at a huge risk by seeking him out.”

“Do you want the House, Andres?” Orlando asks, his tone bored.

“No,” Roman answers flatly.

Orlando arches a brow and looks back at Mason with a half-smile. “See?”

I still don’t think I buy it, and I get the feeling that neither do any of the others with me.

“I want to get one thing straight,” Roman speaks up. “I have no intention of going back to Spain with you. My life is here in Chicago, and I intend to keep living it.”

The Royal’s expression grows more serious, more irritated. He looks at his brother, and I try to understand the calculation there. The game. I need to understand the danger that he is.

“You sure about that?” Orlando asks. “We have a nice wing for you back at the House. How would you like to be tied to Royalty, Dr. Juliet? Where people revere your man, where respect is commanded? Where you don’t have to work another day in your life.”

Interesting tactic, using me to try and tempt Roman. “I’ll pass,” I say, not even considering what he’s proposing. “The hospital needs me. My friends are here. Besides, my Spanish is abysmal.”

That gains me another grin from Orlando. “Estaré feliz de enseñarte.”

“Ni en sueños,” Roman snarls back, the Spanish words rolling off his tongue without a moment of thought.

Orlando smiles again, entirely entertained by whatever he just said. “You all will have to forgive my poor manners. I have yet to introduce my House members.”

He barely raised his voice, but each of those House members stands right then, coming to circle around their Royal. I scan their faces, memorizing every one.

“My second in command, Javier,” Orlando introduces, indicating the man with an incredible jawline and perfectly slicked-back black hair. He is the one who accompanied Orlando into my apartment when Roman and I talked. “His brother, Santiago. Then we have the lovely Lisa, and no one could forget Georgia. And then there is Lucas, Bruno, and Hugo.”

Guess we know who his least favorites of the bunch are.

“Is this the entirety of your House?” Mason asks.

“Stars, no,” Orlando chuckles. “I couldn’t leave an unattended region. Gabriela is keeping things in order at home. The House of Badillo is seventy-one members strong.”

Holy shit.

Seventy-one House members? I had absolutely no idea that the Houses had anywhere near those numbers when it came to their members. Ten, twelve, maybe eighteen? Seventy-one able-bodied vampires is practically a private army.

“Are most Houses that big?” Elena asks, unable to completely cover her surprise.

“A few, but not most,” Orlando answers. “The House of Badillo is an old one with deep allies. Few typically leave once accepted into the fold.”

It’s hard to comprehend the loyalty and the ancient ties that come with these Royals. From my understanding, they run back thousands of years to some war that split the vampire population into two kinds: the Royals and the Born. And that too, was based on loyalty.

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