Page 27 of Born Free

I don’t know why I hesitate. Santiago has done a bad thing to me. He literally murdered me twelve times. But I know Roman. His words, the ones when he said he would throw himself in front of a thousand stakes just so he wouldn’t have to watch me die again, live deep inside of me now. I know the vengeance Roman will execute.

“She’s never going to tell you, and that’s answer enough,” Sebastian says, proving that he does know me better than I wish he did.

“Twelve,” I say, just to further unravel any small connection that still exists between us.

There’s nothing but darkness left in his eyes as Roman looks back at Santiago. “I just wish you could die more than one death,” he says darkly. He carves a line into Santiago’s arm. And then a number—two. Santiago’s cries of pain and fear grow more frantic by the moment. “A death for a death.” Roman carves a number three and then a four into Santiago’s flesh. “But even that would not satisfy my need for revenge.”

Santiago is writhing, a chorus of yells and screams as Roman continues carving numbers into his skin.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Blood pours from Santiago’s arm as Roman switches to the other arm.

“Let this be the last lesson you’ll ever learn,” Roman says, his tone stone cold as he carves an eight and a nine. “Touching a woman out of greed…” Ten. Eleven. “Will be the last thing you ever do.”

Twelve.

Santiago looks a nightmare, the number of deaths he caused me carved into his very skin, blood pouring down them.

“May you burn in hell for your sins,” Roman says, and he plunges the dagger straight through Santiago’s heart.

His eyes flash wide for just a second, his mouth agape in the shape of a shocked O. He stares into Roman’s savage, furious eyes.

And then the light dies in Santiago’s eyes. His skin grays and his body falls still.

The room is silent for a few moments, the weight of death heavy in the air.

Sebastian mutters a curse at Roman’s savagery.

Roman stands, and it’s kind of amazing the way the entire atmosphere changes as he crosses the cottage and pulls me to my feet, before wrapping his arms around me.

“I’m sorry,” he breathes as he tucks his nose into my hair. “I never…”

“There was nothing you could have done,” I say as I cling to him, reveling in this feeling that’s nearly indescribable. I feel safe. I feel calm. I feel warm and at ease, despite everything that’s just happened. “Chelsea is a bitch. She killed me because she was drooling all over you. Santiago saw her take me out and then watched me Resurrect.”

Roman squeezes me tighter, as if he can absorb me and protect me from anything bad ever happening again.

But it isn’t the only feeling filling up the room.

There’s something different permeating the space. Betrayal and anger. And it draws my eyes upward. Sebastian stares at Roman and me, clinging to each other like the last breath we’ll ever take.

“You still expect me to believe there was nothing going on between the two of you?” he says, his tone cold but… exhausted.

“So, I get to cut your tongue out now?” Roman growls as he turns, glaring Sebastian down, taking one menacing step toward him.

Sebastian holds up two hands, conceding. “It doesn’t matter anymore,” he says, but it sounds like he’s talking to himself. “I know what I did. I know I broke everything. Juliet is free to move on down the line.”

Hot, angry tears sting the backs of my eyes. My throat feels tight. My hands curl into fists.

The curses flow freely as Roman steps forward. His fist connects with Sebastian’s jaw, snapping his head backward. Sebastian staggers backward, catching himself against the kitchen cabinets. His eyes flash red, black veins sprouting over his skin.

But he doesn’t fight back.

“You don’t get to say a damn word,” Roman seethes. His shoulders rise and fall as he breathes hard, vengeance filling his entire body. “This is your last warning. One more thing, one more jab, you make her feel even an ounce of guilt, and I will take your tongue, then pull your insides out.”

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