Page 13 of Born Free

I rock up onto the balls of my feet, my hand lacing into his black hair, and I pull his lips to mine.

Mason and I were living outside of reality, and eventually, that came to an end. Sebastian and I were all about connecting over our pain in the past.

But Roman? I feel like Roman is all about my future. With Roman, I’ve grown. I’ve healed. And all that was before I even realized how I felt about him.

His hands wrap around my waist, pulling my center toward his, gripping me tight. His teeth tease my lower lip. His five o’clock shadow scratches my chin, and it’s the most incredible thing. His scent, the aura that just emanates from him, it’s intoxicating as it fills me.

I nod in answer to his question. He pulls back, just slightly so he can look into my eyes. “Okay. When it comes to the House, I’m as attached to you as every square inch of your skin.”

He lets out the smallest, relieved breath and leans in to take my lips once again.

Roman De Luca. I’m kissing Roman freaking De Luca like he’s my last breath on this earth. Someone I was once totally terrified of, is holding on to me like I’m the only reason he’s alive. And even though we haven’t actually figured out where we are with each other, what we are, I feel his touch down to my core. I feel his want, his claiming, all the way down to my soul.

Roman’s phone chirps, and we both crash back down to reality. We have somewhere to be, and we have to get moving.

“Let’s go,” Roman says. He steps toward the door, but not before he catches my hand in his, our fingers intertwining.

We walk several blocks and find the address is the John Hancock building. Just as we step inside, I find Jon waiting.

“Not going to lie, I’m nervous about this,” Jon says as Roman and I walk to join him. “What you all are doing here in Chicago, it’s damn unique. The possible consequences if the Royals figure it out…”

Roman raises a finger to his lips, the clear signal to be quiet. And he’s right, Orlando could easily have planted someone to listen to our conversation.

Jon immediately shuts his lips and nods. Just then, Elena and Mason walk in, each of them looking god-like, powerful, intimidating, ready to handle anyone, even Royals, especially flanked by their bodyguards, Tabitha and Patrick.

“Let’s go,” Elena says, and heads to the elevator without hesitation. Ten seconds later, it dings, and the doors slide open. The seven of us step inside, and Roman presses the button for one of the very top levels.

“As far as the Royals are concerned, Juliet and I are all but married,” Roman says, his tone even, nothing but fact leaving his lips. “I’m not letting there be any wiggle room in this. Orlando isn’t going to say shit about heirs. Everyone got it?”

There’s a moment of surprised hesitancy as each of them digests what Roman just said. But each of them mutters in agreement. The unease that comes from Mason and Elena is palpable. Elena knows the harm she did by being so hard-core on Mason needing kids. Mason knows he has to have them, and he knew it back then, too.

But as Roman grips my hand tightly, he’s so damn steady. I feel no question marks, no gray areas.

He means it. He’s sure.

Something tingles across my skin. My heart does this weird little flutter. I feel my confidence grow just a little, and the peace I’ve been searching for my entire life saturates one layer deeper.

It’s a long ride up the massive skyscraper. Finally, the door dings and slides open.

I think this space might be a club, but honestly, it’s hard to tell. The floors are polished black marble. The walls and ceiling are also painted black. Floor-to-ceiling windows give the most incredible view of the city just after sundown. There’s a bar to one side, and a lounge area on the opposite side with white couches and overstuffed chairs. The center of the space is clear, maybe a dance floor.

How the hell did Orlando get access to this space?

Orlando is in the lounge area, talking to a woman with this charming look of complete attention. She’s human, I can smell that immediately. There are six other human men and women here. With the seven House members Orlando brought with him, it’s a much larger crowd than I expected. It makes our entourage feel tiny.

“Andres,” Orlando says with a smile as his eyes slide over to us. He holds his arms wide in greeting, but it all feels like a dramatic show. “Dr. Juliet Doe. I am so happy you’ve come. And you’ve brought friends.”

If he’s surprised or bothered by us bringing others with us, Orlando doesn’t show it. He simply turns curious eyes on each of them.

“This is Elena and Mason Godfrey,” Roman introduces them. “And Juliet’s father, Jon. Tabitha. Patrick. Everyone, this is my brother, Orlando.”

Mason extends a hand to shake, but Orlando simply ignores it and wraps Mason in a hug instead, as if we’re all just one big happy family. I don’t know what game he’s playing right now, but I don’t like it.

“Andres never did have many friends, so I’m thrilled to hear he’s finally figured out how to not scare everyone away with those dirty looks of his,” Orlando says, releasing Mason, who looks extremely uncomfortable and turns to Jon. He gives a moment of observation, noting my father’s scars, before hugging him as well.

When Orlando turns to Elena, she holds a hand up, pressing her fingertips into Orlando’s chest, keeping him at bay. “I don’t do hugs.”

Tabitha looks like she’d very much like to tear Orlando apart, limb from limb. But she holds it together for the sake of everyone’s cover.

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