Page 17 of Born Free

“It’s pretty damn sexy,” I say, my tone low and husky, a smile flitting on my lips. I rise onto the balls of my feet and press my lips to his.

Roman’s hand cups the side of my face, and he deepens the kiss. His scent envelops me, making every hormone in my body go completely haywire. His other hand slowly slides down, coming to my lower back.

Ugh. The things I would do for this man. The things Ihavedone for him. And this was once a man I was terrified of, and now I trust him with every cell of my cursed and gifted being.

“Anything else I need to know?” I ask. As much as I want to stay right here and get lost outside of reality in my apartment with Roman, I know we need to get going.

Roman steps back and watches me pull on my shoes. “They’re fairly hands-off when it comes to their rule,” he adds. “Of the four Houses that reign over the States, theirs has the highest population. The number of problems they should have to deal with is… overwhelming. Yet in the twenty-plus years I’ve been in Chicago, they’ve never stepped foot in the city.”

“Which is shocking,” I note. I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder. We step for the door and walk out. I lock the door behind me. “I mean, it’s Chicago, which is drama on its own. And look at everything that’s happened just in the amount of time I’ve been here. I know I wasn’t the first chaos this city has ever had to deal with.”

Roman shakes his head as we step into the elevator. “I can think of at least three instances when it should have been the Allaways’ job to take care of things, yet it was the Council that did what was needed.”

“Hopefully this helps to our advantage,” I say, letting out a hard breath. “Let’s just pray they have a great time at this party and go home.”

Roman’s silence as we step out of the elevator is an answer that he doesn’t expect that to be the case.

It’s raining outside, so we take Roman’s SUV. The streets are crowded, and parking is a nightmare in a vehicle of this size, but finally, we step foot into the building. I let out a slow, controlled breath as we rise up the elevator.

The fear Jon has created in me over the Royals is real. I vowed that I would eternally stay off their radar, yet here they are, the leaders of not one, but two, Houses.

And hell, it’s my life, so I know things can’t just go smoothly.

Roman places a hand at the small of my back as we step out. It’s a reassuring gesture, one that reminds me that I’m not alone tonight. We’re a team. I slide my hand into his, interlacing our fingers, a reminder to him that I’m here for him too, no matter what happens tonight.

Elena went all out. Where the event room was all black and white last night, it’s now washed in hues of red and gold. The décor is over the top, and there’s no way she threw this party without spending well over ten grand.

Servers weave their way in and out of the guests, offering fancy little appetizers and carrying around champagne glasses filled with blood.

There are a few familiar faces here. It’s a party, after all, so we had to invite a few trusted vampires to represent the population. Dr. Roshan is among them, as well as Tabitha and Patrick. Ivana, who is a member of Roman’s team, floats effortlessly among the crowd. There are a few other people I recognize as employees of Mason’s.

The rumors about Roman possibly being a royal in hiding have spread throughout the city. Tonight, it will be confirmed to enough people it will solidify it all as fact.

Among the crowd, there is Orlando’s crew we were all introduced to last night. There are a dozen humans. And considering what this party is about, flaunting power, I know they’re only here as blood bags.

It’s immediately clear who is here from the House of Allaway. It’s impossible to miss Chelsea and Charles. Each has fiery red hair, there’s no mistaking they’re siblings. And there are five other vampires with them that I don’t recognize, apparent members of their House.

Elena slides up beside us, looking as goddess-like as usual.

“So far, no one has died, and only one human has been turned into a blood bag,” she says, her eyes scanning the crowd.

“Any interaction with the Allaways yet?” I ask, keeping my tone low. Vampires have exceptional hearing. There are forty-something people here, and the music is fairly loud, but I don’t need anyone overhearing our conversations.

“Oh yeah,” Elena says, raising her eyebrows. “They’re… a treat.”

I don’t know how to interpret that, but I get some first-hand experience right off the bat, because Chelsea’s eyes slide over to Roman, and stay fixed. She grabs Charles roughly by the elbow and drags him over with her.

“Andres Badillo,” Chelsea says, her tone dripping with flirtation. “It’s almost like seeing a ghost. Is it true you have actual amnesia?”

“Chelsea, it’s nice to meet you,” Roman says coolly, extending a hand. He keeps it very formal, and completely ignores her question. “Charles. Welcome to Chicago.”

“Can you believe we’ve been in this area for over forty years, and this is our first time in the city?” Chelsea lays a hand on Roman’s arm and a prickly monster flares inside me. I’d really like to rip her hand from him and feed it to the rats that hide out in the alleyways.

“You don’t say?” Roman responds. He’s trying to be cordial and relaxed, but it comes out sounding more condescending than I think he means to.

“You hear about all the violence and murders, and whoever wants to dive into that?” Charles says with a chuckle. “Though I think the news exaggerates. So far, I haven’t even seen a single gun.”

He and Chelsea laugh as if it’s the funniest thing ever said. Roman, Elena, and I just look at them, blinking in disbelief.

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