Page 2 of Born Free

Even Godfrey tower smells like dozens and dozens of vampires.

Hell, the hospital is even full of vampires.

Literally, the only place that doesn’t put us in question is my apartment.

So, with my hand firmly gripped around Roman’s, we walk swiftly in the direction of my apartment.

“Of all the places you could choose to spend your winters, you choose Chicago?” the man asks. Considering he seems to be the one in charge, I have to assume this is Orlando.

“What, you don’t like the negative temperatures and the sideways wind?” I ask sarcastically. I’m trying to divert attention away from Roman as long as I can. I’m trying to give him even just a few more seconds to think through what’s about to happen.

“I think I prefer the house on the beach,” he says. I look over my shoulder at him, only to see his eyes dropping down the length of me, clearly studying my ass in this golden dress that feels like it’s made out of water.

We turn the last corner and go straight for my doors. Crossing to the elevator, I look back at the group. “This thing can only handle four people at a time. Thirty-second floor.”

The doors open then, and Roman and I step inside, followed by Orlando and another man.

“From the looks of things, you’re someone important to my brother,” he says. He’s still shamelessly studying me, all the way down the deep V in the front that plunges nearly to my belly button. Roman growls, and Orlando smirks at the immediate confirmation. “Seems an introduction is worth our time.”

I just can’t help it. One of my brows raises, and I know I’m giving him ayou can’t be seriouslook.

“This one is easy to offend,” Orlando remarks, raising an eyebrow of his own.

“I’m definitely not a fan of condescending assholes who put their noses where they don’t belong.”

This damn mouth of mine is going to keep getting me in trouble for my long, entirely immortal life.

The man standing beside Orlando growls and steps forward. Roman’s other hand immediately snaps forward, palm flat to the man’s chest, shoving him back. His back hits the wall of the elevator, and we all jerk sideways as the rickety box rises.

“Nessun danno previsto,” Orlando says, and shit, I don’t know what that means, but I’m already learning to hate that smile of his. “I simply wanted to be introduced to my brother’s very tempting girlfriend.”

Goosebumps race up my spine, all the way over my scalp, at that word.

I’m no one’s girlfriend. Up until thirty minutes ago, I had no idea Roman was anything more to me than my best friend.

“My name is Juliet Doe,” I say, asserting myself, standing to my full height, all five foot three of it. “DoctorJuliet Doe.”

“Well done,” Orlando says, arching an eyebrow at Roman. The elevator dings, and the doors slide open. We step out into the hall and aim toward my door. “Now that you’ve got the end- game girl, can I assume you produced a few pups before settling down?”

Cold fire rips through me at his words.

I hate this. I hate that this is something every woman in the world goes through. The fact that their worth is so often tied to the ability to produce offspring.

I was never good enough for Mason—because as soon as I died and Resurrected as a vampire, I couldn’t have kids. It was a huge contributing factor that led to our never being able to be together.

“Shut your mouth,” Roman growls as I unlock my door and push it open. “Juliet is right, you need to keep your nose where it belongs.”

“Pretty sure ensuring the lasting legacy of our Houseismy business,” Orlando says as he steps inside.

I feel cold sweat race across my palms.

That was about the last word I wanted to hear come out of Orlando’s mouth.

The other man steps inside, and I close and lock the door behind us. The others can wait outside as far as I’m concerned.

Orlando walks into my apartment, taking it all in with eyes that are far too observant. While he doesn’t have the same scary security vibe Roman does, I can tell he still makes it a point to know his surroundings.

Finally, he turns in the middle of my living room. “How rude of me. I haven’t even introduced us yet. This is Javier,” he says, indicating the man standing poised and ready beside him. “My name is Orlando Badillo, I’m Andres’ brother.”

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