Page 41 of Born Free

Once the doors are fully closed, Roman is the one who lets out a relieved breath. Yes, all of that calm and reserve truly was a show.

“You were amazing in there,” I assure him. “You didn't rip any heads off or threaten any lives.”

Roman chuckles. “Trust me, it wasn't easy. And when he started in on the heir speak again...”

“Do you really think he's going to leave?” I ask. I feel slightly more able to breathe with every foot of space we gain between us and Orlando. But I won't truly be able to breathe again until he's on an airplane bound for Spain. “I saw the disappointment in his eyes when I said your memory loss was permanent. Orlando really does care for you. With his attitude, it's hard to imagine that getting him to return to Spain is going to be this simple.”

Roman shakes his head. “I still don't trust him. I'm just having a hard time accepting his reasons for being here. But maybe that just says something about me, that I've never cared for people in a way that's normal.”

“You're not the only one,” I admit. When you're constantly forced to watch your back, it's nearly impossible to believe that anyone can have pure motives.

“I'm going to send someone to Spain,” Roman says. He's still holding onto my hand, his grip tight. I might have relaxed a little now that we're not in the same room as Orlando, but Roman has not. “Orlando has to leave, and I'm not going to just take his word for it. I'm going to send someone tonight. They need to get Orlando’s attention there. He's the Regent, the one in charge of that area. If problems arise, it's his job to take care of them.”

“It's genius,” I say, truly impressed at Roman’s ability to think outside the box. “So long as he is a hands-on type of ruler.”

“It's a gamble we'll have to make,” Roman says as the doors slide open and we step out into the lobby. “I need to go get things in motion now. Are you headed back to work?”

I shake my head. “I made plans with Elena. I think I will head to Godfrey Tower now.”

Roman nods and snakes a hand around my waist. He pulls me in closer, hooking one finger under my chin. He leans in and presses his lips to mine. In all this time of stress and anxiety, I live for these moments. I can't wait for the day when things become “normal” and we finally have the chance to figure us out. But for now, I lean into his kiss and savor the darkness, the complexity on his lips.

“I love you,” I say, my voice soft but even. “No matter what happens. We're going to get through this. Chicago is going to be safe. And then we're going to carve out a very boring life for at least two months.”

Roman chuckles. “After the last year, two months sounds impossible. But I believe you. Somehow, we will make it reality.” he leans in and presses one last kiss to my forehead. “I love you, too.”

We walk out the doors together before heading separate ways on the sidewalk.

CHAPTERTEN

It'sa fifteen minute walk to Godfrey Tower, but I don't mind it. After everything that's happened, I need a few minutes to sort out my thoughts before I have to share it all with my best friend. Well, second best friend. Never saw that one coming.

“Welcome back, Doctor Doe,” Poe says as I walk through the doors. “Since I haven't seen you in ages, and I’m honestly dying to know, how do you really feel about Lily Roshan spending time in the Godfrey penthouse?”

“Poe,” I say, shaking my head. “I know you love a good bit of gossip, but don’t make this a thing. I am happy for Mason. I am thrilled for Lily. I’ve already picked out the dress I’m going to wear to their wedding.” Okay, I really haven’t yet, but it might as well be a done deal.

Poe places a temporary pass for me on the desk and leans forward as if he’s about to share some big secret. “Well then, there is this other rumor circulating around the city...”

“You need a new hobby,” I say as I grab the pass. “There’s a whole, actual life out there, no more need to live vicariously through anyone.”

“But I live for these juicy details!” Poe calls after me as I walk away toward the elevators.

I just chuckle to myself and swipe my pass. In a miracle of all miracles, an elevator immediately opens. I step inside, and I don't even have to press any buttons. My pass gives me a direct ride to the penthouse level.

It is eerily quiet when the doors open to the large space that exists between the twins’ penthouses. I strain my ears, listening for Mason. But when all I hear is silence, I assume he is at work right now. But I'm not here for him. I go directly to the door on the right and don't bother knocking.

The moment I open the door, music hits my ears, playing through the speaker system that runs through the entire penthouse. I have always teased Elena that she has the worst taste in music. It's all pop music, uppity and jumpy. Boy bands? Elena knows every single one that has ever existed, it seems like.

A scent hits my nose as I walk inside, and awkwardness fills me to the brim. Jon, my father, has been here. And recently.

Elena walks out from her bedroom, her phone pressed to her ear. She speaks business jargon, sounding official and rather annoyed. But her eyes flick over to me, and as soon as she realizes I have arrived, she ends the call.

“Will you go to Miami for me?” she asks, sounding like she is truly dreading it. “I need to go close this deal, and they won't do it over the phone. Do you know how much sunshine there is in Florida?”

“No,” I say as I shake my head, a content smile pulling on my lips. I've missed this, spending time with the very first person I ever learned to love. “Can't say that I do. I still haven't ever been to Florida. And now that the eyes are a little bit of a problem, I'm not sure I'm in too much of a hurry to visit.”

“And of course the sky there is bipolar,” she says as she makes her way into the living room, settling into a massive overstuffed couch. “One second you have sunshine, the next the sky goes black, and it dumps rain for the next 30 minutes. And you better watch out because you never know when a hurricane might roll through.”

I cross the room and sink into the couch beside her, tucking my legs up into my chest and wrapping my arms around them. “But isn't it nice that things are starting to look a little bit normal? Ten days ago, you were lying in a hospital bed, and I had no idea how or when I was going to wake you up.”

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