Page 64 of Born Free

He walks into the main area of the club, his eyes casting around. He knows I’m here, but when his eyes don’t settle anywhere in particular, I think he can’t narrow in on my exact location.

I don’t get too long to wonder what the hell is going on, though, because once more, the door opens, and Roman walks in.

My heart thumps. I guess I’ve reached the point where just the sight of him sends my pulse racing. But also, Sebastian killed Roman once. As far as I know, this is the first time the two of them have been alone together since everything went to shit.

“What do you want?” Roman growls, straight to the point. His tone is aggressive. “You know how dangerous it is for us to be here.”

“You don’t want Royals knowing you own a nightclub targeted specifically to vampires?” Sebastian asks, playing dumb. “You don’t want trouble, don’t go creating it.”

Something about this feels off. Sebastian is antagonizing Roman. It feels purposeful. Calculated.

“I’m letting you live because you matter to Juliet,” Roman says, his tone getting lower, quieter, more deadly. He takes slow steps toward Sebastian, but the man doesn’t back down or look intimidated one bit. “But there are limits to my patience.”

“Seems pretty damn solid to me,” Sebastian says, just as low and dangerously calm.

I didn’t even hear the door open or close. But there, in the dark shadows, I catch just a hint of movement. And all of my blood turns cold.

Orlando is silent as a shadow and blends in just as well. He walks slowly, listening. He stops in the hallway, waiting just outside the main area.

This is no damn coincidence. Sebastian’s note. Roman’s arrival. Orlando knowing just where to go to listen.

“You waited ten months before making your move on my fiancée,” Sebastian continues. “I think your patience is pretty impressive.”

“The terms of our agreement are running thin,” Roman says, taking yet another step toward Sebastian. “You’ve caused nothing but pain in this city. Juliet might not actually want you dead, but you’re being here is just continually pouring salt in the wound. I think it’s time for you to leave Chicago.”

Trust me. Trust me.Trust me.

Sebastian’s written words pound in my head as loud as the heated conversation below me.

This is bad. Roman has no idea his brother is listening, and right now, it feels like Sebastian is leading him into a trap.

Trust me.

Please.

My entire body is trembling with terror, but I stay silent, keeping complete control on my breathing so as to not be heard.

“Is that an order as a Royal or as a council member?” Sebastian says, sealing the danger.

Shit.

No.

My brain screamsno, the word dancing right on my lips.

Sebastian was never supposed to tell Orlando that his own brother was a founding member of the council he’s so livid about. But he’s just said it, and I know Sebastian knows Orlando is listening.

“Doesn’t matter,” Roman growls. “I want you gone, out of the city before the end of the week.”

And with that, Roman hasn’t denied being a council member, and even though I can’t see Orlando’s facial reaction to this, I see him stand straighter. There’s danger in his stance. There’s action curling his fists.

Trust me.

“So you can carry Juliet off into the sunset, happily ever after, without me in the way?” Sebastian snarls. Panic is closing my throat tight. Sebastian gave me his word that he wouldn’t stand in our way. Roman told him that if he made one more comment, Roman would tear his tongue out. And now this. “Face it, Roman. Juliet doesn’t want me dead because part of her knows that no one will understand her the way I do. She may never forgive me for what I did, but she still loves me, and you willnevererase all of that.”

“Shut your damn mouth!” Roman suddenly bellows, closing the distance between them. Roman grips the lapels of Sebastian’s coat, yanking him hard, hissing right in his face. “Don’t you for one second think you’re going to win her back. You’re right. Juliet will always love you. I will not ever ask anything different from her. But you broke her, you asshole. You shattered her the night of your engagement party. Love isn’t control. It isn’t stalking someone every moment of every day. It isn’t trying to take out dozens of vampires. You don’t even understand the definition of the word!”

“And you do?” Sebastian bellows back. He shoves Roman in the chest, separating the two of them. “Look at the timing, Roman. We find out you’re a Royal, and suddenly Juliet falls in love with you?” Sebastian shakes his head.

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