Page 33 of Barristers & Bones

“Cameron, she’s my intern, and during that time, she’s not going on dates, having lunch with, orfuckinganyone I introduce her to. I’d say it was good to see you, but that would be a lie. If you’ll excuse us.”

I took in a sharp breath. “You didnotjust say that.”

Roman glanced at me and grinned wickedly. “Yes, I believe I did.”

Cameron shrugged, not intimidated by Roman’s cold bluntness. “That’s not up to you, is it? Luna, it was a pleasure to meet you. I’ll be in touch.”

“You too, Cameron.” I smiled at him and waved with my free hand as Roman growled and started dragging me away.

When we were out of earshot, he leaned down and murmured in my ear. “For the love of God, stop being so provocative or I might have to hurt someone. Cameron came close, and I usually like the fucker.”

I stopped dead on the sidewalk, violently yanked my hand out of his grip, and glared up at him. “Stop being such a mean asshole. It wasn’t my fault, and if you ever say something like that again, I might have to hurtyou.”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then let it out through his nose. “Come on, let’s get back to the office.” We sat in loud silence on the drive back.

I had another nightmare that night, only this time it varied from the usual horrific flashbacks, and it made the dream more terrifying.

Alexa was the one who shook me awake this time. “Luna, wake up. You’re scaring me. Luna!” I gasped, and my eyes flew open. My body was clammy, but I felt sweaty and sick. Rolling off my bed, I stumbled to the bathroom and threw up what remained of my dinner, barely making it to the toilet.

My head hung over the bowl as I waited for the heaving to stop. Alexa ran hot water over a washcloth and when my stomach settled, she handed it to me.

She looked worried and rubbed my back soothingly. “It must’ve been a doozy. I don’t remember you throwing up before.”

My hands shook, and sweat and tears bathed my face. “It was different this time. Oh, God, what if they’re getting worse instead of better?”

“Didn’t your therapist encourage you to talk about them? I’ll listen.”

After washing my face, rinsing my mouth a few times, and brushing my teeth, we walked out to the kitchen. It was just after five in the morning, and we gave up trying to go back to bed.

“Where’s Sylvie?” I asked her.

Alexa turned to me with the tea kettle in her hand. “She got up a few minutes before your nightmare started. I think she went down to the mortuary. They had a suicide come in yesterday.”

We shared a look, and I thought of Sylvie down in the embalming room by herself. “What was the cause of death?”

“Intentional overdose.”

I sighed in quiet relief. It was still horrible, but at least it wasn’t by hanging. The three of us had suffered childhood trauma, and we all knew each other’s triggers. No wonder we got along so well. “Let’s keep an eye on her over the next few days.”

Alexa nodded. “Tell me about your dream. How was it different this time?”

Speaking about that night always left me feeling gutted and hollow. I rubbed my hand over my face and sighed. “It was bad.”

She grabbed two mugs and pulled a packet of tea down from the cupboard. “How bad? Worse than your usual dream?”

“Yes. I think I was an adult this time, and… Roman Fowler stood in the closet doorway.”

“Well, fuck,” Alexa exhaled.

“Yeah.” I didn’t tell her about me pleading with him to help me wake up, to stop my father, to not blame me–for what I didn’t know. But in the dream, Roman stared at me with his cold, flat eyes as I lay there panting in pain, my arm at an odd angle, blood coating my face and chest. Then he stepped back and shut the closet door.

Chapter 10

Luna

The dream faded, and Thanksgiving came. I didn’t ask Roman about his plans because I was afraid he’d demand I go into the office. After spending my entire October fall break with him, I thought it was a reasonable fear.

Sylvie needed assistance embalming a large corpse that had come in a few days ago, so we planned to do it on Thanksgiving morning. Before heading to the embalming room, I ate a fast breakfast and changed into leggings and a long-sleeve t-shirt so I’d be comfortable under the protective equipment.

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