Page 25 of Roman

These men weren’t simply wealthy, they were filthy rich.She could tell by the view that she was in a mansion on one of the highest hills in West Hollywood.

Grigori gave her one of the softest robes she’d ever felt and pushed her into the bathroom.Because she was theirprisoner.He’d laughed and done air quotes with his fingers while saying the word.He had made her leave the door open but sat over on the bed so he couldn’t see her.All the while, he talked loudly to her from the other room about what amazing things he was going to cook her for breakfast.

Once Charlotte had finished having the best shower of her life, Grigori led her back downstairs, sat her back at the marble table, and moved to the kitchen, where he was singing loudly.

“Do you want sugar and milk in your coffee?”he called from the other room.

This is so fucking weird,she thought, the amazing aroma of coffee beans making its way to her.Just go with it,she told herself,the smell taking over all her senses.“Yes, please, but just one sugar,” she replied, like they did this all the time.

Charlotte couldn’t wait to drink her coffee and have something to eat.Her stomach screamed for food, plus she had to get some of her strength back.While she had been in the shower, she’d decided she was going to suck it up and be abadass bitch,as Ava would put it, and walk out of this house without anybody stopping her.Otherwise, she would find a phone, call the cops, and wait for them to come get her from this freak show.

Now, feeling a bit better, she’d pieced the last few days together.She was kidnapped by what these people are calling demons.They had fought them and saved her, only to now keep her here for God knows what reason.Grigori seemed nice and was extremely friendly.Maybe he could give me some answers,she wondered, as he came from the kitchen to hand her a cup of coffee.

“Give me two seconds, and I shall bring you out a breakfast feast befitting a queen.”He winked as he returned to the kitchen, singing all the way.She watched his winged tattoo as he went, wondering if they all had the tattoos on their backs.

The smell of food drifted her way, her stomach grumbling in anticipation.Charlotte couldn’t remember when she had eaten last, and she found herself excited about the meal coming her way.From what she could smell, it was going to be delicious.

She took a sip of her coffee, her eyes closing in pure bliss.The scent of it had been incredible, but finally tasting it…Amazing.It was the best coffee she’d ever had, and she groaned as she took another sip, relishing the feel of the warm liquid running down her throat.

“Good, no?I have the coffee beans shipped in from Italy.”Grigori startled her as he returned carrying a large tray.He sat it on the table, taking platters off and arranging them in front of her.

Charlotte nodded with a small smile.“Yes, thank you.”She couldn’t believe her eyes as she gazed at all the food.

Croissants, waffles, pancakes, all kinds of syrup, jams, and a beautiful platter of assorted fruit.

“You made all of this?”Her stomach grumbled louder than before.

“Yes, of course.It’s nice to cook for someone else other than these ungrateful angels for a change.”He chuckled.“Oh, hang on.”He smiled before rushing off to the kitchen again.

Angels?Memories of a blur of giant wings, Armaros with his purple glowing eyes, flooded her mind.Hell, she had seen Roman’s eyes glow a few times now.Then, there were her dreams and talks of demons.If demons were real, then she supposed it made sense angels would exist as well.Maybe I’m not going crazy after all.

Charlotte decided it was time to accept the things she’d seen and heard.Too many odd things had happened for her to just dismiss it all.Armaros being a real person was proof that everything she’d seen and heard had to be real.

She needed to get some answers, and she had to find out exactly what Grigori meant by angels, ask him about the demons, and find out how she was involved in all this madness.Then she would get the hell out of here and find Ava.

Oh no, Kate.Panic hit her.Charlotte didn’t show up for the morning shift, so Kate would get the blame and maybe even lose her job.Charlotte needed a phone ASAP.

“Now we can eat.”Grigori returned with another tray full of food, and this time, he set out platters full of crispy bacon, hash browns, poached eggs, baked beans, and baby sausages with an array of different sauces and salt and pepper.

“Oh my god, this all looks so amazing.I can’t even remember when I ate last, Grigori.Thank you.”Charlotte beamed at him, truly grateful for his kindness.

Grigori stilled as he reached for two empty plates, his brow creased in a small frown.He quickly gave a shake of his head, dazzling her with another smile.

“Prego, you’re welcome.Now eat.It is a sin to go hungry.”

Was that Italian he’d spoken?she wondered, remembering one of Ava’s flings who’d been a tourist from Italy.

“Grigori, may I ask a favor?”Charlotte asked shyly.

Grigori’s brow creased again as he stilled and stared at her.“Depends on what it is and if it’s in my ability to grant it, my sweet.”

“One of my friends is heavily pregnant.I was supposed to show up and cover her shift, but I was… taken.I need to call her or my work and make sure she doesn’t get into too much trouble.Our boss is a horrible man.Please?”she begged, praying he would help her.

Grigori smiled.“Don’t stress yourself.You know I can not give you a phone, what with you being our prisoner.”Again, with the air quotes.“But I will see what I can do.What’s the name of the place?”

“Hal’s Dinner,” Charlotte blurted out immediately, relief washing over her.“Oh my god, thank you so much.”

Grigori smiled and told her not to think anything of it as he placed a plate in front of her and encouraged her to take one of everything.

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