Page 13 of Roman

“He’s...” I try to answer but Roman beats me to it.

“I’m a... Friend of the family.” Roman shows his teeth in a smile that can’t be comfortable on his face. Then he looks over to Rhylee. “You said something about a spare room earlier?” Rhylee jumps up from her chair, ear to ear grin on her face.

“Yes. Come on I will show you.” She takes Roman’s arm and loops hers through it. I check Roman’s face to see if he is at all surprised by the action but he just goes along with it. Almost happy being led by her. I stare after them for far too long before Mike comes back to my thoughts.

“How did it go? You kind of took off without a word. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I was ever going to see you again.” I didn’t tell Mike everything. Especially about the club or Roman. Never once have I spoken of Roman to him.

“I found the help I needed. Roman is a… tracker. Sort of a PI,” I explain badly.

“Oh yeah? Lucky you then.” He takes a seat next to me, reaching out to clasp my hands in his. “Have you spoken to the cops? Do they know she is home safe? Does she remember anything about who took her?”

“No, she doesn’t remember anything. I called the precinct and they told us to come in tomorrow to give a statement.” Mike relaxes a little then and lets my hands go.

“Too bad she doesn’t remember anything. Her knowledge could help keep other girls from being kidnaped.” His hand goes up to his face to rub at his chin as if in deep thought for a moment then he looks back at me. “Take a few more days off from work. Be here with her. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind spending time with you.”

“Thank you. Really. That is so nice of you.” I stand from my seat at the table and wrap my arms around his middle. Mike is a good lookin guy. Fit and clean shaven. Sandy blond hair that is always gelled back to perfection. And the suits he wears are tailored to fit him like a glove.

“Anything for my girls. I will see you soon Baby Girl.” He leans down to place a kiss on my lips before walking out the door.

“Mmmm Baby Girl, huh?” I snap around to see Roman leaning against the kitchen countertop, arms crossed over his chest.

“Where is Rhylee?”

“Went to bed. I made sure her windows were locked before I left her room.”

“Do you think they will come back for her?” panic slices through me at the thought.

“No. They likely didn’t know who she was. Steven figured she was just spotted that night and taken because of her looks. The chances of them trying to find out who she is are slim.” He pushes himself off the countertop, then takes a step toward me. “That guy been in the picture long?”

“Mike? I’ve worked for him for years. I do PR for his company.” I nearly choke on the words when my throat dries up.

“What is his company?” Roman walks over to the table and starts clearing it off. I watch as he piles the small scraps onto one plate.

“Real Estate.” He scrapes off the plate into the garbage then starts filling the sink full of hot water.

“Didn’t know real estate needed PR.” He starts scrubbing away at the plates then before he can start rinsing them, I take the first one from his hand.

“What would you know about a real-estate company?” I stack the plates on the drying rack as they are rinsed.

“Got me there. So how long have you been screwing him?” I grip the plate he is handing me only to have it pulled back when I don’t answer right away.

“How is that any of your business?” he lets out a chuckle at the anger in my tone.

“Just was wondering how serious it is.”

“I’ve never been a fan of your hot and cold routine, so please stop it now.” Placing the last of the plates on the rack I find a towel and start drying them to put them away. “Why didn’t you leave?”

He is quiet for a moment then when I think that he must have left the room he speaks. “I wanted to. Probably should have but when she asked me to stay… I didn’t want to disappoint her I guess.”

“Don’t get her hopes up, Roman. You will break her heart and I can’t have that. Not after everything she has just gone through. Please. I know how terrible it is when you break a heart.” I turn away from him just when the first tear falls from my eye. That’s when I feel the heat of his palm come in contact with my shoulder.

“I thought I was doing you a favor. Saving you from a shit of a lifetime with me by being an asshole and pushing you away. Nothing good ever comes from me.” He lets out a breath. “Then when I saw her, I realized that was wrong, because damn, she is one hell of a kid.”

My breath hitches and I spin around to face him. “I’m so sorry.” Tears fall freely down my cheeks and he is quick to bring his thumbs up to swipe them away.

“I’m sorry too. It’s my fault you didn’t stay. My fault you didn’t tell me. Hell, it’s probably my fault she even got taken in the first place.” I laugh and shake my head at the last one.

“You know that wasn’t your fault. Not everything is about you Roman.” He laughs.

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