Page 100 of Downfall

“You think I don’t know that?” I half shout back. “You think I don’t want that? I love her for Christ sake.”

“Then go see her.”

“No.” I reply. It’s not enough. Love is not enough. In this moment I realise it. Because it’s not about my feelings, not about my wants. It’s about Rose. It’s about her proving it to me.

And the only way she can do that is if she comes to me.

Not the other way around.

“You’re being a fool.” She cries. “A stubborn, stupid fool.”

Perhaps she’s right. Perhaps I am. But as I storm out of the room I know I’m right. I have to wait for Rose. It’s the only way for us to clear the chasm between us.

Yet, in the meantime, that doesn’t mean I have to stay here and do nothing. In fact I think it’s about time our dear Governor learnt what happens when he touches things that aren’t his.

Roman

It’s late but I know the fucker is still awake. No doubt he’s sat in his office plotting how to rid himself of me.

I grin at the notion. That such a thing is possible.

I kick the door open and he jumps back looking at me in shock before he quickly recovers himself.

“Roman. Bit late for a chat isn’t it?” He says as if we have the kind of relationship where we just ‘chat’.

“It is but apparently this is needed.” I reply.

“What is?” He asks.

“Rose Capulet.”

He frowns. “What?”

“Stay the hell away from Rose.”

“She’s my nephew’s wife.” He says acting like that’s all it is. Like he hasn’t put his hands all over her. Like he hasn’t dared to imagine what she would feel like to fuck.

“Dead nephew.” I reply. “Which means she no longer has a connection to you.”

“I care for Rose. I’m not simply going to…”

“You will.” I say. “If I so much as hear you’ve looked in her direction there will be consequences. Big consequences. Ones you will not enjoy.”

He frowns and then the realisation hits him.

“Oh you fool.” He says quietly. “You absolute fool. You think her family would let her near you? You think her father would ever permit such a match?”

“She’s a grown woman. She can be with who she wants.” I snap.

He laughs. He actually has the audacity to laugh. “No Roman. That’s not how this works. You know that. Ignatio is head of his family. He controls Rose.”

“And I control you.” I smirk. “So whatever game you have going on it ends. You don’t speak to her. You don’t look at her. And god help me, you don’t touch her.”

“What’s your plan here boy? You think you can just ride off into the sunset? Win the girl and get your happy ending?” He mocks.

“I’m not riding off anywhere. I own this city.” I say pulling out a knife, making sure he takes note of it.

“And what does your precious Rose think of that?” Darius says back, obviously trying to buy himself some sort of reprieve. “Of you becoming everything she despises?”

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