Page 105 of Downfall

“To what?” I snap. “More insults? More abuse? You’re just as sick as he is if you think I’d willingly do that.”

She shakes her head. “I know it sounds crazy but…”

“But what?” I repeat. “You want me to do that?”

She shrugs. “We do what is necessary. That is the Capulet way.”

“No. It’s not my way.” I snap.

“Rose, don’t you see? This is your chance.”

“What?”

“After everything he’s done to you.” She says putting her hand on my shoulder, reassuring me almost. “After the way he betrayed you, don’t you want your revenge? Not even just a little bit?”

I gulp. Yeah I do want that. I want to hurt Roman as much as he hurt me and yet I know this isn’t it. This isn’t the answer.

“He used you.” She states. “Used you and ditched you like trash. Doesn’t he deserve to know how that feels?”

She’s twisting this. I know she is and yet my head is agreeing. My anger, my bitterness, all those years of festering rage are telling me that this is not a bad option. Not a bad way to take back some control. Afterall he’s still playing games isn’t he? He still snuck into my house, tied me up, all but forced himself on me…

But I wanted it.

I know I resisted but it wasn’t exactly one sided. I still want him. I still love him. On some crazy level, for some unfathomable reason a part of my soul still yearns so desperately for him.

I brush away the tear. How can that be? After everything he did, everything he said, the way he left, the way he ruined me. How can I want him still?

“This is an opportunity Rose.” She says. “A chance for you to get some retribution.”

“No.” I reply fixing her with a look. “If I do this then I want something else. Something far greater than mere revenge.”

“And what is that?” She asks.

I let out a huff. Like it’s not damned obvious. Like she doesn’t know exactly what I’m asking for.

She bites her lip, frowning. “Let me speak to him. Let me see what I can do.”

“No. No false hope. No bullshit.” I snap. “You give me this. You agree or you get nothing.”

She takes a moment then nods. “Fine. I’ll sort it.”

“Fine.” I reply.

“But you have to make your move tomorrow.”

I wrinkle my nose in disgust. She knows exactly what she’s asking and yet she doesn’t even seem to care that she’s all but making me the whore she named me as six years ago.

“I’ll do it.” I mutter before turning on my heel, heading to my car, not looking back.

Roman

I’m sat in my study, going through all the evidence we’ve gathered so far. The most shocking of it being that Ignatio wasn’t the one to come up with this idea. And neither was Darius.

No, worse than that, it was my own father. He was the one who started this ‘human harvesting’ program decades ago and then Ignatio found out and all but took over the business ensuring Calvin got a healthy slice of the pie and thereby securing his place in the shit hierarchy of this city.

The people we’ve rescued are being kept safe at one of my father’s old offices. It’s off-grid. Discreet. For all intents and purpose it’s perfect. Once they’re recovered we’ll give them enough money and the means to get as far from Verona as they want. It’s the least I can do considering we’re as tied to this as the Capulets are.

Ben is off somewhere, sulking.

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