Page 112 of Eye of the Hurricane
“Where did you guys go?” he asks, mouth pressed to the top of my head.
“I’ll let Audra tell you,” I whisper back to him. Beck is standing awkwardly against the Jeep watching the four of us.
“Let’s go in,” I suggest. Everyone must agree because there’s no argument, we all head inside. Everyone grabs a seat in the living room. Audra is snuggled up into Roman’s side and I’m tucked into Ares’. Beck is on the recliner next to us.
“Where were you guys?” Ares asks, this time aiming the question at Audra. Her eyes flick toward me and I give her a nod of encouragement.
“I filed a restraining order tonight,” she blurts. Every face in the room beams with pride.
“I’m so fucking proud of you,” Roman says, wrapping her tightly in his arms. Ares stands and walks over, tears in his eyes. Seeing him have such a strong reaction to this says so much about him as a man.
“Come on, asshole, my turn,” Ares says. Roman finally lets Audra loose from his embrace and she stands just to be pulled into another. “Are you okay? I’m so proud of you, Audi. What made you change your mind?” he asks.
Right as she goes to speak, Beck is standing next to her and Ares. He clears his throat loudly, making a point to get their attention. Through tears she laughs, slipping from Ares’ arms to hug Beck.
“I remember that night you came to the shop. I know this wasn’t easy. I’m proud of you too,” Beck says. Finally, she stands on her own, wiping her eyes with the sleeves of Roman’s hoodie.
“I really couldn’t have done it without Katherine. She called in a favor with her dad who knows the Mayor. Once I knew that there was a real chance they would do something, I was on board.”
“It was no big deal,” I assure her.
“She drove me there, held my hand in the station, and held me while I cried about it. It’s a big deal to me.”
We all spend a half hour hashing out all of the details and reminding Audra how big it was that she did it. Everyone is all smiles by the end of it. Everyone decided that we should just all sleep over here since it’s late. So we picked a movie and Audra is putting it on now.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Roman whispers to me, nodding his head toward the kitchen. I nod. Logically I know it’s not the case but this kind of feels like I’m about to get yelled at by my dad.
“What’s up?” I ask once we’re fully away from the living room. He tugs me forward into a tight hug.
“I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know what you said to make her agree to do it but seriously, thank you,” he gushes, letting me go,
“Really, no need to thank me. I didn’t say much. It was just the favor from my dad.”
“We’ve been trying for a long time to get her to do that. I don’t care how you did it. I owe you one. Actually, I owe you a million,” he says with a laugh.
“You don’t owe me anything. I’m glad she’s safe.”
“I do owe you, but I tell you what; I’ll let him pay my favors,” he says with a shit-eating grin, looking behind me. I turn my head and there stands Ares.
“My turn, beat it,” he says to Roman. I swat at his arm.
“Be nice!” I scold. They both just laugh and Roman leaves the room.
“What did Ro want?” he asks.
“I would think the same thing you’re here for,” I tell him, assuming he’s here to thank me too. He does a dramatic gasp and throws his hand over his mouth.
“Roman was trying to fuck you in his kitchen?” he exclaims, amusement in his tone. I whack his arm again.
“Shut up.” I laugh.
“I want to thank you,” he says, stepping into my space. I look up at him. His eyes are dancing with… something. Something I can’t pinpoint. Something I can’t name.
“There’s nothing to thank me for, really.” He brings a hand down, tucking my hair behind my ear. His hand slides down my arm and wraps around my hand, interlocking our fingers.
Once again he’s managed to make a moment feel like we’re the only two people in the world.
“Yes, there is. You came here without question to make sure she was okay. Which is all that we asked of you. But instead of just that, you somehow convinced her to file the restraining order. Audra and Ravyn are the closest thing I’ve got to sisters. I will never be able to thank you enough.” As he’s talking his eye contact with me is unwavering. I feel as though his eyes are burning into mine. I might melt into a puddle right in front of him. He leans forward and kisses me once before pulling back and scanning his eyes across mine. “I love you,” he blurts out.
