Page 32 of Broken By Silence
“I totally would.”
Roman snorts, then groans when the movement jostles his shoulder. “I don’t think I trust you with sharp objects near my mouth.”
“Sharp?” Crew gasps, hand to chest. “My spooning skills are impeccable.”
Elijah rolls his eyes so hard it’s a wonder they don’t stick. “Both of you shut up before Claire strangles you.”
“If I’m going to strangle anyone… It will be you,” Claire snaps at him. “Now get a move on with those boxes. Downstairs rooms are yours.”
Will clears his throat, loud enough to quiet the bickering. He sets the last box down with the kind of precision only Will has. “No one’s sleeping on the couch. Roman gets the downstairs guest room, and Elijah and Crew will take the ones next to him. End of discussion.”
Roman looks ready to argue, but Archer’s voice cuts in from the doorway. “He’s right. You need a bed.”
The silence that follows stretches, heavier than before. Roman swallows hard, some of the fight draining from him. “Fine. Bed. But Crew’s still dressing as my nurse.”
Crew beams, victory declared. “Gladly. I look amazing in white.”
A ripple of laughter breaks the tension, even if it’s thin and fragile. For a second, it almost feels normal. Almost.
Archer doesn’t laugh. Doesn’t even glance at Roman. His gaze finds me instead, and he leans against the wall down the hallway, arms crossed. He’s not angry, just tense.
I step closer. “Archer?—”
He shakes his head slightly, eyes flicking toward the living room where Roman sprawls on the couch, Crew lounging next to him, Elijah leaning casually nearby. “I hate how close they are to you,” he says quietly, almost to himself. “After everything… it feels wrong.”
I hesitate. “They’re only here because of him,” I remind him softly. “Claire and Will brought them here to protect all of us. To protect me. This isn’t about them being safe… It’s about keeping me safe, and I feel like we owe Roman something after he was shot.”
Archer’s jaw tightens. “I know. I get that. But seeing them so… comfortable around you, laughing, acting like nothing ever happened… it doesn’t sit right. Not after everything.” He takes a deep breath, almost like it pains him to do so. “We don’t owe him anything, Lottie. Hechoseto go after his dad without a gun. This is all his own doing.”
I reach out, resting a hand lightly on his arm. “I know, but it’s partof surviving. They’re part of the plan to keep us alive. And right now, alive is all that matters.”
He swallows, eyes flicking back toward the living room. “I just… I’ll never stop feeling like I need to watch over you.”
“You don’t have to stop,” I whisper. “I need you to. That’s why I let you.”
Oscar moves over to us, hands moving.“I don’t like them being here either, especially after everything. But are you going to argue with your Mom?”
“God no.” Archer shudders. “She’s terrifying when you try fuck with her plans.”
Oscar’s shoulders shake with a silent laugh, though his expression is grim. His hands move again, quick and sharp. “Still don’t trust them. Not one bit.”
Archer smirks faintly, but there’s no humor in it. “Good. At least we agree on something.”
I glance back toward the living room. Roman is still sprawled on the couch like he owns it, Crew stretched out beside him, Elijah leaning against the wall with that bored confidence that makes my skin prickle. Claire is fussing with a stack of pill bottles, muttering under her breath about dosage charts, while Will hovers nearby like the silent guard he always is.
The scene almost looks ordinary—almost. But I feel Archer’s words settle deep in my chest, heavy and true. The laughter, the casualness, but it doesn’t erase the history.
“We don’t have to trust them,” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else. “We just have to survive Lorenzo.”
Archer nods once, slow, deliberate. “And I’ll make sure you do.”
Oscar rolls his eyes.“We’ll make sure.”
Archer groans under his breath, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “This is going to be a nightmare.”
“Nightmare?” Crew’s voice drifts from the living room, dramatic and far too loud. “This is ahospitality retreat, Archer. Five stars, all-inclusive. Claire even gives out meds on schedule.”
“Crew,” Claire warns without looking up from her pill bottles.
