ir exhaled in relief as she stepped outside the hospital doors, the cool breeze brushing against her skin. Roman was beside her, his hand resting possessively on the small of her back, guiding her toward the waiting car. She was exhausted, her body still sore, but at least she was going home.
It amazed her really that she was so tired. She had slept, but she was still tired. But during the time it had taken the nurses toe around with the paperwork for her to sign, all she had done was think. About why someone would want to kill her? And who had so much hatred toward her that they would go to such extremes?
Ethan opened the back door of the sleek ck SUV, nodding to Roman before stepping back into position. Roman helped her inside, making sure she was settled before joining her. As soon as the door shut, sealing them inside the quietfort of the car, she leaned her head back against the seat with a sigh.
“God, I hate the smell of hospitals,” she murmured.
Roman smirked, reaching over to take her hand. “At least it was only for the one night.”
She rolled her eyes. “Agreed. Their beds are neverfortable. Hospitals are the worst.”
The car pulled away from the hospital, smoothly gliding onto the road. Roman kept his grip on her hand, his thumbzily brushing over her skin. She knew he was still on edge, still tense from the attacks, but for now, she just wanted to focus on something else.
“I need to tell you something,” she said, turning her head to look at him.
Roman’s gaze flickered to her, instantly alert. “What is it?”
ir hesitated, but there was no avoiding it. “My sisters and I have to go to an engagement party. It’s this weekend.”
Roman frowned. “What engagement party?”
“Laura and Dan’s.” ir’s voice was t, her stomach twisting at the thought.
Roman’s grip on her hand tightened. “Excuse me? You’re going to their engagement party? The same Dan who cheated on you and got your cousin pregnant?”
ir sighed. “It’s not like I want to go, Roman. But my family expects it. My aunt and uncle, everyone is acting like nothing happened. Sutton, Keira, and I are supposed to just show up and pretend like it’s normal.”
Roman’s expression darkened. “That’s insane. Your family is terrible. Excluding your <b>sisters</b>, of course. Why the hell would you go?”
She let out a humorlessugh. “You think I don’t know that? But if we don’t go, it’ll be a whole thing. My aunt Viv will make our lives miserable, and Sutton, Keira, and I don’t want to deal with that fight right now. They did take us in when they didn’t have to after Mum and Dad died. They want <i>to </i>show everyone that the whole family supports Dan and Laura and that there are no hard feelings. Keira wants to go for the entertainment value.”
Roman shook his head. “No. Absolutely not. You’re not walking into that circus alone.”
ir blinked. “What? I will not be alone. I’ll have my sisters.”
Roman’s grip tightened. “I’ming with you.”
ir’s mouth parted slightly in shock. “Roman, I don’t want you to feel like you have toe. And my family hates you, excluding my sisters, of course.”
His smirk was cold. “They already hate me. Might as well give them a real reason.”
16:14 Wed, 18
ir let out a slow breath. “You don’t have to do that. I can handle them.”
93%1
Roman leaned in, his voice low, dangerous. “I know you can handle them, ir. But you don’t have to. Not alone. If they want you there, they’re getting me too. End of discussion. Ethan will be there for protection as well.”
ir studied him, her heart swelling despite the ridiculousness of it all. Roman Kingston, the man who didn’t do social niceties, the man who avoided unnecessary events like the gue, was willingly stepping into the viper’s nest that was her family.
“Alright,” she said softly. “You cane.”
Roman smirked. “Good. Because I <b>was </bing either way.”
As the car pulled through the gates of the estate, ir frowned as she noticed the extra cars parked outside. “Are we expectingpany?”
Roman’s expression didn’t change. “Yes. My parents and Rose are waiting for us.”
ir’s stomach dipped. “You didn’t think to mention that?”
His smirk widened. “I figured you’d rather focus on the engagement party first.”
ir groaned, resting her head back against the seat. “Great. So, what do they think of me after dumping my fiancé and hooking up with you straight away?”
Roman squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. My family actually likes you.”
ir shot him a look. “Really?”
“ir, you have spoken to my parents and sister on the phone before when they call the office and even met my dad in person.”
ir chewed on her lip. It wasn’t the same as seeing them under these circumstances. It was one thing to exchange a few
the phone. It was another thing entirely <i>to </i>face them after everything that had happened, and she was<ol><li>on. Not only that, she was marrying him.</li></ol>
ink I’m just another woman chasing after your money?” she asked.
ssion hardened. “Then they don’t know me very well. Because if they did, they’d know I wouldn’t waste my woman like that ever again.”
d that mean he was no longer in love with his ex–wife? ir wasn’t sure, but something about the way he said it made her wonder just how much resentment he held toward his past marriage.
The car rolled to a stop, and before ir could mentally prepare herself, the front door opened, and Roman’s mother stepped outside, her eyes immediately locking onto them.
ir took a deep breath. Here we go.
田
AD
Comment
Send gift
No Ads
18