I hurry out the door, smile at my guards, and head to the elevator. Two follow me, and two stay behind for Scarlett.
“Forgot my phone,” I tell them, and they just nod.
These two aren’t particularly chatty, but that’s okay. I don’t have much to tell them.
I unlock the penthouse door with my palm and push inside. It sounds like Mateo, Julian, Carson, and Rome are in his office, but I don’t want to interrupt.
Where did I leave my phone?
I know I had it when I said goodbye to Rome, but where did I go then?Bedroom?
As I head upstairs, I consider the tracker. I’m not sure what I feel about having a tracker inside me, but I can trust Rome on that one. Like I trust him with everything in my life, it seems. The fact that he was instantly happy to have one put in his neck, though? That level of … trust and loyalty still surprises me.
It’s no wonder I love that man.
Is it too early to tell him I love him? Not that I’ve ever been in love before, but surely a few weeks is far too soon, right? Maybe soon, if it feels like the right time.
Finding it on the end of the bed where I left it, I turnto leave again, and consider waving at Rome, letting him know I popped in.
But as I veer toward his office, I hear someone say a name that sends shivers down my spine.
“I’ve heard rumors that Rizzo is working with Adam Damien.”
I stop cold in the doorway. My feet won’t move.
Christ.
I shake my head as Rome’s gaze flicks up to mine, and he narrows his blue eyes.
“I won’t go back.”
“Come here, Eloise.”
“No.” I shake my head and take a step back in retreat. “I’ll leave…and you’ll never find me.”
Forty-Six
ROME
Just hearing her say those words makes my blood boil and bile rise in the back of my throat.
She’s shaking her head, her throat working as she tries to swallow, and I’m up and across the room, pulling her into my arms before she can say anything else.
“I just wanted my phone,” she says against my chest. “I f-f-forgot it. I didn’t mean to?—”
“Breathe, firefly.” I pick her up and carry her into the office, not at all concerned with her hearing the conversation. “I told you that you could come in here whenever you wanted. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Please don’t send me back.”
“That’s never going to happen.”
Julian stands, and I set her down in the chair he vacated and glance at my brothers, all of whom look concerned. Her whole body is trembling, and the fear in her eyes reminds me of when we first foundher.
What in the hell is going on?
“I won’t marry him,” she says, biting her lip.
“Who?” I ask, brushing the tears from her cheeks.
