“My fiancé,” I snap, stomping my foot on his shiny black shoe. The bastard finally releases me as I cradle my throbbing arm. God, I need to shower to get the feel of his hands off of me. “Or haven’t you heard? I’m already engaged.”
“Engaged?” His face contorts into a mask of dark fury. I swallow nervously, bracing for impact. “Who? Is that why Ace postponedmyproposal?”
Stubbornly, I cross my arms, using my clinical side to shield the fear his presence stirs up. The kind of training we’re taught in labs when confronted with dangerous men in confined spaces due to the rise of violence against healthcare workers.
“It’s none of your concernwho.”
Roughing, he grabs my hair, hauling me out of the main room and to the side closet, yanking the door wide. We move too quickly for anyone to stop. Once inside, he slams me into the wall and a few supplies fall to the ground. Stars explode behind my eyes.
Fuck, that hurt.
Blinking hard, I hold my head before Roman’s angry face blocks my vision. His eyes are furious, flat, sharp pieces of black onyx that want to cut me to the core.
“Who, Collins?”
The rage is palpable, and my heart pounds in my ears. My throat constricts and I inhale, mentally counting to keep the panic at bay.
This is the man my sister battles weekly. The man the girls are too afraid to turn against. And I’malonewith him.
I never knew how he commanded such control, why my sister couldn’t stop him. Now, I understand their fear. I understand Maeve’s disgust. And now, I’m facing all of it head on.
My neck gets tighter and I claw my nails into the sides, as I gasp, “Careful. Hurt me and you’re hurting Ace’s little sister.”
I don’t even know if what I said holds water. But I know my sister—I know her reputation. Men are frightened of her and I need to remind Bruno that I am an extension of her.
There’s a moment of pause, his mind calculating the damage Ace will do to his forces. I’ve never been so happy before that my oldest sister is a psychopath.
“You think it’s any worse than what she did tomybrother?”
Internally, I wince. Damn. Shedidkill Julian last night. Frankly, I forgot.
“What she did to him will be amercycompared to what she does toyou.”
Rocking back, he huffs dryly. “The last time I saw this ring,” he begins, pulling my fist into the air again, so we can both see it, “was in my family’s safe. Where didyouget it?”
My mouth snaps shut so quickly I bite my tongue. I’m not telling Roman anything—especially if it would harm Hayes.
Yet, he sees it and a foul smile curves over his face.
“Fuckingprick,” he swears, slamming his hand into the wall beside my head. I yelp, cowering from the outburst. Debris falls down, dusting my shoulders and hair. “Listen well, little mouse,” he breathes and it smells like hot floral perfume and alcohol. “Whatever he thinks he’s doing by taking you,won’twork. You’ll be mine, and Ace will not be able tostopit.” He presses an open palm against my face, grinding my temple into the wall. He wants me to be afraid—to show his power over me.
I shudder.It’s fucking working.
“We’ll see about that,” I say bravely.
Tsking, Roman shoves off of me. “I expect to see you at the club next Saturday. The regulars are complaining. Or,” he says, straightening his suit jacket, as if he didn’t just assault me, “I can tell Ace all about your weekend adventures. Your choice.”
He whips open the door, the knob banging into the concrete wall, before moving to bay seven. My heart sinks. He’s hurting that poor child—just like he killed the boy Maeve gave her protection to.
He’s the worst kind of monster in human form.
I don’t bother telling Dillon I’m leaving. I can’t put the words together, body shaking so badly I drop my badge three times. A panic attack sits on the tip of my tongue, and I grab my things, running from the ER as fast as possible.
I’m not safe here. Not if Roman can get me.
I take off toward home, to the only person who has ever made me feel secure—Hayes.
21
