“Who the fuck is that?” Roman peers over my shoulder at my phone. I can hear the jealousy in his tone, and I have to hide my smile.
“An ex-boyfriend,” I shrug. “Not anyone I’m interested in.”
He sniffs, looking away from me. “I don’t see why not. You’re free to do as you please.”
There’s a record scratch in the air as my eyes narrow on him. “Come again? I don’t think I heard you right.”
Kairo glances between us, hissing as he smacks Roman’s shoulder. “There are better ways to do this.”
Maddox scowls at his friend, looking like he’s ready to commit murder.
Roman motions a hand to me, but he doesn’t acknowledge me as he speaks with his companions. “She’s free to do whatever she wants. If she wants to go out with some fucker, who are we to stop her?”
My mouth falls open in shock.
Is he serious right now?He’sthe one who hasn’t put a label on what this is, and now he’s telling me to take a hike?
Has the last week not meant a single thing to him?
I put my phone away, clearing my throat. “You know what? You’re right.”
“He is?” Kairo’s head whips around me, as does Roman’s and Maddox’s. Roman’s expression falls, and I see the moment regret flickers across his eyes.
He thinks he’s so slick. Everything has been one big fucking test in his eyes, but I’m going to show him the real test. They want me to choose them, then they need to choose me too. I won’t be the only one reciprocating in this relationship.
“Yup,” I pop the ‘p’ as I head back for the villa. All of our clothes are packed for our flight that’s leaving in the next hour. “It’s a good thing this vacation is over.”
“Thorn,” Kairo calls after me. “He’s sorry! Tell her that you’re just fucking stupid, Roman.”
“No apology required!” I shout back as I slam the glass sliding door shut and grab my things.
I smirk to myself as I pull out my phone and type a quick private message to Chase. If my bodyguards really want to play, then let’s fucking play.
Part IV
Hunt Me
Reader’s discretion is advised
Chapter Forty-One
Roman
I stare at the messages from Knox, silently kicking myself over the last two days.
Rosalie has successfully iced us out—me in particular. She went to her therapy appointment with Charlie earlier, ignoring me as I posted up in the foyer. Her manager was more than happy to tell me to kick rocks before slamming the door in my face.
Maddox has also been giving me the silent treatment, leaving any room I walk into without a word. Kairo bitches at me every chance he gets, blaming me for the tension among our group.
And I hate to say it, but I agree with him. It’s all my fucking fault. I should have communicated better rather than being an asshole. I just wanted Rosalie to make up her mind without any influence from us. She’s an adult, and she needs to know what she’s getting herself into before she jumps ahead. We’re chaotic, hot-tempered, needy, and every other fucking expression under the sun.
I’m just worried she’ll decide we aren’t worth it.
As the thought circles my head for the hundredth time, I rub my hand across my burning eyes. Sleeping without her is fucking torture. We’ve already become accustomed to her in our bed, and with the treatment she’s giving us, it’s left us all irritable and tired.
She’s left an immovable mark on our lives. There is no future I can picture without her, and just the thought of letting her go makes something dark and depraved unfurl inside of me.
I never should have said anything.
