“But you would?”
Roman’s upper lip twitched, and he cocked his head, as if I’d suddenly gotten interesting. “Do you know who I am?”
I glanced at Maxim once more, noting the gun on his hip and the way he stood with his legs slightly apart. The same gun I’d witness kill a man.
“No,” I answered honestly. “But I’m told you might be able to help me.”
“Help you how?”
“I need protection for my mum.”
Roman exchanged a look with Maxim, whose expression didn’t shift an inch. “From the people chasing her?”
I nodded. “I need to keep her safe.”
“That’s a lot to ask of someone you don’t know.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Why not ask Ryder?”
“Are you able to help or not?”
Roman chuckled, leaning back in the desk chair until it gave a low squeak. The sight was almost absurd, a man his size swallowing up the chair, legs spread wide like he owned the room. He was bigger than Ryder, but only just. And while Ryder’s charm could capture a room’s attention, it was Roman’s presence that filled it.
“I can offer protection for you both, but I have a condition of my own.”
I ignored the nervous way my stomach twisted, because I knew nothing was ever free. “What do you want in return?”
Chapter 43
Violet
I couldn’t sleep, my thoughts racing just like they always did. The ceiling stared back at me, pale and endless, and I shifted for what felt like the hundredth time.
My fingers itched for a brush, for paint—anything to drown out the noise out in my head. But I couldn’t slip out and go to the studio this time, couldn’t lose myself in colour the way I usually did when my mind refused to rest.
Sleep’s supposed to be the most basic human thing. Close your eyes. Drift off. Simple. But it’s never been simple for me.
Roman’s conversation was stuck on a loop in my head, entwining with mum’s confession until both were nothing but a blur of static. So much noise that it took me a minute to hear the sound of the window opening. Terror jerked my body, my heart thumping violently against my ribcage as I fought to free myself from the twist of bedsheets.
Only for a hand to press against my mouth, a heavy body pinning mine to the bed.
I flinched, ready to fight with everything in me?—
“You really should lock the windows,” Ryder murmured, his heat seeping against my cold body like ablanket. “You never know what monster might crawl inside.”
His face was barely visible in the darkness, but my fear melted away to be replaced with… relief? Excitement? He had this way of grounding my thoughts, and even now I realised I’d slowed my breathing to match his.
“What are you doing?” I whisper-shouted when he released my mouth. “Why couldn’t you use the door like a normal person?”
“Because Elena told me not to disturb you,” he said, as if it were obvious. “Trust me, you don’t want to upset that woman. I’ve seen her talking to the mice. I’m pretty sure she’s building an army.”
I frowned, my eyes finally adjusting to the darkness. He wore the same clothes as earlier, his hair dishevelled as if he’d continuously ran his fingers through it.
“I think you wanted me to sneak in here.”
“Why would I want that?” I asked, not stopping him when he reached for my braid and slowly undid it.
“Because even through your anger, you want me.”
“You’re delusional,” I scoffed, ignoring the fact that heat was spreading from between my thighs.
