“If theywerecorrect, you would’ve been perceived as a Club enemy, and things would’ve gone badly for you,” Roman went on.
A chill ran through me that had nothing to do with the damp air. “How badly?”
“Well… the Council probably wouldn’t have ordered you to be killed, but they definitely would've made your life very difficult. Destroyed your reputation, got you expelled from school, ruined any chance of a future career. Made you disappear in every way that matters.” His expression was grim. “The Club has a long reach, Violet. When they want someone silenced, they have many tools at their disposal.”
“Right,” I muttered. “So that’s how you found out I’ve been investigating things. Julian told you.”
“No. I only figured it out today, when you reacted so badly to seeing me,” Roman said, lifting a palm. “That’s the thing: Julianlied.He told the Club you weren’t looking into your sister’s death at all. Said you were just a grieving girl trying to move on with her life; nothing more. So they stopped viewing you as a threat.”
I blinked. “Oh.”
“He knew they might get suspicious eventually, so just in case, he put you on the List to offer you further protection.Because as his wife, you become untouchable,” he said. “It's one of our most sacred rules. You don'tevertouch another member's wife. The penalty for it is severe.”
I stared at him. “What kind of penalty?”
“It depends on how they touch the woman. If it’s an affair, things aren’t so severe, because she hasn’t been hurt, and she would’ve consented to it,” he explained. “But if you hurt or kill a wife… the penalty is death, because it’s considered an act of war against that member. The ultimate betrayal.”
“Wait,” I said, my mind suddenly racing. “If that's true, then… what happens if Cal's killer turns out to be another Club member? Would they be killed? Even though you two weren’t technically married yet?”
Roman's jaw tightened. “I’d kill him myself,” he said in a low voice. “Without question. And I wouldn’t face any consequences for it, because that's what happens when a member betrays another member in such a fundamental way. Execution.”
I swallowed hard, processing this. Then another thought struck me. “What would the penalty be for Julian? For lying to the Council about me even though it could’ve put the whole Club at risk?”
Roman's expression grew somber. “Probably the same,” he said quietly.
The cell suddenly felt even colder. “So… you're saying Julian risked his life to hide the fact that I was looking into Cal’s death?”
“Yes.” He held my gaze. “My brother has put everything on the line to keep you safe. His position in the Club, his reputation, and most importantly, his life. Because if the Council discovers what he's done, they could execute him for treason.”
I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think past the roaring in my ears. Julian had risked everything. For me. A girl he barely knew,who'd been investigating his Club, who'd given him every reason to turn her in.
“Why?” I whispered. “Why would he do that for me?”
“I had the same question at first, but then I confronted him, and it all became clear, just from the look in his eyes,” he said. “He’s fallen for you, Violet.”
“No, that’s not possible,” I said, slowly shaking my head. “We barely even know each other.”
Roman gave me a sad smile. “When Julian decides he wants something, it happens very fast, and he becomes utterly single-minded in his pursuit. Nothing can stop him. That single-mindedness might seem a bit crazy, but it also translates into pure devotion and fierce loyalty.” He paused. “I'm willing to bet he fell for you the moment he met you. Since then, he's done everything within his power to ensure your safety. Even if it meant betraying his own Club.”
I blinked, trying to comprehend it, but the whole thing still made zero sense to me.
Julian couldn't possibly be in love with me. He'd protected me, sure, but he'd also stalked and terrorized me for weeks. Sent me threatening texts and broken into my dorm to drench me in blood and paint intimidating messages on my wall.
That wasn'tlove. That was obsession and possessiveness that had twisted into an entitled sense of ownership.
Wasn't it?
“You said you wanted help with a few things,” Roman said, breaking me out of my reverie. “What else did you need?”
I straightened and took a deep breath. “I understand that Julian brought me here to protect me, but honestly… I don’twantto be here. I don’t want to go through the training, and I don’t want to be away from my friends. I just want to go home,” I said. “Is there any way you could make that happen? A way that keeps us all safe from the Council?”
He was silent for a moment, his expression sympathetic but resigned. “I’d like to help you, Violet. And whether you stay or not is ultimately your choice. But I have to say, I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to leave,” he finally said. “Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because Julian’s right. The safest place you could possibly be right now is here at the estate,” he said. “Think about it. If you demand to leave after just one day, it's going to look suspicious. The Council will wonder why Julian's Selection is so desperate to get out of here. They'll start asking questions, maybe even launch an investigation. And trust me, that's the last thing any of us want—the Council turning the Eye of Sauron on you, so to speak.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he lifted a palm, cutting me off.
