Page 110 of Roman

I stripped to my boxers and got ready for bed, then sat in front of her on the coffee table. She looked up from her Kindle, closing the cover and meeting my eyes.

“What is it, Roman? You’ve been on edge since you came home.”

Those words surprised me. I thought I had hidden it well.

“You noticed,” I mused.

“I notice everything.”

I drew in a deep breath, wondering why this was so difficult. I took her hands in mine, stroking the knuckles.

“I got some news today.”

“Bad news?”

I decided to be blunt. “It’s Marianne, Little Tiger. She’s dead.”

Effie blinked. “Dead?”

“The men she tried to make the deal with…they caught up with her.”

“And killed her.”

“Yes.”

“How?”

The question startled me. “What?”

“How did they kill her?”

“Good God, Effie.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I didn’t ask.”

“Oh.”

I waited for the hysterics. Something. Instead, she was quiet. “Do I report her as missing or something?”

“If you want.”

“I can’t exactly call someone and say she was murdered, can I?” she asked. “I guess with Mom gone, and only me, there is no one else, so it doesn’t really matter.”

I studied her carefully. “Effie, are you all right?”

“Yes. Well, I’m confused, but I’m fine. Maybe feeling guilty.”

“Why are you feeling guilty?”

She met my gaze straight on. “Because I think I should feel something sad. Be upset. She was my sister. Or half sister. But all I feel is relief. She can’t hurt me anymore.”

“No one can hurt you, Little Tiger. I would stop anyone trying.”

She nodded. “That’s it, then.” She opened her Kindle. “Or was there more?”

I blinked. “That’s all I know.”

“Okay.”

I furrowed my brow. Knowing her sweet nature and tender heart, I was confused by her reaction. I had expected…something. Tears, at the very least. Recriminations, something.