Page 89 of Roman

CHAPTER 20

ROMAN

Effie was curled up in the chair in the bedroom. She liked to sit there, looking out the window when she wasn’t reading. She was a quiet soul, and she never complained to me about staying in the suite. In fact, she rarely complained.

I stopped in the doorway, looking at her. She peeked up, offering me a sweet smile. I strode toward her, stopping as I looked at the tray beside her. Tea and toast. With honey. Little crumbs were on the plate, making me smile. The mouse feasting had happened again. I leaned down, bracing my arms on the chair. I observed her silently. She looked rested, calm. She was incredibly lovely. I liked to look at her.

She met my gaze for a moment then dropped her eyes. When she lifted them again, her cheeks were flushed, and she shifted a little. I knew she was thinking about last night. The way I’d made her cry out. Clutch the sheets. Come so hard she’d grasped me, whimpering and repeating my name as she orgasmed time after time. I couldn’t stop thinking about it either.

I bent and kissed her. I slipped my tongue into her mouth, tasting the tea. The sweetness of the honey. The sweetness that was simply Effie. By the time I drew back, my cock was twitching, and she was breathing faster. I pressed my forehead to hers.

“Little Tiger.”

She laughed. “Roman.”

I sat across from her. She furrowed her brow. “What is it?”

“How do you know there is anything the matter?”

“You get a small tic in your jaw. You clench your fists.”

I wondered if anyone else had ever noticed those small tells.

I wasn’t one to beat around the bush. “I had a call. The men who took you figured out the connection between us, Effie. They demanded your return.”

Blood drained from her face, leaving her white. She began to shake, the tremors so hard her body almost spasmed.

I dropped to my knees in front of her, stroking her arms and internally cursing myself. I should have been a little more circumspect with my words. “Hush. Calm yourself. It will never happen.”

I waited until she drew in some deep breaths.

“I met with them. Returned the money Marianne took from them and canceled the debt.”

“So, that’s it?” she asked, her voice hopeful. “I can go?”

“Go where, Effie?” I asked, curious. Her building was gone. She had nowhere to go.

Did she really think I would let her walk away?

“I’ll find a place.”

I shook my head. “They are not honorable men. They blew up your diner in retribution. If I allow you to leave, they will come after you.”

“They admitted blowing up my place?”

“Yes. I don’t trust them. I never have. You are still not safe. You never will be.” I gathered her cold hands in mine. “Don’t ask me to let you go.”

“So, I stay here the rest of my life? Hiding in this room?”

“No.” I drew in a deep breath. “I continued with the story that you are my fiancée. Except now, it must be real.”

“What?”

“You have to marry me, Effie. As my wife, you will be protected. You can live at the estate with Nonna and be safe.”

“Live with your nonna?” She frowned. “As your fake wife?”

“There will be nothing fake about it. You will be my wife in every sense of the word.”