Page 17 of The Editor’s Choice

Jade

“What the fuck?” I ask out loud, even though I’m completely alone in my apartment. Opening my phone, I look at the picture Roman sent again.

R: Know this tattoo?

J: What’s this about, Roman?

My mouth has suddenly gone as dry as the Sahara. I do recognize the tattoo, but I want to know what his agenda is before I decide if I’m going to tell him that or not. I stare at the screen as the bubble appears, then disappears as the new text pops up.

R: Meet me at the apartment in a half hour?

I don’t bother replying but put my phone in my back pocket before slipping on my sandals. I’ll be damned. If Roman is asking questions about that tattoo, I need answers. Now.

My knuckles sting as I knock on the door to Roman’s apartment two minutes later. “Roman!” I half-yell. I barely notice the pain as I pound the door with the side of my fist. I’m sure it sounds like the cops trying to beat the door down from the other side but I couldn’t give a fuck less at this point. My gut tells me something is off and I want answers.

“Jade? What the hell?” he asks, opening the door and narrowly escaping my fist on the downswing. “What are you doing?”

“You first,” I reply, digging for my phone. “What the fuck is this all about?”

“I’m going to take that as a yes then. You definitely know the tattoo,” he responds, pissing me off. I wanted answers, but I guess me coming here in a rage gave Roman his instead.

“Yes, Roman. I recognize the tattoo. Now, tell me what this is all about?” I say, pushing my way past him and into the apartment. I take a seat at the island, waiting for him to join me. When he does, he finds me with eyebrows cocked and hands folded, waiting impatiently for an explanation.

“I don’t really have anything solid right now, Jade. I just needed to know if you had seen the tattoo or not. I’ve seen it around somewhere but haven’t been able to pinpoint it. That’s where you came in,” he supplies, adding a small shrug to aid the innocent act he’s got going on. But it’s easy to see when he’s lying. He gets a tiny twitch beneath his right eye, and he’s definitely lying right now. There’s more he’s not telling me.

“Yeah. Makes total sense. That’s why you’re acting sketchy as hell right now,” I prod, voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I’m not acting sketchy. I just needed to know if you recognized it and if you would help me out a bit by telling me who it belongs to,” he offers. “It’s important, but you’ll have to trust me on that part for now. I don’t want to give you any false hope until I know it pans out.” I’m struggling to even comprehend the situation, but his eyes are so sincere as they burn into mine. His gaze is almost apologetic.

“It would be really helpful if you would just tell me what’s going on, Roman. I do recognize the tattoo, but I want to know what’s going on first. What are you trying to figure out exactly?” I cross my arms over my chest and do my best to avoid his eyes. It’s impossible to concentrate when I get caught up in his gaze.

“I swear to you, I will explain every tiny detail of what’s going on once everything is sorted out. I just don’t have all the answers yet. I need you to trust me on this one. I know you haven’t known me long, and men don’t exactly have the greatest track record. But on everything I hold dear to me, I’m telling you the truth when I say this is important. The second most important thing I’ve ever been a part of actually,” he says, his eyes finding mine and holding me hostage once again.

“Oh yeah? And what’s number one?” I ask, half curious and half sarcastic.

“Meeting you,” he deadpans, effectively stealing my breath and every shred of dignity I have as my jaw falls open before it snaps shut and my eyes narrow at him.

“I’m calling bullshit, Romeo,” I say with an eyeroll, adding a sigh for some extra drama. Seconds of silence following, causing my lungs to constrict to the point of pain before I’m forced to allow my eyes to make their way back to his. What I find there shakes me to my very core.

He’s being dead serious.

Swallowing nervously, I wait for him to say something. Anything at this point. The silence is heavy, consuming me whole.

“Call bullshit all you want. You can’t deny the tension when we’re together. I can see it written across your face every time I look at you. You can’t deny what you’re feeling here any more than I can. Hell, Jade, I started falling for you damn near instantly. The night you got drunk and told me about everything going on did me in. I’ve never seen someone be so brave. Scared, of course, and rightly so, but brave and fierce enough to tackle whatever hell was on the horizon. There’s something beautiful about that and I was falling head over heels before I even realized what was happening,” he admits, looking sheepish now that everything has been laid out on the table. I almost expect him to backpedal. Take it all back. But he doesn’t. He just watches me absorb it all, taking in every word he spilled out before me.

Shellshocked, I sit at the island, arms still crossed, and just stare. Straight ahead, at nothing in particular, trying to comprehend what just happened.

“You don’t even know me, Roman. Not really. You’ve only seen bits and pieces. What I’ve chosen to show you. You know nothing about demons and what lies beneath the surface, just waiting to rip you to shreds should you get too close. Too attached,” I warn, feeling the armor around my heart slip back into place. If I’m being totally honest, I’ve let my guard down with him somewhat. I’ve gotten comfortable, and that can’t happen.

“I don’t give a fuck about demons, Jade! I’ll gladly fight them with you, help you learn to tame them, or die in the attempt. I would rather die trying to be with you than to grow old never having that chance. Never giving us a chance,” he declares, stunning me right back into silence.

“You have no idea what you’re asking for,” I warn, hellbent on getting out of this mess without any casualties.

“I have a pretty good idea. Even if I don’t, I’m certain it will be a hell of a ride finding out,” he continues, just as determined to change my mind apparently.

“I don’t do relationships anymore,” I finish, determined to be done with this conversation. “Back to the point at hand, please.”

“Maybe you’ll give me a chance to change that someday,” he shrugs, not completely letting it go but backing off for the time being. “The point, though, was that I need you to trust me. Just for a little while. I don’t know exactly how long, or how things are going to play out. But I promise to clue you in on everything just as soon as I have answers. I want them just as badly as you do right now.”