“Hurt her? No, that won’t happen as long as she behaves.”
Will mouthsstay calmto him, but Roman doesn’t acknowledge it. Too lost in his rage.
“What do you want from me?”Roman grits his teeth.
“Nothing much. Just thought you might like to see her. Meet your new stepmother.”
The words hit like a bullet. The room stills, and Crew throws his hands up, cursing. Elijah’s face drains of color. Archer continues to sign for me, so I’m not missing any of the conversation, but I can see the way hishands are shaking.
Lorenzo continues, oblivious to the storm he’s creating.“Come to the wedding, son. It’s only right that you witness us becoming a family.”
Roman’s shaking, finger hovering over the hang-up icon.“You’re not my family. You never were.”
“Then prove it. Come tomorrow, and watch me marry the girl you could never protect.”
“I’ll be there,”Roman says.“And when I do, I’m going to put a bullet in your head before you can finish your vows.”
The phone goes black. Lorenzo cuts the call before Roman can. We all stare at the phone for a long moment, all of us shaking.
Chapter 37
Lottie
Everywhere from my shoulder down to my hand feels like liquid fire, burning beneath my skin. It’s not broken, I can still move my fingers, but something’s wrong. Dislocated, maybe. Wrenched out of place when they dragged me from the car.
Archer…
The last thing I saw was him trapped behind the wheel, shouting my name while they tore me away. The image won’t leave me. It plays like a cruel loop, the way his voice cracked and the shattered look on his face as they dragged me out through the broken glass.
My chest aches, but I can’t fall apart now. Not here. Not when I know exactly where I am.
The walls are too familiar. The heavy curtains, the too-big windows, the same carpet… the only new thing is the bed I’m currently sitting on.
I know this room. I’ve seen it a thousand times in my nightmares after I had my voice stolen.
I’m in Lorenzo’s house… inthatroom.
My breath catches, and I force myself to move, to try to find a way out, even if every move I make is agony. Every detail in this roommakes me sick. The ornate mirror on the wall. The wall-to-wall bookcase. The silver tray with two glasses—one half full, one untouched.
I’m back in the place that broke me…
“You’re awake.” His voice slithers through the room, smooth and poisonous like a snake. I flinch before I can stop myself, turning toward the sound. He’s standing in the doorway, hands in his pockets like this is some kind of casual reunion.
I edge back until my back hits a wall, hissing when it jostles my shoulder. He tilts his head, studying me the way someone studies a prize they already own. “Still a silent little bird, are we?”
“No,” I force my voice to be steady. “I just have nothing to say to you.”
He smiles, slow and cold. “That’s fine, Scarlett. It won’t be much of a hardship to break you again once you’re my wife.”
For a second, all I can do is stare at him—at the smug curve of his mouth, at the delusion in his eyes. And then, despite the pain clawing through my shoulder, a sharp, humorless laugh escapes me. “Your wife?” I echo, mocking him. “That’s never going to happen.”
His smile falters, just slightly. “You don’t have a choice.”
I want to laugh in his face. I’ll never be his wife. I’m Elijah’s, and even though I was mad at first when I found out he married me without my consent, I’m thankful for it now.
He studies me for a long moment, and I realize something that makes my stomach twist… he looksdifferent.
He looks hollow. His eyes are wild and unfocused. His hands twitch at his sides like he doesn’t trust himself to stay still.
