Page 45 of The Promise

Why was he enjoying this?

She was violence and sex wrapped in one. Dangerous to him in all the worst ways.

“The bull,” she replied with a casual wave of the blade, the glint catching her eye as another fleeting, vicious smile curved her lips. “Anyone who hurts me, even if it’s with one touch—well, they have to die.”

Roman rocked on his heels, sucking air through his teeth while he considered that statement. His mind raced to come up with a way to combat Katina on the spot. She was glowering up at him, proudly, with her chin thrust high, expecting an instantaneous answer. The only one she felt was acceptable.

He also couldn’t let her think it worked that way. She was already vicious enough without him giving her an all-out pass to cut every soul that so much as looked at her in a way she thought hurt. There was no doubt times when she had been justified; today was a good example of the fact it wasn’t every time.

“But you’ve taken care of it already. You say he hurt you, and you hurt him back,” he replied. “You can trust you’ve taught him a valuable lesson about how you should be treated.”

Katina’s breasts heaved with a breath. “That’s no fun.”

His grin was probably too devilish for his own good. He knelt down on the tiled floor by the bathtub, meeting her at eye level. She sniffled quick, heaving her shoulders up from the tears she held back. He’d not been expecting that.

“You don’t need that, do you?” he asked, nodding to the knife.

Maybe because she was done with her game, or she truly did want to give the weapon to him, Katina handed it over. The second he had the blade stuffed down the back pocket of his pants and—presumably—out of her reach should he be quick enough, Roman asked, “Is that what you were trying to do in Chicago? Hurt the people who hurt you?”

When he looked into her eyes, he expected to find the answer, even without words. That was exactly what he got because Katina said nothing.

“Don’t fuck this up—I’m trying to help.”

Katina’s brows furrowed. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You’re a smart girl. You’ll figure it out.”

Her lips trembled before she hid it by pressing them in a grim line. Roman decided, they could both have their pride.

“I want to talk to Karine, and I’m sure she would like to see me. Can I have her back now?”

He didn’t know if Katina could control when she switched. It didn’t seem like Karine could. Was it triggered, in some ways? On-demand in others?

Jesus.

He worried that he knew as much as she did, and it wasn’t nearly enough.

Katina glared at him, and he held her gaze, calmly. If there were other things she wanted to say, she didn’t plan on sharing them with him today. Her nostrils flared with a shaky gulp of air, and she swung her face away from him.

He caught the way she closed her eyes tight, her body momentarily going limp almost in the same second she regained control. Still, he lunged forward to circle her sinking body with his other arm before she fell completely into the water.

Already blinking back at him, a familiar warm gaze glimmered. For a few moments, her pupils shifted from side to side, confusion tugging at her brow, but then she saw him.

That pink in her cheeks reddened. Visible happiness reflected in her clear, wide eyes, and it damn near took his breath away.

“You’re back,” Karine whispered, smiling wide.

“Yeah, babe,” Roman replied, ignoring the inner emotional war that started to rage. “Of course, I am. I promised.”

TEN

Karine had never been to Vermont before, but because Roman said it’s where it was best to be—well, she knew she was safe. Not that she understood why they were there in the first place. Those unanswered questions were easier to ignore when he was around, though.

She was less muddled, then, not so overwhelmed by everything and everyone. More sure of herself—her feet had finally found steady ground to stand on when he was next to her.

And that was terrifying.

Vermont was beautiful. Woodlands and small county towns had guided their arrival to the private property owned by Roman’s family. Or so he explained to her when she gained the courage to ask during the drive. She couldn’t remember the last time she heard birds chirping in trees, but given the leaves had changed to bright yellows, oranges, and fire-reds, she didn’t think swooping swallows dancing between branches would be around for long.