Page 56 of The Marriage

With authority and power.

Just like she remembered him.

Karine clutched the edge of the sink, and shut her eyes. You’re still dreaming, she told herself. It’s not real. She took in two deep breaths, slow and steady, the only thing that helped when she was starting to lose control.

“It’s just in my head. This is not real,” she muttered out loud.

“It’s not just in your head, Karine. Turn around and look at me.”

His deep voice filled her soul. She opened her eyes, and stared at the mirror again. He was still there in the reflection. Standing behind her, waiting.

Was she getting worse?

Her dreams were turning into hallucinations, taking over her life. Fear was her constant companion. The only thing she counted on.

Then, he came towards her, his smile growing as he reached out and touched her shoulder. She felt that—the pressure of his big hand, and thick long fingers wrapping around her before he spun her around in a flash.

That was real.

He was really there.

Roman hooked a finger under her chin, leaning down until their lips nearly touched, and she felt that, too. “I’m sorry—for everything. You really thought I could stay away from you?”

ELEVEN

Roman was still high when Marky knocked his door down. No, literally, the asshole kicked it open when he didn’t answer.

He hadn’t heard him knocking or his phone ringing because the music was too loud in the loft.

The first thing Marky did was turn the music off.

Roman was in nothing but his gym shorts, unbothered by the sight that greeted his friend. His place was a mess. He hadn’t bothered to pick up the takeout containers or bottles from the night before.

What did it matter?

“Cut this shit out,” Marky barked at Roman. “Who plays music that fucking loud, anyway?”

It made him laugh.

The music was the problem?

Hilarious.

“You want something?” he asked Marky, throwing himself into the couch where lines of coke were neatly arranged on a broken shard of mirror.

He couldn’t even remember how it all got there. Did he do this all himself? Because it was exactly what he was looking for.

Pressing one nostril down, he held the mirror up to his face so he could snort with the other one through the rolled-up hundred dollar bill he’d left on the glass. Marky’s voice droned on, but it was nothing more than a buzz in his ears.

He pinched his nose because it tingled for a few seconds—burning right before adrenaline shot through his body like his veins were on fire.

There.

He’d be up for another eight-hour run, at least. Who fucking needed sleep?

He grinned at Marky.

“Do you even see yourself, man? Why don’t you hold the mirror up and take a good look at yourself,” Marky snarled.