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“We’ll both wring his neck,” Ravenna adds. “I know these things can be difficult, but try to make the best of it. Cian was…challenging in the beginning, but then we fell in love.”
I scrunch up my nose. “I’d rather drink molten lava than think about falling in love with Roman De Luca. He’s the absolute worst. Except…”
They gaze curiously back at me.
“Never mind.”
“I don’t think so,” Arianna says. “You can’t leave us hanging like that. Except, what?”
I sigh. “This stays between the three of us. Okay?”
They nod.
“Nik hit me, at our engagement party, and Roman nearly beat him to death.” I pace the room, ignoring their shocked expressions. “I’ve known Roman for less than twenty-four hours and he’s saved me twice. I’m sure he has nefarious intentions, but…I’m conflicted. He’s an overbearing, rude brute. I'm not denying that at all. There’s just somethingelseabout him too. I can’t explain it.”
“Sophia, he murdered his own wife!”
I shake my head. “I don’t think he did it.”
“And how did you come to that conclusion?” Arianna folds her arms.
“I asked him about it this morning.”
“Oh my God, are you crazy? Roman haskilledpeople for less than that.”
“Well, I’m still alive.”
Arianna gasps. “I know what’s going on. You have Stockholm Syndrome. I can’t believe it. This is terrible.”
Ravenna’s husky laughter fills my bedroom. “Arianna, you’re such a sweet innocent thing at times.”
My sister’s gaze narrows on our cousin.
Undeterred, Ravenna continues, “Sophia has clearly met a man who intrigues her. There’s no shame in that.” Her expression sobers. “Be careful. A man like him can bring you the highest highs and the lowest lows. Their gravitational pull is so strong that you can lose yourself as you orbit around him. Remember to protect your heart while you experience the amazing things he will do to your body.”
My cheeks heat. A vivid picture of Roman’s cock appears in my mind’s eye.
“Ravenna!” Arianna is thoroughly appalled.
Our cousin smirks. “Don’t worry, Arianna, I’m sure you’ll marry a good boy who won’t do any of those naughty things to you.”
“I sure hope so.”
Ravenna and I giggle.
Quickly, easily, we fall into our usual norm. We spend the rest of the morning chatting about everything under the sun. Diana brings us lunch. Then we say our goodbyes.
As soon as they leave, I feel disconnected again. Lost. Lonely.
I’m about to go mope back to my room, when Diana approaches me in the foyer. She holds out a brand-new cell phone. I glance questioningly at it, because Roman wouldn’t allow this, would he?
She presses it into my hand. “All of your information has been restored from the backup.”
“But…” I’m so confused right now. Is this a trick? Some kind of mind game?
Diana must read my distress clearly on my face. “It’s fine, Miss. Roman’s orders.”
“Thank you.” I take the phone, it’s my only lifeline to the outside world.
