Page 36 of Where We Ended

Natty let out an exaggerated sigh. I could see her through the window, balancing on her forearms, while Alec sat on a stool, both of them picking at a pan of French fries between them.

“He’ll tell me eventually.”

Alec scoffed, dipping his fry in sauce. “I don’t think he will.”

My gut twisted because he was right. I’d never tell her how I had earned the title, The Roman.

Natty paused, toying with the ketchup bottle.

“Do you really think it will make that big of a difference to me?”

My stupid brother leaned closer, touching the leather cut still on her shoulders. “You’re wearing his patch, so yeah…figured you were the kind of person who would care about something like this.”

“Fine, tell me.” Natty gave up, stretching while letting go of the bottle and pushing her hands through her hair.

I could go in and interrupt, stop Alec from telling her, but some dark and twisted part of me wanted him to do the dirty work. I wanted to watch her face when she learned what sort of monster I truly was. I wanted her to face it and test that eternal sunshine that seemed to be setting in her chest.

Alec leaned in, arms folded on the counter.

I held my breath.

“Silas was given the nickname, The Roman, because of how he chose to torture our father’s enemies. We were each given a choice…a gun to the back of the head, a hammer to the eye, a carving project with knives…”

Natty went very still, but softly asked, “Which did you choose?”

My brother seemed caught off guard by her question, but he answered just the same.

“Gun to the head. The only form that wasn’t torture.”

He wasn’t explaining the other piece to that…how he’d put that gun to the head of our target’s families. It was torture in the worst way imaginable.

“And Silas?” Natty asked, her voice so sweet and light, it felt like an angel was sitting there with a demon, discussing the loss of souls.

Alec’s lips twisted to the side. “Silas chose to crucify his victims. He thought that up all on his own, and our father completely loved it.”

Hating myself wasn’t enough, I knew I didn’t deserve Natty but like fuck was I going to share her with anyone else. I left my perch near the window and opened the back door, alerting them both to my presence.

Alec’s gaze stayed on Natty as I entered, but hers immediately jumped to me, her gaze prodding and searching me for any damage. I saw relief flitter through her gaze when she realized I was fine.

“Get the fuck out,” I said to my brother while slipping out of my boots and cut.

He laughed, shaking his head. “How about, ‘thank you, Alec, for watching over my friend.’”

Natty watched the interaction between us, her eyes shrewd and calculating.

Turning toward him, I smiled showing my teeth. “That patch on her back make it seem like she’s just my friend? She’s mine, and I think you fucking know that. She has been since we were kids, and I won’t thank you for doing something I knew you’d enjoy.”

His gaze moved to Natty’s briefly before he stood from his stool.

“Till next time, Artemis.” He gave her a salute and then left through the front door.

“I hate that nickname.” She exhaled and then gave me a smile. “You were by the window listening.”

I kept my face expressionless as I flicked off the light for the kitchen and we moved into the bedroom. We still had the twin we were both squeezing on, but it was perfect. She was perfect.

She shut the door and slipped out of her clothes, pulling on one of my t-shirts.

“So tell me then.”

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