Page 32 of Toxic Things I Love About You

“Roman, why do you get all the fun?”

We weren’t in earshot of my uncle anymore. Parks pulled his phone out and thumbed through a few texts and then looked at me.

“Tell him we will meet him there. We have an hour, but if anything changes—”

Roman started to talk over him.

“Emilee, you stay home. Let Parks check this out. It’s a meeting at one of my clubs and I am fucking pissed.”

He was at least including me on the information.

“But, Roman, I have to show my dominance or whatever the heck you men call your dicks.”

There was another thud and something metal dropped.

“Gage? You got this? Emilee? No.”

“Roman, you asked Gage if he can handle something. You text my cousin an address and then? There’s me. That’s not at all fair. What’s changed since you took me to that warehouse?”

He mumbled something.

“What was that, Romy-poo?”

This time, he spoke up.

“You weren’t my fiancée then.”

The elevator dinged, and we got in.

“What does that matter? No one knows for a reason. I don’t need anyone judging me and calling me your fiancée. I just want my own name. Emilee Rossi.”

The car was already out front, and Parks helped me into the Escalade as he pulled away.

“Fuck, Butterfly. Just listen for once in your damn life.”

I didn’t say anything because he was pissing me off.

“Emilee, fuck. Don’t do this to me. I don’t know what might happen at this meeting. It’s fucking happening under my nose, and I need to figure out why.”

I still didn’t talk. I know it wasn’t mature, the silent treatment, but it had to be better than hanging up on him.

“What if I wasn’t your fiancée? What then? Then I could get to go do stuff?”

He growled.

“No. That wouldn’t change a damn thing.”

I sighed.

“Fine. Whatever. I’m still going.”

Something in his voice seemed strained as he spoke next.

“Don’t fucking come. Stay safe. You asked what’s changed? I love you. That’s what’s fucking changed. We’re all pawns in this damn game, whatever is happening, and I need to know that I’ve protected one of the most valuable pieces.”

I smiled at his words.

“I love you too, Romy-poo, and you already took me out of the game. Maybe tonight you show them that?”

---