Page 36 of Tainted Ties

“Raphael,” I called, panicking as I reached the final steps and lunged at him.

“Aurora.” He patted me everywhere with his hands. “Are you okay?” He pulled me back, allowing me to see his distraught features.

I nodded as my heart swelled from seeing a familiar face. “How did you know I was here?”

“I’ll explain everything later.” His hand circled my wrist, pulling me toward the front door, but all I could focus on was the deadly aura coming from Roman, who stood five feet away from us.

My mind was torn into pieces, unable to process what was happening.

All I knew was, leaving with Raphael was not an option unless I wanted to jeopardize not only his life but Irina’s. He’d already risked his own by coming here and I was petrified of what would happen to him.

“Raphael, let go of me.” I pulled my arm, trying to free myself from his hold.

“No. We’re leaving.”

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale.

“Stop.”

“I’m not leaving you here!”

“Enough!” Roman’s voice boomed through the foyer, his blistering gaze settling on Raphael. “You have a second to get your hands off her.”

Raphael let go of my arm with distaste, stepping in front of me in a protective stance. “Should we bring forth how truly disgusting you are?”

My breathing shallowed at his words, noting the underlying meaning in his tone.

“By all means.” Roman waved a hand in the air, a challenging expression on his face. “It’ll only hurt you,brother.” A brutal grin slowly carved its way on his mouth, and I knew at that moment, things would take a turn for the worse.

My throat thickened as my body fought between hot and cold, taking in his words. I felt everything at once, too much of it.

“Br- Brother?”

Raphael turned back to me, pinching his lips together, as though fearful of what would slip out.

“What is he talking about, Raph?”

He flinched at my desperate tone, eyes wide and full of anguish.

The furrow between my brows deepened at his silence. I turned to the man opposite us, ears pulsing from the thumping beat of my heart.

With a hard swallow, I spoke sternly despite the anxiety rippling through me. “Tell me.”

Roman was void of emotion while he stared at me with a coldness in his eyes.

Raphael finally found his voice and spoke with weariness edged in his tone. “Let me explain.”

“No.No, I want to hear it from him,” I rushed out, nodding my head toward Roman, whose gaze traveled the length of my face before settling onto my eyes.

“We’re brothers.”

A heavy weight settled onto my shoulders, threatening to crush me to the floor as time stood still. Someone was saying my name, but the roaring beat of my heart drowned it out.

We’re brothers.

A painful sob escaped me, causing me to press my fingers against my mouth to silence it.

“Come on, Aurora,” Roman said, slicing through the blurred state I was in. “Did you think I wouldn’t keep tabs on you?” His words were clear and the meaning behind them even clearer. Raphael coming into my life wasn’t coincidental.

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