Page 76 of Tainted Ties

“I can’t do this,” I admitted, choking on the next word, my heart breaking. “Us.”

Chapter27

Roman

Aurora’s eyes were a window to her soul, and I would sit behind that sill till she succumbed to the truth.

“Pathetic statement. Try again,” I whispered, coaxing her to admit what I saw clearly in her emerald-doe eyes. “Tell me what I already know.”

Her tear-stricken face reddened in color, bringing on a furious scowl. “I hate you.”

Words I’d already heard before, each time sounding less convincing than the last.

Holding her gaze, I wanted her to understand neither of us were leaving this room until she spoke the truth. “Humor me.”

A silent cry tore from her throat as a mixture of emotions flashed sporadically across her slowly blanching face. “I’m feeling sick again.”

I tilted my head to one side. “And why do you think that is?”

I grasped her hair and with a calm voice, I confirmed what we both knew, “Youwantme and it’s eating you alive.”

Immediately, her head shook in denial. “And if I say I don’t?” she asked, voice shaking from the lie.

Her breath hitched when I leaned forward, my lips hovering above her ear. “Then I’d say your mouth is deceitful.”

“You’ve etched yourself into every crevice of my mind, body, and soul. I have no intention of removing you,anima mia.”

Green eyes widened in shock and trepidation. “You have to let me go,” she whispered.

Her words slammed into me.

“What did you say?” Uncertainty crawled up my spine. “Do you think I don’t seerightthroughyou?”

Her answer was immediate. “This won’t end well for either of us,” she snapped.

I could feel the stifling heat of my anger radiating between us. “I told you once that leaving me wouldn’t be so easy, Aurora. That’s not in the cards for you.”Not since she decided to stay.

“And I told you once to stop commanding me.” She grabbed me by the jaw, bringing my face close to hers. “You have a target on your back, Roman Mancini, and this one isn’t from me.”

She let go, the fire in her eyes burning brightly.

You have a target on your back.

“And how would you know that?” I sneered.

Who? What did she mean?I replayed our last few conversations, picking up any related hints.

My father believes you did it.

Clarity dawned on me.

Aurora’s father believed that I executed Enzo’s murder. Of course, he was out for his son’s revenge, which meant Aurora…

“Is that why you’re here?” I wrenched her hair back, wanting to see what lie she’d spew this time. “To spy on me?”

How could I have let my guard down so easily? Over a girl who I wasn’t even supposed to be fond of in the first place.

“From what you’ve told me, it wasn’t hard to guess that you have daddy issues. My only question is, why help him? Why protect him?”

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