Page 99 of Tainted Ties

“She’s fine. Eyes on the road.”

Ricardo’s tone was stern, but the edge carried underlying dismay.

When we pulled into the driveway of the manor, the pain in my body eased a fraction. “You brought me home?”

The two men spared a glance at each other before opening their doors and getting out of the car.

I followed suit, pulling on Ricardo’s sleeve. “You have to go back.”

He faced me, eyes murderous, the intensity of them downright frightening.

When he looked to where I still held his arm, I let go.

“Do yourself a favor and shut the fuck up.”

He disappeared inside the house without another word while I tried not to fall into hysteria over when Roman would be back.

“He’s coming back.”

I then noticed Nicolai standing beside me, his blonde hair longer than when I last saw him.

Swallowing the nausea that suddenly washed over me, I nodded my head at the olive branch he spared me.

“As Roman’s salvation, you really disappointed me.”

The branch snapped in half, and I couldn’t even blame him. I hated me, too.

Out of Roman’s men, Nicolai had shown me kindness from the start and maybe that’s why I felt so alone when he disappeared inside the house.

An excruciatingly slow half hour passed before Roman entered the house.

Ricardo, Nicolai, and I waited in the sitting area. That too, was excruciating. Their anger consumed me, nearly tangible.

“Where is she?”Roman’s voice boomed throughout the house, echoing straight to my pounding heart.

The sounds of his steps neared until he stood in the doorway.

My heart lodged in my throat. For the first time since I met him, I wasterrifiedbeyond belief.

His eyes held no ounce of warmth within them, pinning me in place with an inhumane expression. I sucked in a sharp breath from the harshness of it.

When he charged for me, I took a step back, my body coiling tight from anxiety. “Roman.”

He grabbed my wrist and without a word, tugged me after him.

My feet tripped over itself along with the abnormal beat of my pulse.

“Roman!” I scratched at his arm, the pressure of his fingers digging into my wrist, aching.

He ignored me, dragging me through the halls before swinging a black door open, and pulling me inside.

Tears welled up in my eyes, my broken heart pummeling to my cramping stomach.

It was dark and cold as I fumbled down the steps to the unknown.

“Stop!”

More silence, his grip threatening to pierce through my skin.

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