Page 51 of King of Ruin

“Maddie,” his voice has taken on a serious note that I don’t quite understand. “You should take advantage of me. And just know that I will always help you.”

I shake my head, trying to understand that one. He doesn’t owe me anything. Yes, I helped him that first night, but he’s been looking after me ever since.

And Thomasina too. Speaking of…I’m feeling guilty for not telling him the whole truth. “I really appreciate that, Roman. But honestly, once the Vendettis are in prison, I don’t expect?—”

He kisses me again. Harder, cutting off my words as his hands come to either side of my face. “Maddie,” he murmurs against my lips. “Let me take care of you, okay?”

“Okay,” I answer, even more confused. “Did something happen that you’re not telling me?”

He lets out a long breath against my lips. “The call from Mason this morning…”

I still my hands, grasping his wrists. “My brother took the police to the Vendettis’ place last night but there is no sign of Luke or Kate.

I gasp, clutching him even tighter. “Poor Kate. Poor Luke.”

“The Vendettis were arrested last night. But they’ve brought in family from Italy to keep fighting…” He drops his forehead to mine. “I don’t want you to leave yet.” His hands slide down my neck and then cradle the back of my head. “Stay here with me where I can keep you safe. I’ll take care of you too. I promise.”

I melt into him. Yeah. This is definitely a bit more than lust. Maybe a lot more. “I know, Roman…”

“You do?”

“I have every confidence in you.” I kiss him then, the steam of the shower adding to the heat of our embrace. “And I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”

“You’ve done enough, sweetheart.”

I shake my head. I don’t feel like I’ve done enough. In fact, I’ve been keeping something from him because I like having the cat here. “I have to tell you something.” Thomasina is so small compared to everything he just told me, but I hate keeping the truth from him.

“What?” I feel him tense, his body turning to stone under my hand.

“The cat isn’t a boy.”

“What?” Air rushes from his lungs over my face.

“Tom is Thomasina. And Thomasina is going to have kittens.”

“Shit.” He doesn’t sound angry, just surprised. “How soon?”

“Soon.”

“Need more supplies?”

My mouth drops open. That’s the last thing I expected him to say. “Yes. I do.”

“I’ll get what you need while I’m out.”

I nod as he kisses me again and then sets a brisk pace of washing me and then himself.

We get out and dress, Roman leaving my side long enough to come back and press something small and rectangular into my hand. “It’s a phone,” he says. “Just a burner. But you can use it until we find yours.”

“It’s so strange,” I say, wrapping my fingers around the plastic, the different shape feeling odd. “I know I had it.” But still, I lift up my new phone. “Thank you.”

“I’ve already put my number and Lucia’s in there. Let’s voice-program them both so you have it should you need to call one of us while I’m out.”

I nod, appreciating his thoughtfulness and attention to detail. It’s made this whole transition so much easier.

A half hour later, he’s gone and I’m left wondering what I want to do with my day.

I miss my other animals and Thomasina seems to have gone into hiding. Picking up the phone, I call Lucia.

---