Page 9 of Still Burning

Was that it? Were we free to leave now? What did that mean? If I left, would…would Rome still come see me? Would we date? He’d be here with Nixie.

Anxiety, jealousy, and fear that I was going to be hurt again spread out through me like a virus.

I said nothing but gripped my hands tightly together in my lap.

“Yes, you’re free to leave, Pepper. But there are conditions. Micah can go over all that with you. Those who would want to harm you are no longer free, and Blaise Hughes has made it clear that if anyone gets close to you or even thinks about hurting youor your bar, they’re dead, along with everyone they love,” Liam replied.

My nails cut into my palms, and I tried to make myself relax, but I couldn’t. I’d opened myself up to the feelings I have for Rome again, and now…before we even had a chance to explore things, I was leaving while he lived in a place where naked women walked around.

Rome stopped beside me, and I didn’t look up at him. I couldn’t. Not right now. I needed to be alone. If I had a panic attack in front of all of them, I’d be humiliated. I took deep, slow breaths and kept my gaze locked on a spot in the grass where a wildflower had bloomed.

“But Salem will need to stay here,” Liam’s gravelly voice said.

It took a second for me to register his words, and Pepper was already asking him why by the time I swung my eyes back to Liam to see him watching me. Did he expect me to argue like Pepper was doing? Should I be?

“If I’m safe, why isn’t Salem?” Pepper demanded. “She has a life too.”

“There are other things involved in Salem’s safety,” Liam said.

Rome’s large hand cupped the back of my neck and gently squeezed, as if to reassure me or get my attention—I wasn’t sure which. This time, I tilted my head back to look up at him. His pale green eyes met mine.

“Are you okay with that?” he asked me.

I swallowed and nodded. If I had to stay, then at least I was with him. I wasn’t ready to leave yet. Even if Pepper was right and I had a life—one where there was rent due and I had no job.

“What other things?” Pepper asked, sounding annoyed.

She really didn’t have to fight for me here. I was fine with this. I realized that I should want to leave, but that was how it was with Rome. He made everything else less important. He became the center of my thoughts. It was a dangerous road, and althoughI knew turning around and retreating was the smart choice, I’d already stepped onto it.

“That’s private, Pep,” Micah said. “Calm your shit, and let’s go get your things. I’m taking you back to your place.”

“Private?” Pepper sounded heated now.

“Yes.” Liam’s one word was said with an authority that made me suck in a breath.

I watched Pepper sigh in defeat.

“Doesn’t seem like she wants to leave,” Liam added with a smirk, then turned and walked back toward the building.

No one spoke until he was back inside.

“This is bullshit. Is Salem going to get to know this private information?” Pepper asked Micah.

He glared at his sister. “Let it go and come on. Jesus, I don’t have time for this shit today.”

“It will be explained to her,” Rome told Pepper.

She turned to him. “By who? You? Do you get to know?”

“Yes, he fucking gets to know,” Micah said. “You don’t. Now go get your shit!”

Her eyes narrowed as she cut them to her brother. “Watch your tone.”

“I will if you listen. This is for your safety. If you just understood that and obeyed, then I wouldn’t have to yell,” he replied in a less snarly voice.

“Come with me,” Rome said, releasing my neck and then holding his hand out for me to take.

I studied his callous palm for a moment before placing mine in it. His long, tanned fingers closed over mine, and the stark difference between my pale skin and his golden color was almost funny. But since my fair complexion was just another of my insecurities, I didn’t laugh.

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