Page 70 of Lust

ROMAN

Getting out of London at this time of day isn’t too bad, but an accident on the M6 just past Birmingham delays us. The tension in the car is already at a high and this just adds to it.

“How much fucking longer!” Blake grumbles beside me.

“Not long. We’ll stop at the next services.”

“Good. I need some air,” he states, slanting a glance to Sydney in the back.

I know he’s not happy about letting her come with us, but there was no other choice. And I don’t trust JC. After his stunt at Robert’s house, he’s a lot smarter and more resourceful than we gave him credit for. I wouldn’t put it past the cunt to ensure he gets Sydney anyway he can.

And that’s not fucking happening.

The traffic begins to move at a pace faster than a snail, and I hope we are nearing the other side. With one lane closed, the traffic has to merge, and like always there’s one dickhead who waits till the last minute, causing even more of a jam. The hoot of a horn blares up ahead, and I rest an elbow on the door, dropping my head into my hand.

Twenty minutes later, we pull into the services. The second I park, Blake is out of the car and heading for the entrance. I sigh and unbuckle my seatbelt.

“Come on, let’s go,” I say, opening my door and expecting Sydney to do the same. When she doesn’t move, I look over the headrest at her. “Sydney?”

“I’ll wait here,” she says quietly.

“The hell you will.” I get out, slamming my door closed and open hers. I take a steadying breath before crouching in the open door. “Why are you so pissed at him? It’s not like I didn’t agree with him about bringing you along.”

“Oh, I see, it’s bringing me along now. What, like a suitcase you take on holiday?” She scoffs and turns away.

“Not what either of us meant, and you know it.” I run a hand over my face. “Look, you want to be mad, fine. But you think we can do it after we’ve rescued your father and gotten rid of JC?”

Her shoulders sag as she releases a long, slow breath and finally turns back to me. “I get why you think I shouldn’t be here, that I’m not tough enough…too sheltered, but while Pa might not be perfect, he did teach me how to defend my?—”

“Against murderers?” I snap, interrupting her.

“No, Roman. Against anyone who tries to hurt me, including rapists. You seem to be under the impression I don’t know all the bad in the world, but you’re wrong again. It’d be hard not to nowadays.” She pauses and frowns. “I wasn’t blind to it, just naive and believed God would make things better.” She huffs out a disbelieving laugh.

“Yeah, I believed my parents would accept me, accept my sexuality, because their precious God made me that way, right? But I was wrong. And after Annabel died, it was clear they blamed me. Said it was God punishing us for my choices.”

I see the same doubt in her eyes, but then she shakes it off. “I’ve always thought that if something bad happened in my life it was because I displeased God. Like with my ex?—”

I growl. “Paul was a fucking cunt!”

She gasps, then laughs. “Why am I not surprised you know about him. And I agree…now. But for a long time I thought it was Him punishing me for not saving myself for marriage, but I know that’s not true. I see it as more of a lesson to be careful who you trust, who you give yourself to, heart and body. My experience with Paul was more a saving grace than a hail Mary.”

“The guy didn’t even make you come. Such a fucking waste because it’s a beautiful sight,” I say, ignoring my rapidly growing dick at the image.

She slaps my shoulder in mock horror. “Well, you and Blake seem to be making up for his shortfalls,” she says with a smile. “Come on, let’s go find Blake. I need a coffee.” She pushes me gently, but it’s enough to almost have me on my arse.

It doesn’t take us long to find Blake. He turns, holding three takeout cups with a box resting on top, just as we reach him.

Sydney tells us she need to use the toilet, and Blake points her in the direction. She rushes off and we trail behind.

“I don’t like this, Ro. He’s got too much control over the situation and had too much fucking time to orchestrate one hell of a welcome party.”

“And it’s not just us this time, right?” I say what he omitted.

“Yeah, that.”

We stop outside the ladies and wait for Sydney. Blake passes me a cup, and the rich aroma of coffee mixed with milk permeates my senses. “Cheers.”

“Did Oz send you details on the property?”

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