Page 174 of Rome: The Ballerina

“She is insane, Sac. She’s insane.”

“Was– was insane and now she’s right where she belongs.”

“Saint!”

“I have no remorse for her, Mom. Not for her or those two people who knew she was a sick individual and tried to make us all believe she was at least a little bit normal. I wasn’t a fool. I saw little signs.

“They revealed themselves every so often. But, I never though– I never thought it was this bad. Her grandparents aredead and the uncle she does have is no use to society as a whole. I’m not paying to bury her. And, I’m ordering you not to either. Let the maggots have them all,” I exclaimed.

“Son–”

“I have to get back to Rome. Do me a favor and never mention her name to me, around me, or in the same sentence as me again. I love you. Tell Pops I’ll call him back later this evening.”

“Sa–”

“She is the reason my child is not growing in Rome’s womb right now. For three days straight, I watched her bleed so much we thought she’d need a second supply. She wept on that floor in my bathroom from the stomach pains that had her bent over the toilet gagging as her body violently rejected a life we’d created together because it was trying to heal itself from the inside out. I have no remorse for Aliza. May she rest in hell! I love you. Goodbye, Mom.”

I ended the call and marched back into the room, prepared to wake Rome and share the news I’d just received. Her beauty halted me, instantly calming the storm brewing inside of me.

I released the pressure building from the information I’d been bombarded with. Before sliding under the covers and pulling Rome into me, I got rid of the negative energy my morning had quickly adapted.

When better, I sat on the bed and then tossed my legs over. I wrapped my arm around Rome and buried my face in her hair. She smelled like lemons and lavender and love and lifetimes.

“Baby?” She stirred.

“Go back to sleep.”

I kissed her skin.

Muah.

Muah.

“Is everything okay?”

“Everything is perfect.”

Near the edgeof my steps, I waited with a thudding heartbeat and a smile on my face. The custom grill with black diamonds covering the canines represented the team I’d just led to the championship and dominated it.

Four games in a fucking row.

I nodded, recalling the beast unleashed during the finals.Playoff De Baccowas much different from regular season De Bacco. I was Sac, surely. And, Sac was unmatched.

I cleared my throat as the thought of my journey reminded me that I was built for this moment. Five years in the league and I finally had that ring. I’d come close, but never close enough.

As a first round draft pick at the age of twenty-three, fresh out of college, I imagined hugging a championship trophy within the first three years of my career.

Naive. I shrugged.Young.

The sound of heels colliding with the steps jarred me from my memories, bringing me back to my reality. My dream. My life. My love. My world. My fiancée. My Rome.

My entire face lifted a full inch. Her beauty was remarkable. In a cream dress that ruffled at the edge, she strutted toward me. Her skin was delectable. Figuratively and literally. I’d tasted her loving, and it was just as good as it looked.

Buttery.

Brown.

Sugary.

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