Page 3 of Through the Fire

He knows I ‘m like a dog with a bone. I won’t give up until he tells me what I want to know.

His cheeks puff out with a gust of air. “Leilani. She was hired about six months ago and technically works for Howard, but she helps out where needed. She’s been helping me with the Farmer case which is why the other girls invited her out.”

I clench my jaw and ball my hands into fists. Without another word, I spin on my heel and stomp back downstairs. I make my way over to the dining room table where I know I left my phone.

“What are you doing?” Roman asks as his bare feet pad down the stairs after me.

I open my phone and send a text to Dani.

Me: I need to get out of here. Can you meet me?

The dots immediately appear and a second later she responds.

Dani: Roman?

Me: Yup. Who else?

Dani: Meet you at The Crest in twenty.

Me: K. Thanks. You’re the best.

Dani:

I darken the screen and notice Roman just standing there watching my every move.

“Who are you texting?” He asks, his voice demanding and curt.

I don’t respond. Just walk into the laundry room where my purse hangs from the hook with him hot on my heels.

“Luna!” He shouts and grabs my elbow, turning me around to face him. “Who was that and where are you going?”

“Not that it’s any of your business asshole, but it was Dani. I’ll see you later. Don’t wait up.”

I yank my arm from his grip and open the door out to the garage.

“Like hell! You’re not going anywhere until we talk,” he continues as he follows me out the door.

I click the key fob to unlock my door, and the lights to my Jag blink.

“There’s nothing to talk about,Roman,” I tell him as I pause at the door. “I’m done fighting and ‘talking’ about the same old shit. You go out and get wasted, forget you have a family, then yell at me for being a nagging bitch. It’s the same goddamn song and dance we always do. But this time you pushed me too far.”

I reach for the handle and pull on it, but the door slams shut when he smacks his hand on it.

“What do you mean I pushed you too far? What the fuck, Luna?”

“It means…your little whatever it is withLeilanihas finally broken my back. I’m done, Rome. I have no more fight in me. Call your little whore because I’m done.”

His brows scrunched in anger and his face turns beet red.

“I didn’t do anything with her.” His anger is seething through his gritted teeth. “Shekissedmeand I pushed her away. That was it. She’s not my anything.”

“I don’t care. I’m too tired to care, anymore,” I sigh.

His face falls and I see his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows.

“Well I care, so don’t fucking tell me you’re done. Now go inside and we’ll talk about it.” He takes a step back, letting his hand fall away from the car door.

I shake my head. “No. I don’t want to be around you right now. I need some time away because all I really want to do is punch you in the face. And I really don’t feel like spending the night in jail. It’s done. Over. I can’t do this anymore. I’m too old and too tired to be putting up with your shit.”

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