Page 21 of Precious Legacy
If I can gain even an ounce of agitation from Roman, I’ll be satisfied. It won’t make up for the hurt and betrayal he put me through, but it’d make me feel a little better.
The silence between us seems to stretch on for an eternity as he admires my outfit choice, his bottom lip tucking beneath his teeth as he leans in closer. “Newsflash, Lani. You’ve always been my girl. Andthis,” he glances at my dress, his fingertip dancing over the flesh near my breast. “Is just asking for trouble.”
His comment has a ripple effect. First comes the irritation of his words, then the angry disbelief that he thinks he’s my only option. Finally, it settles on the rage that he insinuates my attire is an open invitation, bringing back all the memories I’ve tried to lock away.
Grabbing his finger, I twist it backwards, tugging him closer so that he can hear my words loud and clear. “What I wear does not give you, oranyone else, the right to touch me.”
He chuckles in response, irritating my last nerve. “You’re mine, Lani. Don’t pretend you didn’t enjoy me fucking your brains out yesterday.”
I release his finger. I want to smack the sly smirk from his face, but then that would make me just as bad as him. Instead, I jab him with the bitter, honest truth. “It was a momentary lapse in judgment. I told you it would be the only time you’d have me. Now, move on.”
I turn around and grab my drink off the bar because I’m done here. I’m half tempted to just go home to avoid Roman entirely, but even that isn’t a foolproof plan. There’s nowhere in this city he can’t find me. Roman is everywhere, and he’s herefor good. Plus, I don’t want him to think he’s ruined my night. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’s gotten beneath my skin. This city is equally mine as it is his.
I’m about to take a sip of my whiskey sour when he snatches it out of my hand and sinks the contents in three seconds flat. I gape at him, unsurprised, yet startled by his boldness as he places the glass back on the bar top with a wry smile curling his lips.Lips I still feel the ghost of. Lips I wouldn’t mind kissing, even if every fiber of my being tells me it’s a bad idea.
The music suddenly changes to ‘Control’ by Jex, bringing me out of my stupor. I jolt, clearing my throat, but the heat of Roman’s hard body pressed against mine does nothing to calm my racing pulse.
“See, that’s what I’m confused about.” He tilts his head as if to feign the exact emotion he’s talking about. “You act like you don’t like me, but then you kiss me. You let me fuck you, screammyname, and then you go cold.”
“Ever heard of hate fucking?” I snap.
Damn, I need a drink.All this toxicity is suddenly making me really thirsty.
Twisting around, I signal to the bartender for another drink since the asshole behind me stole mine. I receive an acknowledging nod and watch him get to work mixing it.
“Alanis, can we?—”
“When were you going to tell me you were back for good?” I cut in, spinning around to pin him with an icy glare. I already know what he wants to say, and I’m not interested in listening to his bullshit. Deep down, I’d love to be able to sit and hear him out, find out why he chose the mafia over me, why he left despite the promises he’d made…but my sense of preservation questions whether I’d even believe whatever he said. He’s lied before, he can lie again. He can spin all the right words, tell me everything I want to hear, but it’d just be a fabrication.
Roman falters for a moment, his chest rising as he takes a deep breath. In a flicker of a moment, he goes from the stubborn asshole who’s been stalking me to the boy who promised me forever. The guilt framing his eyes is noticeable, but as soon as it appears, it morphs into something else.Distaste.“Technically, I did. When were you going to tell me you were joining the NYPD?”
Of course he’d def…wait…what?
My eyes widen and the surrounding air seems to thicken. Oxygen is scarce as my lungs try to work through my frozen chest. The tequila shots from earlier threaten to make a reappearance, and as entertaining as it would be to throw up all over Roman’s expensive suit, the urge to hold it down is a lot stronger.
“You thought I wouldn’t find out,” he smirks knowingly. “Have you forgotten who I am?”
“Wh—how?”
Roman’s hand grips my neck, the warmth of his palm sending goosebumps skittering over my skin while his thumb presses into the hollow of my throat. “I have my ways.” His voice is gravelly and filled with the faintest hint of betrayal.
I try to swallow, but besides the pressure on my throat, I can’t contend with the lump that has formed. How he found out is of no importance. It’s the fact he knows.
Someone I never told,knows. And that someone holds a lot more power than I’d like to give. With Haven, it’s girl code. The loyalty between us is etched deeper than with the guys, our brothers included. But Roman Genovese is a selfish prick. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself, and him knowing this fragile piece of information is going to be the end of me. I know it.
Fuck.
“I take it from the look on your face I’m right?”
“Right?” I mouth, frowning and secretly hating that he’s removed his hand.
“Vee doesn’t know, does he?” His tone is more accusatory than questioning.
I shake my head.
He tilts his own in thought, his gaze flickering upwards. “Which means…” his impish gaze lands back on me. “Daddy Bonanno doesn’t know either.”
Shit.My blood freezes in my veins. “Roman, I?—”
