No one could rule alone, and Roam’s territory, although rapidly growing, bordered many acquaintances that had the ability to fuck with him, even if only to irritate.
And I just wanted my girl back.
My head was a leaking sieve, oozing dejection from every small hole. I hadn’t slept. My every thought chafed and punished.
Sitting on the edge of her bed in the dark, I called her cell constantly, and although it rang, it remained unanswered, clicking over to her voicemail. I left short messages, knowing she’d never get them, but needing to say my piece.
“Hey, it’s Nas. Leave a message. I might get back to you. I might not. So make it interesting.”
I could hear her sassy smile in that message. I could see the narrowed eyes and attitude begging for a bitch to test her. Jesus. Nas was smart, and feisty, and gave all of herself without asking for anything in return.
My little hellcat, made up of fire and flame.
I was a broken man without her.
Was she scared? Frightened? Had she eaten? Slept? What were they doing to her?
It drove me insane.
Just hearing her voice made my chest ache. My throat tightened, but because we’d always dealt with our anger and grief with humor, a small smile tilted my lips as I rumbled, “You know, if you wanted my attention, there were other ways to get it. Getting yaself kidnapped? A bit much, even for you.”
A few hours later. “That day at the pier… that ring, the heart-shaped one in the plastic ball….” I paused, afraid of revealing too much to a cellular device and not the woman herself. So, I tried again. “I don’t think there is a man alive who is more committed to you than I am. Have been since I was old enough to understand what I had in you.” I swallowed hard and closed my eyes. “And I want you back. Here, with me.”
Then, at midnight, I lay in her bed, my head buried in her sweet scent. “What I’d give for another kiss.”
It was close to dawn when I tried again. My eyes stuck, dry and itching from lack of rest. The next message I left was somber but determined. “I’m done waiting, baby. Things are gonna be different when you get back.”
If you get back.
The thought stuck, and a bitter taste entered my mouth.
No. I wouldn’t think on it. I couldn’t.
And when the first beams of sunlight broke through the blinds, I got up and showered in her bathroom, then dressed in her room. I drank my first cup of coffee in her kitchen, if only to feel closer to her.
She was coming home today. No question. I guaranteed it. If he chose problems, I’d give him a big one. He had no idea who he was dealing with. He was playing a dangerous game, and my prize would be his head. I had no issues shedding blood for my woman. In fact, at this point, with the anger and wrath building in me with each passing moment, I fucking craved it.
I dared him to try me. Today of all days.
As I sat silently, staring into space, the front door opened, and Sasha walked through, looking pristine in his light-gray suit. Without a word, he took a mug, filled it with coffee, and approached slowly, searching my face with his tired eyes.
He didn’t have to prompt me.
I peered at my phone a moment before picking it up and putting it to my ear. It rang only twice before he answered.
“Ah, Viktor,” Roam answered pleasantly. “I hope you weren’t too displeased with the fact that I missed your calls.” I could hear his fucking smile. “All—what was it—thirty-seven of them?”
Don’t snap. Just let it go. Choke it down.
I focused on my breathing. “I get it. You’re a busy man.”
Roam’s pause was beautiful. My chill response had the effect I desired.
“That I am,” was his curt reply. “Now, as you know, I’m busy entertaining a lovely brunette. Her fire is positively exceptional.” He spoke knowingly, “She fights so prettily, wouldn’t you say?”
If he fucking touched her, there wouldn’t be a place on earth he’d be safe from me. If I found a single scratch on her, I’d follow this demon down into the depths of hell to taste his blood.
My jaw tightened along with my grip on my phone. “Nastasia is… incomparable.”
“Hmmm.” Roam made a sound deep in his chest. “I don’t know about that. But you do you.” And finally, the passive-aggressive civilities were over. “Now.” He sounded bored. “I suppose you’d like her back.”
It was hard. I wanted to shout at the top of my lungs. Argue and rage until my face turned blue. But I didn’t bite. No. Instead, I simply stated, “I have an offer for you.”
Roam seemed mildly surprised at my straightforward yet calm manner, and I could tell it ate at him to not get the reaction he wanted from me. Especially when he uttered an abrupt, “I’m all ears.”