Black Diamond (Obsidian 2)

I missed her even more now.

I wanted to say something, but I wasn’t sure if it was too soon. Was it better just to stay quiet? Should I say hello? Was it more or less awkward to say something? “I got your budget reports. I approved everything you asked for.” It wouldn’t be smart to talk about our relationship, not when we’d just broken up twenty-four hours ago. But talking about work was safe. It was better than not saying anything at all.

“That’s great.” Her beautiful voice came out quiet. “Thank you.”

“I have a few potential donors on my line. If we snag them, we can do more this year. We’ll see.”

She nodded but didn’t say anything.

Once the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened, she walked out first. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Owens.”

Mr. Owens.

I fucking hated it when she called me that. So impersonal. So meaningless. I was so much more to her than Mr. Fucking Owens. “Have a good night, Rome.” I wasn’t embarrassed to admit I stared at her ass as she walked away, watching it shift from side to side in her tight dress.

I’d probably beat off to the image tonight.

The second I got home, I hit the bottle again.

It’s not like I had anything else to do.

My liquor cabinet was impressive because I collected fine wines and aged scotch. Sometimes bourbon and whiskey were in the mix. Ironically, I didn’t care for beer. Far too weak for what I was used to.

A knock sounded on my front door, my hopes immediately jumping to finding one person standing there.

Rome.

Only she and Jackson knew where I lived. And it was unlikely that Jackson had decided to show up at my door.

I opened the front door without even bothering to check who was on the other side. I wanted to come face-to-face with the beautiful woman who was constantly on my mind. I wanted to hear her say she would accept me for who I was and that we would work it out somehow.

But it was Christopher.

Looking just as pissed as before.

And Rome wasn’t with him.

“I’m not gonna punch you in the face.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “But if you say something, I might change my mind.”

My disappointment swelled into my lungs and spread into my stomach. He was the last person I cared to see. “What do you want, Christopher?”

“What are you going to do about the apartment? I can get out within a month, but Rome is gonna have to go somewhere else. There won’t be room for her.”

“You guys are staying put.” Even if she wasn’t mine to take care of, I liked knowing she was safe. “I don’t want the apartment. Keep it.”

His anger never faded. “Is that supposed to make me like you?”

“No. I can tell your hatred is here to stay.”

“Damn right it is.” He dropped his arms to his sides then cracked his knuckles. “You’re such a fucking asshole. You’ve got a lot of nerve.”

“You’re one to talk,” I snapped. “You’re the one who wanted to join Ruin.” If he was gonna judge me, then his record better be squeaky clean.

He held up his finger like he was making a point. “I’m a single guy who can do whatever he wants. I’ve always been up front about my true colors with women. If you’re into that kinky shit, I don’t give a damn. But you swept Rome off her feet by pretending to be this compassionate humanitarian, and it was just a bunch of bullshit. That’s unforgivable, Cal. And we both know it.”

“I am a compassionate humanitarian. But I’m also into Ruin.”

“I can only imagine the shit you did behind Rome’s back every night she was sleeping down the hall from my bedroom. You’re a piece of shit. I would kill you if I could get away with it.”

I knew he meant it. “Christopher, I ran the business, but I never betrayed Rome. My hands were kept to myself. I never even looked at another woman.”

He stared me down, his expression cold.

“I know you believe me.” It was a gut instinct, a sense I could feel. “I was happy with Rome and never needed anyone else. My brother Jackson is too stupid to be in charge, so I need to do it. Yes, I’m a Dom and I usually have a sub, but I haven’t participated in that lifestyle since the day I met your sister.”

When Christopher was quiet, I knew he’d heard the sincerity in my voice.

“I miss her.” I normally wouldn’t say that to another guy, but I was at my lowest point. “I miss her like crazy, and I wish we could work this out. But she wants nothing to do with me—and I respect that.”

“Why didn’t you just tell her?”

“I was going to. I was just waiting for the right time.”