Chapter 9 #2
And just like that, we were alone again. Except now, the air was filled with something new. Not just power, not even danger. But the shared silence of two people in a world built on violence, learning how to survive inside each other’s arms.
I shifted slightly in Roman's lap, uncertainty blooming in my chest. "Roman... am I in the way?"
He looked at me, brow furrowed. "What?"
"You didn't go back to the meeting, instead you stayed with me. And then there was Krall, and... I just don't want to be a distraction."
His hand cupped my cheek, forcing me to meet his gaze. "You are never in the way, you’re now the reason I breathe, Layla. Nothing is more important than you, not business, not even a war. Nothing."
I blinked rapidly, overwhelmed by the conviction in his voice.
"We’ll build this life together," he continued, his tone softening. "You’ll adjust, we’ll find balance, and my brothers will pick up the slack when I need to be with you. Which will be most of the time. "
I let out a shaky breath. "You make it sound so easy."
"It isn’t," he admitted. "But it’s worth it, you’re worth it. I have waited centuries to find you, nothing will drag me away from you now."
Before I could answer, the door opened again and Volken entered first, and behind him, to my absolute shock, was Rosemary.
"You brought her here?" I blurted, eyes wide.
Roman shrugged. "You said you needed to talk to her. I made sure you could."
Rosemary stopped just inside the room, eyes scanning the luxury around her before landing on me. Her brows slammed together.
"What the hell, Layla? You vanish for a day and don’t call me?"
I stood up, nerves knotting in my stomach. "I was going to…"
Her gaze slid to Roman, then Volken, and I watched her body language change entirely. She smoothed her hair and smiled, the kind she wore when she wanted something.
"And who are you two? "
"Roman Dragic," Roman said coolly.
"Volken Dragic," Volken added with a nod.
Rosemary’s eyes sparkled. "Well, damn. Layla, you didn’t tell me you knew a couple of gods."
I flushed with embarrassment at Rosemary’s flirting. Looking up at Roman I ask, "Can I talk to Rosemary? In the boardroom?"
Roman gave a tight nod, but I felt the pulse of his power brush against my skin like a warning. He did not like her presence here.
Walking towards the boardroom I take Rosemary’s hand pulling her behind me, interrupting her flirtatious stare at Volken. Inside the boardroom, I closed the door behind us.
"What the hell is going on?" Rosemary asked immediately. "You disappear, don’t call, and now you’re... what, shagged up with a billionaire with bodyguards?"
"He's actually my boyfriend, Rosemary. That’s all you need to know."
Her attitude shifted. "Boyfriend? Come on Layla, these types of men don’t go for woman like you. He’s just using you.” Her words hit a nerve, I know I’m not worldly or beautiful like woman that Roman would be used to, but he has shown me that he wants me.
“He is my boyfriend,” I reiterate.
“Well then... if that’s the case, get the money before he changes his mind, Layla. Finally cash in. God knows we’ve been scraping by long enough."
I stared at her, stunned. "Are you serious? That’s what you care about? Money?"
"What else is there? If he wants you around, he can pay for the privilege."
My anger boiled. "You’re being selfish, thoughtless... I could've been hurt, I could've been dead, and all you care about is squeezing money out of the man I'm with?"
Her lips twisted. "I just think you should be practical."
"You know I’m not like that," I snapped.
Before she could respond, the boardroom door opened. Roman stepped inside, Volken a shadow behind him. The air seemed like it dropped ten degrees.
"Layla lives with me now," Roman said, his voice like stone. "She will call you when she has time, you will not call her, and you will not come here again unless you are invited."
Rosemary looked between us, mouth slightly open.
"If you care about your sister, you will respect that. If not... we’ll be done here." Roman didn’t need to raise his voice. His presence was enough.
Rosemary nodded quickly, visibly shaken. Her eyes questioning as she looks at me. Roman took my hand, threading his fingers through mine.
"She’s mine," he said to Rosemary. "And I protect what’s mine."
I could tell by Rosemary’s shocked look that the message was received, loud and clear. “Layla?” Rosemary queries
“I’ll call you soon, promise me you will take care, okay?” At my words, I saw her body tense, and then it happened that stubborn expression she always wore when she was digging her heels in, about to argue no matter the cost.
"That’s it?" Rosemary snapped. "You disappear without a word, show up here like some queen with your rich boyfriend and now I’m just supposed to take care of myself while you what? Play kept woman in a glass tower?"
"It’s not like that," I whispered, heat rising in my chest.
"Isn’t it? You get swept up in his world and suddenly you forget about the sister who raised you? Who covered your ass when you needed it? Who kept a roof over our heads while you were too anxious to even speak to a guy?"
Guilt twisted in my gut, but it was laced with growing frustration. "I haven’t forgotten you. This just... it happened fast, and it’s not something I can explain."
"Right," she bit out. "Because suddenly everything’s a secret. Because now you have him, and I’m just supposed to wait by the phone like some discarded pet until you decide I’m worth talking to again."
Roman’s body stiffened beside me. I felt the shift in his aura before he even moved. "Enough," he said, voice quiet but edged in steel. "You were given the courtesy of being brought here, you’ve overstayed it."
Rosemary turned to him, eyes flashing. "So, you get to decide when I speak to my sister now? You own her? "
Before I could say anything, Roman took a single step forward, and I felt the temperature in the room drop. Volken moved silently from the doorframe, posture rigid, ready.
"She is not yours to guilt, she is not your responsibility to control. Layla is part of my world now, and in my world, disrespect has consequences."
Rosemary looked like she might push again, mouth opening, but I knew if I didn’t act now, Roman would do something we’d all regret.
I stepped in front of him, placing a hand on his chest. "Roman... please."
He looked down at me, eyes still blazing, but he gave a single, sharp nod. He would let me handle it. For now.
I turned to Rosemary. "You need to go, this isn’t helping either of us. You came, you saw I’m okay and that’s what matters."
"But you're not okay," she argued. "You're locked in his world, and you expect me to just smile and leave you to it? What if he hurts you? What if you change and forget who you are? Who we were? "
"I won’t forget," I said firmly. "But this is my choice. You don’t have to like it, but you do have to respect it. You are still my sister, and I swear I will contact you and we will be together again just not living together. I am with Roman now."
She stared at me for a long moment. Her eyes were glassy, like she might cry, but the tears never fell.
"Fine," she muttered. "But don’t expect me to wait around for you when you come crawling back."
With that, she turned and walked out, Volken following her like a silent shadow to ensure her exit.
When the door clicked shut behind her, I felt Roman’s arms slide around me again, anchoring me.
"I’m sorry," I whispered.
"Don’t be," he said, his voice low in my ear. "You handled it with more patience than I would've."
I wasn’t sure if that made me feel better or worse.
But I knew one thing for certain, my life had changed forever.
And there was no going back. My heart felt heavy at the way Rosemary left, but with time I would ensure that she understood the way I felt about Roman, and I would ask Roman to make sure that she was settle in her life.