ROME
Chapter sixteen
Tapping the microphone, I speak into it. “What do you want?”
I can’t say Rain and his little dick grabbing fiasco hasn’t put me in a sour mood. I fell right into his trap, and I hate myself for it. Once Blade’s car screeched out of the car park, I scrubbed myself raw in the bathroom and only just made it back in time for the curtain to open.
A gloved hand reaches out, and the doorbell rings again. I throw back the blanket and pull my t-shirt over my head as I make my way downstairs, stumbling on the last step. Undoing the dead bolt and typing in the pin, I swing the front door open.
My throat tightens. Dark chocolate eyes, thick, well-kept hair. “Good morning, Rome.”
“A-Aaron.”
“May I come in?”
Clearing my throat, I step aside, opening the door wide. He closes the umbrella and shakes it out to lean it against the wall inside.
“You have more manners than your son,” I grit out, closing the door.
“Given Rain’s eidetic memory, one would assume he’d have learnt them already. I do apologise if I woke you, but I have other, more pressing matters to deal with, so you came first this morning.”
“I told Rain last night that I don’t want contact with him, and I’d very much appreciate him not showing up in my house.”
Aaron chuckles quietly, wiping away a few droplets clinging to his black woollen coat. “That explains the timing.”
“Excuse me?”
Just like Rain, he makes himself welcome and moves to pull out a dining chair.
I take back my statement about manners.
Stepping into the kitchen, I flick on the kettle, because I have etiquette.
I’ve done my research on the Westons. This man’s net worth is in the billions.
He owns a real estate development company that includes a chain of hotels and apartments, but his demeanour screams mob boss or mafia rather than CEO.
I feel like a puny ant he’ll squish at the wrong word.
“I see you have better security.” He motions to the front door.
“I didn’t approve it.”
“It’s necessary.”
“I don’t want anything to do with Rain.”
He relaxes back, tilting his head—aaand there goes one of my six legs.
“Would you like to know why I invested in your team, Rome?”
I jump when the kettle flicks off. “Rain?” I guess.
“I invested in your team,” he continues while I finish making my drink, “because I saw the potential. Your team finished second last year and third the year before…meaning?”
Watching the steam rise from the cup, I realise he meant that as a question. “First this year. You are aware that’s not how it works, though,” I mutter as I turn around.
“I see potential in your team, and Rain recognises the potential in you.”
“He broke into my house…multiple times.”
“While asking you for a date would have been a better option, I’ve been informed that cannot be the case. Rain has you in his head; once something is in his brain, he will never forget it. He won’t let you go, Rome, nor will I encourage him to.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I’d like you as my son-in-law.”
He reaches into his coat to take out a small white box and envelope, placing them on the table. Swallowing the growing lump in my throat, I reluctantly take a seat across from him and hesitantly lift the lid. Rage ignites in my chest.
A fucking Porsche car key.
“It’s parked outside.” He motions to the envelope next. “That’s a black card in your name containing ￡20 million.”
My eyes snap wide, and I shake my head. “I don’t want it.”
“It’s yours.”
“Is that your money?”
“No. Since Rain turned twenty-two, he’s been granted portions of his trust yearly. I don’t give money to people who don’t deserve it. Both my sons have earned what they have in various ways.”
Well, that sounds incredibly cryptic.
He slides a hand inside his suit jacket, pulling out a small black box.
“This is my gift to you.” Uncurling my hands from my cup, I lift the lid.
A silver ring flicks in the dim light. “A family ring. Rain has one, as does Blade.” Pulling off his right glove, he displays his on his middle finger.
“In bello et in morte.” My brows pull together.
“Inscribed inside.” He motions to the ring I don’t want.
“It’s Latin for in war and death.” Releasing a long sigh, he stands and tucks in the chair.
“You’ve met Blade, correct?” I jerk my brows up, unimpressed.
“Mmm,” he hums with a smile. “That’s most usual reaction.
I apologise on my son’s behalf for any rude comments he may have made thus far.
Blade doesn’t care for anyone in this world besides his brother. ”
“And Alexa?”
His hands slide into his pockets as his gaze drifts away. “Blade was enthralled with Alexa the moment he saw her, but his obsession was driving him toward a prison cell I was unsure I’d be capable of saving him from.”
“You seem scared of your own son.”
“At times, I am,” he admits. “There is no limit to what Blade will do to get what he wants, and I’m currently the only one standing in his way. You’re already family, Rome.” He hits my shoulder. “I apologise for waking you.”
Rain can’t just declare he wants me and it be so. He can’t send his father to present me with gifts and believe it will change anything. I don’t want Rain Weston. I want my life back.
I thought I’d finally be able to breathe with the knowledge he’s on another continent, and yet, my lungs are still tight. I need to refrain from surveying every corner of every room to confirm he’s not here.