Chapter 25 #2
We divide and conquer. Roman splits off and heads down the beer aisle while John follows me through the snacks. We grab an assortment of chips and prepackaged cookies.
Gale and Bensen meet us back up front with sandwiches and yogurt parfaits. Gale gives us a sour look when he sees what we grabbed. “What are you guys, ten? What kinds of snacks are those?”
John shoves him playfully. “Live a little, Hopper. These cookies are fucking divine.”
Bensen laughs as we head to check out. Roman sets down two boxes of beer, and I glance up at him in surprise. “I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen you drink.” I chuckle.
He lifts a shoulder and lets it drop. “Unlike you, I’m actively working, Squirt.”
“Whatever.” I crack a smile. “I’m still looking for the flash drive and cleaning up the farm. Those count.” I’m reaching, honestly.
He chuckles and crosses his arms before giving me a smooth smile. I forget that the squad is here with us, watching. Roman seems to have forgotten too, because he flinches and looks over at them the same time I do.
Bensen’s eyes are wide, and Gale’s too distracted to take his change from the cashier. John elbows Gale to get him out of his thoughts, and everyone snaps out of it.
My cheeks warm, and I hesitantly glance at Roman. He’s looking down at his phone as a distraction, but I don’t miss how red the tips of his ears are and the blush that’s racing over his nose.
Not so tough. I bite down on my lower lip to keep my smile from spreading.
The ride back to the farm is bliss. The cold air moves through us as I listen with my eyes closed to “Orpheus” by mgk. Roman has this one on repeat. By the time we’re back at the house I have it stuck in my head, and the grin on my face couldn’t be scrubbed off with a wire brush.
The rest of the night we hang out with the guys and finalize the plan to get the message to Callum. It’s decided that we’re going to try to find Grahm at the next race party this coming weekend. I’m going to break away from the squad and tell Grahm I want to talk to Callum in private.
It takes me a few minutes to agree to seek out Grahm on my own.
I have to assume he’s just as dangerous as Callum.
Hailey’s bruises flash through my mind and make me angry again.
Fucking asshole. Even if he didn’t do all of it, I know he hurt her at some point because there was blood on his hoodie that night.
“We’ll be close and watching, so don’t worry.” John smiles reassuringly.
Roman stares at him and narrows his eyes at the glimmer we all see in John’s gaze. “Sub-Rosa isn’t going to do anything with that many people around. They won’t risk their parties. It’s the main way they distribute their drugs and products.”
I flinch. “They what? I didn’t know they were the ones that threw the parties.”
Bensen shakes his head. “Originally, they might have started them, but that was years ago. It’s become such a town ritual that they no longer host them.”
It’s disturbing to think about, but how many “traditions” have been started with ill will?
Using civilian gatherings like nightclubs and church events or even parties like this to make trades without authorities picking up on it—something that should be fun and harmless is used to cover for an underworld so dark and gruesome.
“Okay, I’ll make sure he gets the message.” I wish I sounded more courageous, but this isn’t a game. Not after what I’ve already seen the Icarus Squad do and knowing Callum.
We finish eating with small talk and end the night with a movie. Roman has a few beers, and I enjoy the laughter and ease with which he speaks to his men.
I fall asleep in Roman’s lap halfway through the movie and only wake when the credits are rolling and Taylor’s obnoxious snores are the only sound that moves through the room.
Roman’s hand moves through my hair gently, and I decide to leave my eyes closed. Why ruin a moment like this?
“Are you sure, Syxx? I like her…but I don’t know if I trust her with this.” It’s John’s voice. My heart skips a beat. He doesn’t trust me? I didn’t think that would hurt coming from him, but it does.
Roman’s hand stills over my head. “I trust her, Bishop. That should be enough of a reason for you.”
My chest blooms with warmth, and I fight the smile that dares to spread at him sticking up for me.
John sighs, and I hear him shift to stand up. “All right, I hear you loud and clear, Lieutenant,” he says with the lift of his hands. “Come on, boys, we have training tomorrow. Get up.” He smacks Taylor’s head, and he grumbles awake.
They all sluggishly leave the living room.
My head is still in Roman’s lap when I look up at him. He’s staring down at me with an intensity that looks through me. I offer a small smile, lift my hand to his face, and brush the dark strands of hair that cover his forehead.
“What?” I ask with a soft chuckle.
He continues to look at me like he can’t tear his eyes away. “Nothing.” He dips his head down and slowly presses his lips to mine in an upside-down kiss.
My heart flutters, and I nearly lose my breath.
Roman pulls back up and smiles down at me. “Care to join me in bed?”
I lift a suggestive brow. “To sleep or…?”
Roman laughs as he cradles me in his arms and lifts me up with ease. “Guess we’ll find out when we get there, Squirt.”
I smile into the crux of his arm. He looks tired and like he has a lot on his mind, so I don’t expect him to pursue me in bed. To my delight, the moment our heads hit the pillows, he’s slipping his hand beneath my shirt and burying his face in my neck and shoulder, making me giggle.
“I can’t get enough of you,” Roman murmurs as his lips coast over my ear. “Why do you let me in, Briar?” He sounds tormented by the thought as he kneads my breast softly.
My back arches into him, pushing my ass into his hard cock.
He rolls me over as he shifts to lie on his back with me over him.
His hold on me is firm, one arm wrapped around my lower back and the other hand threaded in the hair at the nape of my neck.
He kisses me again and again, until I have to push myself up just to breathe.
“Why do you let me in?” I echo his question, our breaths heavy from our kisses.
He sets his hands around my back and stares at me thoughtfully, the lust slipping away from his eyes as he traces my features drunkenly. I study the scars on his face, yearning to kiss away all the pain he’s ever felt.
“Because you wouldn’t leave when I pushed you away,” he says with a wry smirk.
I laugh and shake my head, trying to roll off him, but he follows the motion and our positions are reversed.
His arms are braced on either side of my head.
“Because you didn’t let a grumpy, broken thing like me keep you from seeing the real me.
” His words are vulnerable, and his eyes reflect as much.
I stare into his gaze and slowly reach my hands up to his face and cup his cheeks affectionately. Tears brim in my eyes. “I let you in because you crashed in headfirst.”
A wide grin spreads over his lips, and he starts laughing so hard that it makes me burst into it too.
We hold hands, side by side, and share our warm laughter until we can’t anymore.
“Go to sleep, Squirt. We’ve got a busy week.” Roman wraps me back up in his arms.
It takes forever before I shut my eyes. How am I supposed to sleep when I know I’ll have to face Callum and Grahm in a few days?