ROME #2
“It’s not that…Just…” I spin around, the water stinging my raw skin. “I-I can’t do this, whatever this is. I don’t want to. Please, leave.”
His chocolate eyes search mine, displaying just as much hurt. “Baby,” he whispers.
“Now!” I shout, throwing the cloth to the corner and stepping out to snatch a towel from the rack.
Vomit jumps up, burning my chest as I clear my throat and wipe my eyes.
I can’t cry.
Men don’t cry.
Fuck, I’m so weak.
I wrap the towel around my waist, fighting to rid the fiery lump now in my throat, but I jolt when hands grip my shoulders to spin me. Air catapults from my lungs as I’m slammed back against the wall beside the door.
“Talk to me,” he urges.
“No. It’s fine for you to say you don’t want to talk, but you won’t extend me the same courtesy?”
“Fuck, fine… I was kidnapped when I was five.”
My heart drops. “You were what?”
He releases me to step back and lean against the vanity, folding his arms over his still-dripping chest. “My father has many enemies but also allies. My uncle—his brother—was invited to a poker game once. My uncle was smart and could count cards easily. Little did he know, if you beat the house…you don’t leave.
” I shake my head, pinching my eyes shut.
“Dad found out who killed his brother and put a bullet in them himself. He killed the head of their family, and they wanted retaliation.”
I fold my shaking hands over my chest, dreading the next part.
He clears his throat, speaking nonchalantly, like it’s not his own experiences he’s recounting.
“Four months after Dad killed him, Dad was in Paris on business. I was picked up from school by Dad’s security.
We stopped near a park, he got into the back seat, and I fought while he chloroformed me.
I woke up in a warehouse, strapped to a chair and gagged.
I was only five and scared out of my mind.
Dad agreed to the ransom immediately and had $500 million ready—he had apparently been in communication with a lower-level associate of the woman who ordered my kidnapping.
I’d been there for almost three days and was taken to the restroom.
I only knew it was night because there was a row of windows above.
That’s when the building was stormed and I was kept in the stall.
The man who tried to help me was shot by one of his own members when the door was kicked in.
He fell on top of me and was bleeding all over me.
I then watched an officer kill the person who shot him.
I was un-cuffed, my gag removed, and I was reunited with my parents immediately. ”
My heart is aching, and I’m not sure what to say. No words will make that experience less traumatic for him.
He waves a hand to the shower. “Can you explain now?”
I wipe my eyes, nodding. “I’m just—” I snap my mouth shut when a fist pounds my bedroom door.
“Rome,” my father calls.
No, no, no.
My face pulls taut as I look to Rain, who wears the most devious smile I’ve ever seen. “No.” I step in front of him and place a hand on his chest. “Just stay here.”
He cocks a brow. “He’s made you feel like shit your entire life. It’s my fucking turn.” He pushes past me and rounds the bed toward the door. Planting on a grin, he unlocks it as I step up behind him, the vomit back in my throat.
My father immediately locks his gaze to both our towels and wet hair. I drop my head, praying the ground could swallow me whole.
“I’m taking Indie and Kilah,” Dad snaps.
I shake my head. “No, they asked to stay here. They don’t want to leave.”
He gives that stern glare I’ve always been afraid of. “They’re my children, Rome.”
“And they’re my sisters,” I argue, stepping up beside Rain. “They aren’t comfortable in your house, but they are here.”
He laughs dryly, waving a finger between me and Rain. “You’re exposing them to this, and you believe that they’ll be comfortable with it?”
“They don’t seem to mind one bit,” Rain throws back.
“This is family business,” Dad argues.
“Rome is, and will forever be, my family.”
“I’m disappointed in you, Rome,” Dad scoffs. “What a terrible choice of partner.”
My thumbs rub against the underside of my fingers when Rain begins laughing. “Is it because I’m male, or the fact that I don’t give two shits about your opinion? Maybe both.”
“The girls are leaving.”
“No.” Rain grins. “You’re leaving—either in cuffs for trespassing, or of your own free will.”
“You fucking little punk.”
“I’d take the second option, Daniel, because I can ruin your life without even fucking blinking.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Oh, absolutely.”
“Enough,” I whisper. “Dad, you aren’t taking them.”
Dad’s hands shake, anger deepening his wrinkles. “That’s not your decision.”
“At least he has their best interests at heart.” Rain smirks. “Narcissists only ever think of themselves.” Dad’s brows raise, and he laughs as he turns. “Miranda,” Rain says.
Dad rigidly stops and turns around, fury blazing in his eyes. “What the fuck did you just say?”
Rain’s eyes narrow deviously. “Miranda.”
“Who’s that?” I ask.
Rain nods to me. “Do you want to tell him, or shall I?”
“You fucking cunt,” Dad spits through his teeth.
“I’ll take that as me.” Rain steps past me, fetching his phone from the side table. “Watch it,” he instructs, placing the device in my hand.
I click play. A dark-haired woman walks hand in hand with Dad as they enter what looks like a hotel room. Time stamped: Sunday, 27th September, 23:34.
“Watch the next,” Rain instructs.
I flick across, watching the next video. My father appears around the corner now, carrying the woman in his arms and opening the door. Time stamped: Tuesday, 29th September, 20:18.
My muscles tighten as I lift my head. “You’re cheating on Mum?” His chest pumps against his grey suit as he glares at Rain. “Answer me!”
“It’s complicated, Rome,” Dad says calmly, like we have a chance of sitting with one another and talking this out.
“Seems pretty fucking simple.” I wave the phone. “I have provided for this family for three years and this is what you’ve spent my money on? Hotel rooms for your fucking mistress.”
“The. Fuck. Did. You. Say?” Rain’s shocked glare quickly becomes overshadowed by anger.
I’ve been afraid of Rain since the first night I met him, but right now, the storm brewing in his eyes is terrifying.
“I should’ve checked your bank account.” Rain’s glare pins on Dad, every muscle in his large body tensing.
“Your son has been providing for your family?”
“He earns millions,” Dad argues. “I got him to where he is.”
“No,” Rain laughs, swiping his tongue along his teeth, like he’s seeking something to ground himself.
“He got himself to where he is. He trains his ass off in every season of weather. He follows his diet. He is beating himself up when he makes one small mistake, but I’m assuming that’s due to you.
You have taken advantage of his kind nature and manipulated him into paying for his family.
” Rain’s shaking body turns to me. “The twins’ school tuition, are you paying that? ”
All I can do is stare into the eyes of the only person who ever truly defended me. My sisters try, but I tell them to back down. My mother always sides with Dad. Anything that has ever gone wrong has always been my fault.
Rain slowly steps backwards. “I’d run, Daniel, before my bat meets your temple.”
“No, Rain. Don’t,” I plead.
“Listen to him, Rain.” My father has the audacity to smile.
“I won’t share the videos online because I don’t want anything to affect Rome.
I will, however, share them with your wife.
I’ll also have you arrested unless you say goodbye to your daughters and tell them you changed your mind.
” Rain takes another step toward the wardrobe. “Or I can have some fun. Your choice.”
Dad’s eyes lock to mine, and I wave the phone again. “Leave, because he will get that bat.”
“I’m disappointed in you, Rome.”
“What’s new?”