Chapter 157 She's All Yours Roman Reese sat across from me like he owned the damn place. One leg casually crossed over the other, sandwich in hand—my sandwich—and that same boyish grin stretched across his face. That grin always irritated me. He wore it all the time like nothing in this world could ever touch him. Like nothing could ever rile him up. “So let me get this straight,” he began, chewing lazily. “Penny said she’d fuck you up, so now I’m supposed to fuck her up—until she loses everything? Her sanity, her career, maybe her mind? Just making sure I got the mission brief right.” He said it like it was a joke, like the whole thing was amusing. I’d replayed this scenario a thousand times in my head before he even showed up. The fallout with Savannah earlier had made me question whether this was a good idea. Bringing Reese anywhere near her was like handing a pyromaniac a can of gasoline. But Savannah… she insisted earlier in the kitchen. She’s headstrong that way. She wanted to face him. Wanted to prove she could handle him. And I got tired of arguing with her, so I folded.Now, he was here, lounging in my living room, eating what was meant to be my breakfast, making himself comfortable in my home as if he hadn’t been previously banned from it. I leaned forward, resting my forearms on my knees. “Penelope crossed a line. She insulted me, she insulted Savannah. Some things can’t be forgotten, Reese. She threatened me—challenged me. So I’m going to remind her who the fuck she’s going up against.” Reese swallowed another bite and wiped his fingers on a napkin with unnecessary care. “Ah,” he said slowly, as if he’d just solved some grand mystery. “Savannah’s involved. Now it makes sense.” I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He only smiled, eyes glinting with mischief. “Nothing. Just… checking a theory.” I didn’t trust that grin. Never had. Reese tilted his head back, studying the ceiling like he was calculating something. “So let me clarify again. My role in this grand scheme of yours is to… what exactly? Charm Penelope into submission? Screw her until she forgets her own name? Seduce her for revenge?” I felt a migraine making its way in. “Your job is—” But he didn't let me finish. “So my job is basically to…whore myself out to her? Revenge sex? Is that the assignment?” Before I could answer, Savannah’s voice cut through the air dryly. “That shouldn’t be a problem for you, should it? If anything, it’s a bonus.” Reese twisted in his seat to face her, a slow grin spreading across his lips. “Always so smart, sister-in-law.” He looked her over with mock appraisal. “You might be right, though. It’s been awfully long since I tested my stamina on that particular track.” Savannah grimaced. “Ew.” “Enough,” I said sharply, sitting up straighter. “Reese, this isn’t a joke.” “Did I say it was?” he asked, his smile not faltering for a second. I ignored the jab. “I know it’s a lot to ask, considering everything that’s happened between you and her—” Before I could finish, he sprang to his feet and clapped his hands together, startling Savannah. “Say no more, brother. I’m in.” I blinked. “Just like that?”“Just like that.” “Even though she’s—” I didn’t bother finishing. He knew what I meant. “Won’t be a problem,” he said simply. “I’m bored out of my mind at Blackwood Manor anyway.” Savannah frowned. “You live at Blackwood Manor?” “Yes, sweet pea.” His grin widened. “Wanna come visit?” “No, she doesn’t,” I said immediately, cutting him off before he could dig deeper. “End of discussion.” Reese chuckled under his breath. “Your woman, your choice. I can respect that.” He turned toward me again, expression suddenly sharpening. “But before I start revving Penelope’s engine, I’ve got two conditions. No negotiation.” I knew this was coming. Reese never did anything without a catch. “Of course you do,” I muttered. “Name your price.” He laughed softly. “Price? You insult me, brother. I don’t need your money. I’ve got plenty.” His gaze slid sideways—to Savannah. My pulse ticked up instantly. “I swear to God, if you so much as suggest my fiancée—” Reese threw his head back and laughed. “Relax. Respectfully, she’s not even my type. Not one bit. She’s all yours, brother.” Savannah scoffed. “As if I’d ever want you.” Reese turned toward her again, his grin teasing but dark. “Oh, sister-in-law. If I fucked you once, you’d want me forever. Trust me.” Her eyes went wide. “In your dreams, creep.” “Would you two stop acting like children?” My voice came out harsher than I intended, but I didn’t care. The bickering was annoying as hell. “Reese, enough. What are your conditions?” He held up two fingers. “Number one: I’m moving in. I’ll stay here as long as necessary. You know—while fine-tuning the instrument.” Savannah’s jaw dropped. “What?! You’re moving here? With us? Absolutely not.” She turned to me. “Roman, don’t agree to this.” I didn’t say anything yet. I just watched Reese, waiting for the second shoe to drop. “And number two,” he said, lowering his fingers slowly, “your fiancée makes me this delicious sandwich every morning.”Savannah’s face twisted in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He shrugged. “What? It’s the best thing I’ve eaten all week.” I leaned back in my chair, running a hand over my face. Of course. Only Reese would turn blackmail into breakfast. Savannah threw her arms up. “You can’t be serious, Roman. He’s not staying here!” Reese flopped back onto the couch, smirking. “Oh, come on, sister-in-law. Think of it as… family bonding. You, me, and your brooding fiancé. What could possibly go wrong?” “Plenty,” I muttered. Plenty of things could go wrong with me, Savannah and Reese in one house. History could repeat itself. Another person I've fallen in love with could end up falling into Reese’s bed. I was tempted to say no. To end this madness now. But another part of me stopped me from doing so. That part of me was the part of me that saw this as not just a plot against Penelope—but a test for Savannah. I know, it's crazy. But a part of me is just curious to see if she'd make the same mistake Dahlia made. Savannah looked between us, her arms folded tightly. “You’re actually considering this?” I met her gaze. Her expression was tight, furious, but underneath it, there was something else—fear, maybe. Or dread. She knew what Reese was capable of. She’d heard stories of it. I exhaled slowly. “It’s temporary, my love.” Reese grinned. “Music to my ears.” Savannah rolled her eyes and turned away, muttering under her breath, “This is insane. I can't believe it.” Reese leaned back comfortably, stretching his arms along the backrest. “You’ll barely notice I’m here.” “That’s a lie if I ever heard one,” she shot back. He smirked. “You wound me again, sister-in-law.” “Call me that one more time, and I’ll—” “Both of you, stop,” I snapped, my patience thinning. “Reese, I swear, if you even look at her the wrong way—” He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, Roman. I’m here for Penny, not your fiancée.” Savannah crossed her arms, glaring. “Then maybe you should start by not eating my breakfast.”Reese took another unapologetic bite of the remaining sandwich and winked at her. “Noted.” The sound of her sigh filled the silence that followed. I got up and went to the bar counter, pouring myself a glass of scotch even though it was still morning. I needed it. With Reese under the same roof, peace was no longer an option. I took a slow sip and turned toward him. “You’ll stay in the guest room upstairs. Don’t touch anything that isn’t yours. Don’t start anything you can’t finish. And for the love of God, don’t look at my fiancée.” He mock-saluted me. “Yes, sir.” Savannah scoffed. “You think he’s actually going to listen?” “No,” I said flatly, setting the glass down. “But it makes me feel better to say it. And I'm not trusting him, Sav. I’m trusting you.” She gulped. Then slowly looked at Reese, probably realizing what that meant. Reese stood, brushing imaginary dust off his jeans. “I’ll get my things from the car.” “You already brought your things?” Savannah demanded. He smirked over his shoulder. “I like to be prepared.” She groaned, throwing her hands up. “I hate this. I hate this.” When he was out of the room, she turned on me, eyes blazing. “Roman, this is a disaster waiting to happen. You know what he’s like. You can’t control him.” I met her glare evenly. “I don’t need to control him. I just need him to do the job. And I need you to not lose focus.” Her voice dropped, sharp and low. “And what happens when he turns it into something else? When he drags us all down with him?” I didn’t answer. Because deep down, I’d already asked myself the same question. She sighed and sank onto the couch, frustration radiating off her. “You always do this. Don't act surprised when he burns everything to the ground.” My jaw tightened. “This time will be different.” Savannah laughed bitterly. “You actually believe that?”I looked toward the door where Reese had disappeared and forced a calm I didn’t feel. “I have to.” Because if I didn’t believe that, then I’d have to admit what I’d just done—I’d unleashed a wildfire inside my own home. And I wasn’t sure any of us would make it out unscathed.