Chapter 45 A Bloodline Of Vampires The tension might have reduced after Chloe’s outburst but I was sure that this was in no way over. Not by a long shot. Not when she’d just been denied something she wanted so badly. And the worst part? The thing she craved had landed in my lap without me having to lift so much as a manicured finger. Talk about karma and twist of fate having a drunken one-night stand after one too many tequilas. From across the lawn, I spotted Dean reemerging from the house with his bride in tow. Somehow, he’d managed to tame her storm, because she came out looking lighter—smiling even. But the new shine didn’t fool me. Her eyes still found me in the crowd like heat-seeking missiles, and each glare carried enough venom to melt the heels right off my shoes. I counted at least six in the last minute. The music had died down now to a slow R&B and only uncle Jace seemed to be grooving, swaying his hips in blissful ignorance. Everybody was still expecting the other shoe to drop and frankly, I was too. While they were hanging back, pretending to mingle while their ears stayed tuned for the next explosion, I was the one looking over my shoulder in case she sent a flying shoe my way. Every clink of a beer bottle made me twitch, every loud laugh pulled my gaze toward Chloe just in case she decided to make her second act. But from the look of things, Chloe didn't seem to be gearing up for a fight. If anything, she seemed pretty normal, smiling and feeding Dean grapes. And he was eating everything up like a grateful Labrador. Ew. A flicker of movement caught my eye, and I glanced left to see Roman cutting across the lawn. His steps were smooth, measured, but there was tension in his shoulders, and his brow was pulled into a tight line. The closer he got, the more I noticed—his eyes scanning, jaw clenching, the faintest crease at the corner of his mouth. “So, what now?” He asked the moment he closed the distance between us, settling down on the seat beside me. I was instantly hit with the smell of his cologne— smooth sandalwood, dark musk, and the faint scent of bergamot— and aftershave mixed with a little bit of smoke from the barbecue. And strangely it was intoxicating. Surprisingly hot. At least hot enough to make me inch closer to him to steal more of it. Even though I was still a little mad at him about earlier. “Sav?” He nudged me with his knee, bringing back my senses. I shook my head, eradicating the strange thoughts from my head. “Sorry, I was a little carried away.” “I asked what happens now that there’s a famous magazine involved, and social media’s lighting up—thanks to Lizzie.” His gaze flicked toward her. “We didn’t even think this through. Especially the part where we have to explain why there’s still no fixed date for the wedding.” His words dropped on me like a pile of bricks, and under their weight, another realization hit. “We didn't even discuss how we'd get out of the fake engagement in the first place.” I realized. “Roman, what do we do now?” “We'll think of something.” His eyes scanned the yard. “And judging from how many calls I've gotten from Terry, I'm certain that he's stumbled upon our photos online.” The mention of my boss had my heart free falling into my stomach. I'd forgotten everything about my job. My boss, Terry Goldberg and Roman were close. Really close. They play golf and tennis together. So I'm certain he's probably just calling to get the actual gossip on how his good friend ended up being engaged to his clumsiest staff member. I pulled my knees together, hands by my side. “Now I'm certain everyone at the office has been blowing up my email since the last four days.” Roman’s lips curved—barely. “Probably.” I groaned. “There’s a sack letter with my name on it. I can feel it.” “Why do you think so?” “Because… because maybe it's against company rules or something.” “No. I'm not a staff there, Sav. I was just there for the merger with Eastview Firm. The no-dating thing only applies to staff. Not partners.” Relief loosened my spine. “Okay. So what now?” “Keep up that act. The magazine will be attending your sister's event for coverage. According to Lizzie, Chloe landed a half spot on the back page because of the stunt she pulled at the hospital. She did get their attention after all.” I couldn't help but grin wide again. I glanced at Chloe and as I suspected, she was already looking at me and the daggers in her eyes could’ve easily pinned me to the wall. She was the first to look away. “We've only got a few days left to be in New Hope. Then we'll be going back to Philly.” I crossed my legs toward him, lowering my voice. “Maybe we can cite irreconcilable differences as the reason for our breakup and ending the engagement.” “No.” Roman answered immediately. “People will see through the lie. That reason has already been overused by the way.” I nodded, agreeing. “Maybe we'll say our different schedules and professional lives drifted us apart. We didn't have any time to ourselves after we returned and were thrust fully into work mode once again. That should work.” His eyes cut to mine. “No. My family will see through the lie. Especially now that Ryan has announced it to all of them.” “Your family?” I blinked, “Wait, you have one of those?” I couldn't hide my shock. “Unfortunately, I do. Everyone does, don't they?”The words seemed so ordinary, but in five years, this was the first time Roman had even hinted at them. He never traveled home for the holidays. Never mentioned parents or siblings. I only learned about his brother three days ago, and that had been an accident. My curiosity rose like steam. I began to wonder what else he might be hiding and why he even hides so much about himself from me. And from the rest of the world. “I'm surprised, that's all. You've never mentioned them to me before.” I stared off. To where Lizzie and Alyssa were still standing with eyes glued to the screen. “They weren't worth mentioning.” He muttered. “But now, they've forcefully made an entrance.” There was a change in him. A subtle tightening, like a string pulled too taut. His fingers curled once before flattening against his thigh. I gulped, not exactly knowing how to deal with angry Roman. Even after five years of friendship— and a few days of whatever the hell we were now. Best friends with benefits? Fuck buddies? I have no idea what category we fall under now. So I just scooted closer to him, looped my arm through his and rested my head lightly against his shoulder. “Please don't get mad. I don't know how to deal with you when you're mad” I bluntly admitted. “You’re a little scary when you're angry.” He smiled, the corners of his mouth twitching just a little. “Is clingy Anna making an appearance?” I laughed at the nickname he coined for the version of me that loved lying on his back whenever he was doing press-ups. I laughed, “It depends. Is it working? Are you still angry?” He didn’t answer immediately. His gaze was locked on some point across the lawn, eyes sharp, almost predatory. He sighed, his previous fury returning. “You don't understand, Savannah.” “Then make me,” I said softly. “That’s what friends do, right? Even if they’ve—” I lowered my voice— “slept together.” He laughed. That deep, low chuckle that had him shaking his head a little as if he couldn't believe that he was best friends with someone as chaotic as me. “My family isn't exactly your typical family, Sav.” I smirked, “Are you from a bloodline of vampires?”. His eyes darkened. “I'd take that over what I have. Anytime. Any day.” I opened my mouth to joke again, but his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and in that fraction of a second, something shifted in his expression. Just enough to let me know that it was probably them. His family. He stood without another word. “Give me a minute. I have to take this.” And then he was gone, making his way through the crowd with the same smooth, measured stride—but his shoulders were tighter now, like he was walking toward something he’d been dreading. From the corner of my eye, Chloe was watching me again, a slow, evil smile curling on her lips before she turned back to Dean. A prickle danced up my spine. I didn’t know if it was from her smile… or from the fact that Roman had just left me with a hundred unanswered questions and a gut-deep certainty that whatever was coming… it wasn’t going to be good.