Chapter 85
FREYA
He’d taken me to a room that could’ve been some sort of office–sleek, minirnal, and intimidated me to hell. Heavy oak desk and plush leather chairs were wrongly placed in the mess brewing in my brain. He said Alden was on his way, but every tick felt as if it was an eternity. My palms were wet, my stomach twisted in dread, and my thoughts were mining crazy with wild possibilities
Was all of this some kind of sick game? Some kind of sick joke? It plagued my mind, fueling growing paranoia that Roman would smile and tell me this was all for his entertainment. Logically, it was impossible–what could this man possibly get out of torturing someone as lowly as mel Yet my life had a peculiar habit of careening into absurdity, and I wouldn’t put anything past.
The distant echo of hurried footsteps jolted me from my spiraling thoughts.
“Where is she?” Aiden’s voice rang out, raw and demanding. Relief flooded through me like a tidal wave. Seconds later, he appeared, flanked by two men, his steps quick and purposeful.
Aiden I leaped up from my chair as though a rubber band had shot out pulling me with an invisible string. The second his eyes locked onto mine. I felt the wall within me crack. He took two long strides into the room, and without pause, I ran into him, flinging myself upon his body, my legs crumbling under the weight of emotion.
“Freya,” he whispered, his voice low, rough, barely keeping inside the tempest brewing within his controlled façade. “Shit, baby, you had me thinking 1 was going to be inching my way into eternity“
It was his warmth that had wrapped me in his arms that broke me. I hid my face in his chest and started talking, words tumbling out in a disjointed ramble. “I was so scared. I didn’t know what was happening, and I thought I would never get out of here.” Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision, but I did not care. I needed him to hear me, to know what I had been through
I’m pregnant. Aiden. We’re having a baby”
His body locked up, and then his arms pulled me close, holding me as if he could protect me from every evil in the world. “I know, sweetheart. I got your surprise.”
A laugh, shaky, broke out of me, a rare ray of light cutting through the darkness. I clung to him, my fingers digging into his back as if afraid he’d disappear.
I’m so sorry,” I whispered against him, feeling bad for the mess I’d caused.
He spoke without hesitation or doubt. “It’s okay. You’re safe now”
As he drew back to look at me, his face was a study in relief and anger. The shift happened instantly the second his eyes settled on my bruised cheek and the thin cut along my temple.
“Who did this to you?” he demanded, his tone colder than I’d ever heard.
I swallowed hard, averting my gaze. My silence spoke louder than words, and his attention s contained rage.
“Freya.” A new voice snapped me out of my haze.
shifted to Roman, his jaw tightening with barely
I turned to see Reyna rushing toward me. She enveloped me in a hug, her familiar scent and warmth grounding me.
“Oh my God, Reyna.”
Aiden wasn’t finished. His rage could be felt, and it seemed like the tension within the room was building minute after minute.
“Did your boys do this to her?” Aiden snarled as his gaze snapped to Roman’s face.
Roman, to be honest, was unfazed, his voice even–toned. “We should have a seat and discuss.
“No.” Aiden’s voice was a low growl, his body practically vibrating with fury. “I’m not sitting down for anything. Your men kidnapped my girlfriend, and they put their hands on her.”
“You wanted to make her one of your whores?”
Roman’s jaw twitched, his calm mask splining apart. “It was not me,” he growled. “Some stupid dude. Not my boys. And the whores running the
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Chapter 85
clubs and brothels are here to work voluntarily. I didn’t ever force anyone, nor
ne, nor did no
now.
His words carried gravity, a gentle but forceful line in the sand.
“The guy who took your girlfriend! My men are holding him hostage. I figured you’d want to do the honors.”
“You bet I would,” Aiden hissed through clenched teeth.
Roman inclined his head slightly, his version of an apology. “I apologize for the disrespect to your girlfriend. I owe you one.”
Aiden didn’t hesitate. “In that case, I’d like to collect it now, I want Noah.”
My head jerked up at that, surprise dancing for a moment across Roman’s otherwise unreadable face. “Done,” he said after a beat, his tone clipped.
Before I could work my head around their exchange, my voice came out of my mouth. “I need something from you.”
All gazes turned to me. My heart pounded in my chest, but I straightened my spine.
Roman cocked a brow. “Well, what is it?
Bianca,” I said, pushing the words out, “She works at Ruby. Let her go. If she wants to
Roman’s expression was unreadable, but he nodded curtly. “Get Bianca here he instructed one of his men.
Reyna leaned in closer. “Who is Bianca?” she whispered.
You’ll see, I whispered back, my voice shaky but firm.
Moments later, Bianca appeared, her suspicious eyes flicking between us before coming to rest on Roman.
“You called, boss?
Roman leaned his head forward, giving me a silent floor.
I moved forward, my nerves bubbling up again. “Bianca,” I began softly.
Her eyes flitted to mine, and confusion was etched in her features. “Freya, what’s happening?” she asked.
“Do you want to start over! You said you’re working here because you don’t know if you’ll find a job. So I’m offering you a job. Come work with me at my cafe.
Her eyes widened, her lips parting in stunned disbelief. “I know it’s not the job you wanted,” I rushed on. “But you can always find a job at a flower shop later if you want. I will—”
“Yes” Her voice cut through my rambling. “Yes, I’ll work for you.”
Relief washed over me, and I smiled, tears threatening to spill again. She cast a cautious glance at Roman, who simply nodded.
“You’re free to leave,” he said levelly.
“Thank you, boss. It was actually nice working for you,” she said before turning back to me.
“Here’s my number, I said, giving her a scrap of paper. “Call me, okay?”
She squeezed my hands tightly before stepping away, likely to gather her belongings
Roman’s voice broke the silence. “Once again, I’m sorry for what you had to suffer”
I met his eyes, saw sincerity
ity there. “It wasn’t your fault”
“Come on, baby. Let’s get you home, Aiden said, his arm already wrapping protectively around me.
I could feel my eyes drifting back toward Roman as we walked out. For a man of shadows, his granting me these small mercies left this strange
sense of gratitude in my chest. But as Aiden guided me forward with a calm presence, I knew one thing for sure: I was finally free.
