Chapter 12 12
Maisie's Pov
I hadn't stopped shaking since I left the packhouse. I didn't even stop shaking during the drive back to Roman's mansion.
Howard was never Kylie's child. That means she lied to Xavier. She lied to everyone and they easily believed her. I had believed her.
I suddenly felt like throwing up.
The taxi parked in front of the mansion’s gates and I got out of the backseat.
I passed the bill to the driver and he gave me a once-over.
“You okay?” He asked, his voice laced with concern.
“Of course. Keep the change.” I said, forcing steadiness into my shaky voice.
Then I turned away before he could say another word.
One more minute outside and I would start crying. I didn't trust myself right now.
My legs wobbled as I made my way into the mansion.
What would happen right now?
Will Roman laugh at me? Will he chase me away? Will he ….
I met a grey-haired man who looked like a butler. I expected him to demand who I was or even worse, throw me out but he simply nodded.
“Miss Williams, this way please,” he gestured towards the door.
I didn't ask any questions. I followed him quietly to what looked like a library.
It was a beautiful library. There were shelves full of leather-bound books stacked on the side of the room, an emerald carpet so thick I couldn’t hear myself walk, and giant windows overlooking the backyard.
Roman sat at one of the rosewood tables. His laptop was open in front of him, and he seemed lost in whatever he was reading. His attention was distracted when the butler cleared his throat.
Roman looked up and his brows dipped.
The butler bowed and left the room.
Roman shut his laptop abruptly and stood, his gaze sweeping over my face and my tight-knuckled grip on my bag.
Was he upset?
I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.
“What's wrong?” Roman asked, slowly reaching me.
I opened my mouth again to speak but the words died in my throat and to my absolute horror, tears welled up in my eyes.
For a brief moment, I thought I could control them but I failed miserably. A sob tore loose and that was it.
I broke down, my shoulders heaving, my stomach cramping from the force of my cries. My earlier tears were nothing compared to this. I’d unconsciously held back because I didn't want anyone to see me but right now, the pain, the anger, the frustration, everything let loose and I let it drown me.
I didn’t notice when strong arms wrapped around me and held me close.
I instinctively buried my face in his chest, taking solace in his warmth and faint, slightly smoky scent. For some reason I didn't understand, he made me feel safe.
I clung tightly onto his shirt and sobbed my heart out.
After what seemed like minutes or hours, my tears slowed to a trickle.
I quickly recognized my surroundings and pulled away from him.
“I’m so sorry,” I sniffled. “I didn’t mean to come in and cry all over you like that. I didn’t—I didn’t even say hi first.”
“It's alright,” He said, stuffing both his hands in his pockets. “What happened?”
Part of me wanted to lie to him but the look in his eyes told me he already knew.
“I went back to the packhouse…” I hiccupped. “I thought I'd see Xavier and tell him about Aria and how… the doctors…” It took several tries, but I finally got the words out. I told Roman what I had heard Kylie tell Howard and how I ran away without seeing Xavier in the end.
By the time I finished, Roman’s eyes took a colder shade, I felt genuinely terrified.
I braced myself for a further interrogation or for him to laugh at me and tell me he was right and I was wrong. To my surprise, it never came.
Roman just typed something on his phone and guided me to the nearest table.
I sat, confused, until two maids showed up seconds later with a silver tray. They placed them in front of me and removed the lace dish cloth to reveal a steaming mug of tea and an assortment of fruits and pastries.
“You must be hungry,” Roman sat across from me after they left. “Get something to eat.”
“Oh no. I'm good.” I shook my head.
As if on cue, my stomach growled. My cheeks heated with embarrassment.
A smirk softened Roman's lip. He didn't say anything as I tore into a croissant and took a sip of tea.
My eyes winged up at the taste. This was my favourite tea. How did he know about it? Not even Xavier knew I liked Jasmine tea.
Its comforting familiarity sent a wave of nostalgia crashing through me. If only I were home. I suddenly missed the simplicity of my younger days, when there was nothing my mother couldn’t soothe with a hug and a hot drink, where I could've further my degree in Gynaecology and work with children, a life where I wouldn't be in this mess.
Roman must've sensed the change in the atmosphere because he leaned back in his seat.
“What's your plan now?” It was a question I'd been anticipating for a while now. I didn't think he would bring it up now but we'd have to talk about it sooner or later. I might as well rip all the Band-Aids off at once.
“Honestly,” I set down the mug. “I don't know…. I would've returned home but dad doesn't want me around and… Xavier is…”
“The truth is you have nowhere else to go.” He concluded for me.
I nodded, looking down like a coward.
“I will help you.” He said, startling me.
I looked up at him. “You will?”
“I did offer an alliance earlier.” He smirked and sat closer to me.
I met his gaze, looking for any sign of mischief but found none. He genuinely wanted to help me.
He extended his hand to me. This time he isn't smiling. “Do we have a deal?”
I looked down at his hand. If I accept this deal, there is no going back but even if I wanted to refuse, where do I go back to? No one wants me. Not even my mate or my family, just this devil of a man who burns things on his path and leaves a trail of blood in his wake.
I swallowed a shuddering breath and took his hand in a firm grip. “We do.”
Roman’s lips curved into a faint smile and he rose to his feet. “Bold moves are necessary when dealing with certain people, Maisie. Are you aware of what you're walking into?”
I tried not to get terrified of his words and nod. “I'm well aware.”
Roman leaned down, his expression turning cold. “You will be nothing but a stepping stone for me. I will use you to achieve my goal and discard you.”
I met his cold gaze. “And I will do the same to you.”
He chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving mine. “Interesting. Most people would shy away from this type of confrontation but you’re a bold one. I like you.”
“I'm not most people,” I said coolly.
There was a flicker of something in Romann's gaze. Was it approval? I couldn't tell.
“I’m ready,” Recalling Kylie's words and Xavier's rejection flashed through my head, making my blood boil.
Roman took a step closer, his presence commanding but not threatening. “Are you? Because I've seen what happens when powerful people get desperate. They do dangerous things.”
For a moment, the air stiffened with tension but I held his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. “I’m not scared.”
Roman's smile was slow, almost predatory. “Good. Neither am I. Let's go.”
I joined him up. “Where are we going?”
There was a quiet knock on the door and the grey-haired man walked in.
“The jet is ready, Lord Alpha.” He said with a curt bow.
I blinked. “Jet? We're leaving the country?”
Roman looked at me with a smirk. “You catch on quick, Maisie. You're right. We are leaving the country and when we return…”
I swallowed when he stood in front of me.
“...our enemies won't know what hit them.” His smile widened.