Chapter 15 15
Maisie's Pov
Instead of dissolving, the tension thickened hot and restless. My face turned red like an ember waiting for oxygen to fan it to life.
Mission to avoid blushing, failed.
To avoid looking at Roman's face, I turned my head and stared out the windshield.
I was supposed to be the cool, calm one who remained levelheaded no matter the situation but I couldn't stop feeling this strange warmth. The nerves scaling their way up my chest and into my throat didn’t help either.
What was wrong with me today? Why does Roman make me feel like this?
I couldn’t wait to get home.
“The foundation is doing well.”
The statement was thrown out so casually and unexpectedly that it took me several seconds to realize that someone had broken the silence and that someone was, in fact, Roman.
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
“The Aria Williams Foundation for Children?” He stopped at a red light. “It's doing well. We've had millions of donations in less than a month.”
Oh.
His words finally dawned on me and I smiled.
“Of course, it does.” I gave him a tentative smile now that the conversation was in safe, neutral territory.
After I left the country, I had Aria's funeral. It was a small and private one but at least, I got to give her a proper burial. When that was over, I started a charity organization dedicated to finding a cure for The Red Howl. After Aria's early demise, I believed no child should be lost to such deadly disease ever.
“Do you miss her?” he asked, starting the car again.
My cheeks warmed at the memory of Aria running through the Pack House and laughing. I responded with a small shrug. “Everyday. I really miss her.”
“She was a pretty little girl.” He smiled weakly.
I was taken aback by his statement. “Have you met her?”
“Once,” he flexed his arm. “at the Moonlight Festival. She got lost and asked for directions.”
“You were there that night?” I suddenly remembered that dreadful night. The same night Xavier chose Kylie and abandoned us. The same night I lost Aria.
After much hesitation, he finally replied. “Yes.”
I shifted in my seat and looked at him. “You knew who I was.”
He didn't answer.
“Why did you choose me for this?” I asked the question that had plagued my mind for days.
“You were the perfect person for the job.” he shrugged.
“That's not a straight answer, Roman. I'm not a child!” I snapped.
I’d been shocked when he’d proposed our current arrangement. It was a little suspicious because Aria had just died, Xavier had rejected me and Kylie had taken my place. It all sounded too good to be true.
Was it all a coincidence?
“It was a coincidence.” He replied as if reading my mind.
“But how did you know I could do it?” He could’ve collaborated with any powerful Alpha? Why me?
“I didn’t at first.” He smiled. “You told me you could and I had to take your word for it.”
“You don’t seem like someone who believes in anyone but themselves.”
Roman’s lack of sentimentality bled through in everything he did and wore. From the sharp lines of his suit, the calm precision of his words, the cool detachment of his gaze, he had the traits of someone who worshiped himself, logic and power and not believe in anyone much less a rejected Luna like me.
For some reason, he found my statement funny. “I believe in you more than you think.”
I blinked. He did?
Roman pulled into my apartment’s private garage and parked in a reserved spot near the back entrance.
We didn’t speak again as we passed through the entrance and into the lobby.
At six foot four, Roman had a good six inches on me, but I was still tall enough to match his long strides.
Our steps fell into perfect sync against the marble floors.
I’d never been one to be self-conscious about my height but with Roman around, I was.
We stopped by the bank of elevators and faced each other.
His shadow of a smile returned, all lazy charm and confidence. “Got any plans to visit Xavier tomorrow?”
An unexpected laugh escaped my throat. “Who would've thought I'd look forward to seeing someone again?”
He stopped closer now. “Neither did I.”
I wasn’t sure whether I owed my slight breathlessness to the cold lingering in my lungs or the full impact of standing so close to him.
I wasn’t interested in romance romantically. I wasn’t interested in anyone romantically; between the revenge plan and my job, I didn’t have time to even think about dating. But that didn’t mean I was immune to his presence.
Something flared bright in those grey eyes before it cooled. “Well, what will it be?”
The mild breathlessness transformed into something heavier that strangled my voice.
It’d been less than a minute since Roman’s question, but that minute had stretched so slow it might as well have been an eternity.
“Roman.”
A deep, slightly accented voice slashed the thread holding our suspended moment aloft.
Time snapped back to its usual cadence, and my breath expelled in one sharp rush before I turned my head.
The newcomer was tall, dark haired and had a rich olive skin. He wasn’t as classically good-looking as Roman, but he filled out the lines of his Italian suit with so much raw masculinity it was difficult to look away.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.” Dark hair flicked a glance in my direction.
I’d never been super attracted to older men, and he had to be in his mid to late thirties, but wow.
“Not at all. You’re right on time.” A hint of irritation hardened Roman’s otherwise smooth reply. He stepped in front of me, blocking me from the newcomer's view and vice versa.
The other man raised an eyebrow before his mask of indifference fell away to reveal a smirk.
He stepped around Roman, so deliberately it was almost like he was taunting him, and held out his hand.
“Cole Anderson.”
I looked at Roman and he gave me a nod.
The reason I asked for his approval was because only a few people knew about my true identity and as such, I only used my alibi to those outside the circle that knew. Roman approving of my telling this man says quite a lot.
“Maisie Williams.”
I expected him to shake my hand, but to my surprise, he raised it and brushed his mouth across my knuckles instead.
Coming from anyone else, it would’ve been cheesy, but a tingle of pleasure erupted instead. Who was this man?
Cole straightened up and smiled. “I've heard so much about you, Maisie. I'm Roman's Beta.”
Oh, that explains it.
“It’s Maisie, Cole.” Roman corrected in a voice sharp enough to cut through bone. “I believe you were here to remind me about our meeting?”
Cole appeared unfazed. His hand lingered on mine for an extra second before he finally released it.
“It was lovely to meet you, Miss Williams. I’m sure I’ll see you around again.” His rich drawl contained a hint of laughter.
I suspected his amusement was directed not at me but toward the man watching us with ice in his eyes.
“Thank you. It was nice meeting you too.” I almost smiled at Cole but something told me that wouldn’t be a smart move right now. “Have a good night.”
I glanced at Roman. “Good night, Roman. Thank you for the ride.”
His face softened for just a fraction of a second.“Good night, Maisie.”
Okay, then.
I left Roman and Cole in the lobby and took the elevator up to my apartment.
I didn’t know what had caused Roman’s sudden mood shift, but I had enough worries of my own without adding his to the mix.
After several minutes of searching, my hand closed around my key and I inserted it into the lock.
I'd barely turned it when a chill suddenly swept over my skin.
My head jerked up and I turned around.
There was no other sign of life in the hall.
I entered my apartment and shut the door.
Even as I peeled off my clothes and settled for dinner, a small part of me couldn’t shake the sense that my gut had been right and that someone had been watching me in the hall.