Chapter 110 TICKING TIME BOMB

Chapter 110 TICKING TIME BOMB

••Luciana••

“You okay, Princess?” Roman murmured, his voice low as he squeezed my hand.

“Uh… yes,” I answered, though the lie felt heavy on my tongue.

“Okay, baby,” he said, giving me a small, reassured smile before he stepped forward.

I stood there for a moment, rooted to the spot, staring up at the gigantic Orlov estate. The golden gates, the grey stone, the guards standing at attention—it was all so familiar, yet it felt like a lifetime since I had last been here. 

Just like that, the nerves hit me all over again. Roman might have asked if I was okay, but the truth was, I wasn't. Not really.

I had gotten used to that private, slow-paced lifestyle during our vacation. I had gotten used to being just Luciana and Roman. 

Now, looking at this fortress, I felt a wave of anxiety. I was worried I wouldn't be able to settle back into this world of secrets and cold hallways.

More than that, I was terrified that Roman wouldn't have time for me anymore. In Mauritius, I was his world. Here, he belonged to the Orlov legacy.

Being in Mauritius, New York, and Paris had allowed us to connect on a deeper level. I knew that if we were going to last in this dangerous life, we needed to stay strong and be on the same page at all times. This trip had done exactly that, it had built a bridge between us. But as I crossed the threshold of the house, I wondered if that bridge was strong enough to survive the storm waiting for us inside.

The moment i entered the foyer, the peace was shattered. I could already hear voices raised in anger coming from the study.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Roman’s voice roared, echoing off the high ceilings.

I followed him toward the study, my heart hammering. Theo was there, standing defiantly in the middle of the room. The air was thick with tension and the smell of expensive tobacco. 

Roman didn't even take off his coat before he started exchanging a barrage of cursive words with Theo. It was a side of their relationship I rarely saw—the raw, unfiltered friction of two powerful men at odds.

“She’s not like that, Roman! You don’t know her!”

Theo shouted back, his face flushed. He was acting like a total lover boy, his voice thick with a desperation that seemed so out of place. He insisted he couldn’t leave the girl, that she was innocent in all the Serbian mess.

But Roman wasn't having any of it. He stepped into Theo’s space, his finger stabbing at the air. 
“I don't care if she’s a saint, Theo! You let her affect your responsibilities. You slacked! You lied! You put this entire family at risk for a girl who used to serve coffee to the people who want us dead!”

Roman was pained; I could see it in the way his jaw worked. He wasn't just angry about the security breach; he was hurt that his best friend, his brother, hadn't seen fit to inform him.

“I left you to handle things in my place, and you turned that chance to lick the legs of a Serbian maid, causing all these mess. You fool!”

“Keep her out of your mouth, and she’s not just a maid. I knew you were going to react this way, that’s why I kept it from you.” He dropped all those words at a time.

Roman was still pacing up and down. 

Then Theo dropped the bomb, “You are just like Don Lorenzo.”

If I said Roman was angry earlier now it became doubled. His eyes shone like fire.

“Say that again motherfucker. I dare you to say that again.” He shouted at him. 

I was planning on interrupting them before to make them stop, but now I just took a step backwards. I’ll not be the cane for them to beat each other.

The exchange went back and forth, getting louder and more aggressive. They were throwing insults and threats like they were nothing. I couldn't stand it. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.

“You’re thinking with your dick, Theo!” Roman bellowed.

“And you’re thinking like a tyrant!” Theo retorted.

“You’ll regret this.”

With that statement, Roman stormed out of the study, nearly knocking me over as he brushed past. I stood there for a second, looking at Theo, who was shaking with rage, before I turned and ran after my husband.

He went straight into our room, and sat down on the bed, his head buried in his hands.

I entered quietly, and sat beside him. I gently patted his back, allowing us have this moment of silence.

“Calm down baby.” I said softly, still patting his back.

“Can’t he just see what’s happening?” He asked.

“He’s just a man in love, Roman. He’s blinded to all other odds.”

“A man in love, when it’s clear this could lead to a war. We have enough going on than to add more enemies to the list.” He tried to explain, his voice raising.

But I understood even more than he said.

“Just give him time.” I said.

Then his anger flared and his aggression aimed at me, “Give him time, so things get more messy? Not now, Luciana! Just stay out of it!”

I recoiled, my own anger flaring up. “Don’t talk to me like that! I’m not the one you’re fighting with!”
He froze, his chest heaving as he stared at me.

The realization of what he’d done hit him slowly. He closed his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose, and let out a long, ragged sigh.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered, his voice dropping. “I’m sorry, Princess. I’m just… I’m on edge.
Everything is falling apart the second we step foot back in this country.”

“I know,” I said, softening my tone as I stepped closer. I put my hands on his chest, feeling the frantic beat of his heart. “But we promised to be a team. You can’t take it out on me.”

He looked down at me, the fire in his eyes dying down into something much softer, something hungrier.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him right there in the hallway. “You’re right. You’re always right. I missed the peace already.”

He leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “I need you, Luci. I need to forget about Theo and the Serbians for just five minutes.”

His hands began to move, sliding down to my hips, and I felt the familiar heat rising between us. 

I needed the connection just as much as he did. Our lips met in a fierce, desperate kiss, and for a second, the estate felt like our private villa again.
He started to lift my skirt, his breath hitching against my neck, and I was just about to lose myself in him when a sharp, shrill voice cut through the air.

“Luciana? It’s time for dinner. Luciana, can you hear me.” 

Shortly after, she knocked on our door. “Roman? Luciana?” She called out again.

We broke apart instantly. I smoothed my hair and sat up. “We’ve heard you Mildred.” I answered before she’ll break into the room.

“Oh, fuck!” Roman cursed under his breath, his hands dropping from my waist as he adjusted his jacket.

The vacation was officially over. We are back to the house, no more making out anywhere we wished.