For the first time since knowing him, she saw the age of his untold past weigh on him and a hint of its true weight came through.
“Why do you want to know? Planning on finding a few DOMS after work?” he teased.
Rhia fiddled with the end of her blouse, pulling at a small string at the corner. “My friend. Maya. You may know her.”
“I do,” he cut in. “Cute, spunky, and makes herself out to sound like a sex addict. She’s a wild card on the outside but I can sense her innocence.”
Holy shit. “Umm, yeah, that’s her. She’s a friend.”
He clasped her to him, his hands in her hair, stroking softly.
“Tell me about her.”
“I noticed odd markings on her thighs. At first, I thought it looked like fading restraint marks, but after what you said, I think I might be wrong. They were dark and looked like it took force to put them there.”
His expression turned grim. “I see. Where is she? Why didn’t you come to me or the others?”
“She refused.”
“Location, Seraphina. Where do we find her?”
“She’s missing, Roman. What if they’ve killed her? I have to find her. But I don’t know where to start.”
Roman’s head was already shaking in a negative response before she finished. “This is not something you can help with. You will not get in the middle of this. You understand me? You can’t get tangled up with this shit. I’ll handle it from here,” he commanded.
She pushed from his embrace. “You will not push me to the sidelines, Roman.”
“I will. Watch me.” A new kind of fear passed over him and left his face devoid of color for a brief moment. “Don’t push me on this. Or I can lock you in my basement until I know your friend is safe or her body found. You pick.”
Straightforward and to the point. She had to admit, she admired his determination to keep her safe.
“Besides, you need to focus on yourself right now. We still don’t know who or why someone decided to tear your house apart.”
True. But it still stung.
“You have my word, the men and I will look into it.” His eyes softened around the edges. Something she’d seen on him only a handful of times now that they practically lived together.
She had to keep her cool. “You’re right and thank you.” That didn’t mean she had to like what he said, but she did have a plan to put into motion tonight. Turning on her heel, she grabbed her keys and headed for the door, leaving Roman to lock up.