Page 66 of Bound By Blood and Lies
The disgust I feel toward myself burns just as fiercely as the rage. The blood running through my veins suddenly feels contaminated, like something dark has always been there and I’ve just been too blind to see it. All the violence I’ve spent years trying to control, trying to bury beneath discipline and restraint, suddenly feels closer than it ever has before. Familiar. Like maybe this is the part of me that was always meant to win.
Fae doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t step back or shrink away from the anger pouring out of me. Instead, she takes more carefulsteps forward and lifts her hands slowly as if she’s approaching a wounded animal that might bolt.
“You’re not him,” she says quietly.
A harsh laugh rips out of me and I drag both hands down my face as I try to steady the chaos spinning inside my head. The rest of the room fades to the edges of my awareness whilst my focus locks entirely on her.
“Really?” I bite out. “Because the blood running through my veins says otherwise.”
“Roman—”
“No,” I snap, pacing away from her again. “He did this in my house, Fae. My fucking house. The place I grew up. The place I brought my friends to for Christmas dinners and birthdays and stupid family barbecues in the garden.” My voice cracks despite my best effort to keep it steady.
“He chained you to a bed there.” I drag in a breath that doesn’t quite reach my lungs. “And you’re standing there telling me I’m not him?”
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”
“You don’t understand,” I mutter as I shake my head and my eyes drop to the floor.
“No,” she says softly. “You don’t.”
My head snaps up as she moves closer. I can see the bruising still covering her skin and the shadows under her eyes that weren’t there a month ago.
“Your dad helped hurt me,” she says quietly. “I’m not pretending he didn’t.”
I scoff.
“But you…” Her voice steadies as her eyes lock onto mine. “You’re the one who sits up all night making sure I’m breathing. You’re the one who takes it on your shoulders so I don’t have to feel it. You’re the one who loses control trying to protect people, not hurt them.”
I shake my head, but she keeps stepping closer.
“You think your DNA makes you the same as him? Then what does that make me? Huh?” Her voice sharpens. “The blood in my veins comes from a monster too. So what, we’re just doomed to turn into them? Should we all just give up now?”
Her voice softens as she shakes her head. “No, Ro, it doesn’t work like that. You see, when the nightmares hit me, it’s you I run to. Not from. That’s the difference.”
I walk back toward the armchair slowly, aware of every pair of eyes in the room following me.
“But what if I am?” My legs give out beneath me, and I slump into the chair, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees.
“You’re nothing like your dad, sweet boy,” my mum’s voice carries softly across the room and my breath catches in my throat as I keep my gaze locked on the floor.
“You chose love over duty, Roman,” she continues gently. “And so do I.”
My head flicks up. She’s standing in front of me, her shoulders drawn back, and her chin lifted high like this revelation hasn’t just shattered our lives. My strong, beautiful mum. The woman who walked into hell tonight and brought the love of my life home… whilst losing her own in the same breath.
I’m a shitty son.
“Mum, I’m—” She lifts her hand, cutting me off before the words can leave my mouth.
“I know, sweet boy,” she says quietly. “I know.”
The air leaves my lungs in a slow breath, and I notice Fae moving toward me again. I lean forward immediately and pull her into my arms, holding her tightly in front of me. My hands land on her hips and my forehead presses against her stomach.Against our baby.
“So, what now?” Riggs mutters into the silence.
I look down at my hands wrapped around Fae before lifting my gaze toward the front door. Only an hour ago I promised her no one would ever hurt her again. Promised her I would protect her and the child growing inside her no matter what it cost.
And I meant it.
