Page 34 of Dance of Defiance

She bursts out laughing. “Pot, meet kettle. Rome, are you serious right now?”

“Ha-ha,” I mutter darkly, keeping her flute and taking a big gulp from it.

Evie gives me a pouty look. “Fine. Be a jerk. I’ll just get my date to grab me another glass.Someof us actually want to havefunat this?—”

“I’m sorry, what?” I growl, my eyes narrowing. “Date?”

“Me, date. You, Roman. Where Tarzan?”

It's deliberately extra gruff and cartoony, but there’s no mistaking the voice behind me.

…Because that fucking voice has taken up permanent residence in my head since it growled filth into my ear the other night.

In the woods.

As the owner of the voice held me down and rolled his hips against mine.

But right now, I’m not actually thinking about the war I’ve been having with myself regarding that voice, and those hands, and the man to whom they belong. I’m not thinking while simultaneously tryingnotto think about the way his touch sent electricity sparking through every dark, secret corner of my being, or how mortifyinglyhardI got that night.

I’m only thinking one thing: that the motherfucker who sent those fucking messages to my goddamn sister, and called her a little slut, and wanted tomeet her in the fucking woodsthat night, isVal.

…And currently standing in front of me, as said sister’s fuckingdate.

No, I’m not reminding myself how straight I am right now. I’m debating ripping his fucking head off.

Evie slips around me and cozies right up to Val, making pure murder explode through my veins.

“Val was sweet enough to cancel his plans tonight to help fend off all Dad’s creepy friends trying to offer me marriage to their sons. Wasn’t that nice of?—”

“I’m getting another drink,” I grit out through clenched teeth. My eyes narrow dangerously on the motherfucker standing next to my sister. “Why don’t youcome with me.”

Val’s brows lift. “I…think I could do that?”

“Don’t be long,” Evie groans, looking around. “The sharks are circling.”

Fury emanates from me like toxic radiation as I all but shove my way through the crowd. I can feel the fucker following me as I reach the other end of the ballroom and then stalk down a hallway, away from the festivities.

“I think the bar is back?—”

Val grunts as I suddenly whirl, grab him by the throat, and shoulder my way into the library. I yank him after me, slamming the door shut. Shadows and moonlight glint across my snarling face as I shove him backward into a shelf, bristling with rage as I close my other hand to a fist.

“What the?—”

“What thefuckis your game, motherfucker?!” I snarl, teeth clenched, hand tight around his throat, fist raised.

Val just smiles, arching a brow. “Well, you’re sure shaping up to be a fun?—”

I tug him forward and then slam him against the books at his back.

“WithEvie, you fuck!”

A look of utter confusion spreads across his face, his smile dropping. “What?”

My eyes burn into his. “Stay the fuck away from my goddamn sister, or so help me God, I’ll?—”

“What thefuckare you talking about!?” he hisses back. “Evie is myfriend.”

I bark a laugh. “Try again, motherfucker.”