Page 46 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Cecilia

Roman holds me to his chest while sitting on my bed. He rocks me in his arms while whispering soothing words until I finally collect myself.

“I’m sorry for being such a mess. I know it could’ve been worse. I was just really scared,” I tell him, my voice rough from the crying.

“No, sunshine. This was a traumatic experience. You have every right to react how you are. I should’ve announced myself when I entered. I’m sorry I didn’t. I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner.” His grip on me tightens as he says it.

“Roman, it’s not your fault someone broke in,” I tell him. His breathing halts for a second before he leans down and kisses the top of my head. “I’m just ready to put this behind me.”

He coughs awkwardly. “Umm, about that…” He sighs. “He messed up your apartment pretty badly. The place is trashed. I’m really sorry, sunshine. I know how much you love it here.”

My heart breaks further. All the things Gracie and I spent years collecting, using our last pennies to buy, the memories spent together… all of them are gone. Broken. Destroyed.

“How… how bad is it?” I hesitate, hoping beyond belief everything is salvageable.

“He must’ve been high. The place is destroyed. I don’t think you’ll be able to live here. Hell, I don’t even think you’ll get your security deposit back.”

Tears well in my eyes again. I don’t know how it’s even possible with how much I’ve cried.

The front door opens again, and I feel nauseous. What now? Who could it possibly be?

Roman stands and gently sets me on the bed.

“No! Please don’t go!” I beg him, not wanting to risk him.

“I’ll be okay, Cecilia. I promise. Lock the door behind me.” He kisses the top of my head, pushes some hair behind my ears, and approaches my bedroom door.

We hear two sets of footsteps throughout the apartment.

Roman pulls a gun from under his jacket and holds it at eye level, as I’ve seen them do in Gracie’s crime documentaries.

Roman opens the door silently, shuts it behind him, and takes off.

“POLICE! DROP THE GUN!” a woman shouts from the living room.

“I’m Cecilia’s boyfriend, not the robber.

I got here about eight minutes ago, and he was already gone.

Cecilia is in her room on her bed. She can confirm.

I’m lowering my weapon now, but you’re not going to be putting handcuffs on me.

” Roman’s voice bleeds through the walls.

It’s strong and firm. He knows what he’s doing.

But what is he doing? You can’t just tell officers not to arrest you. I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works.

“Cecilia, it’s just the cops. Come out of your room, please, sunshine,” Roman instructs carefully.

I rush out, not wanting to find him detained because he’s bossing the officers around.

“I’m Cecilia. I’m the one who called. This is my apartment. That’s my boyfriend, Roman. He just got here. The robber is gone. It’s okay–” I halt abruptly as I take in my surroundings.

Our coffee table is broken. Our couch is ripped up along with the armchairs, the ones Gracie and I brought from an estate sale.

Our TV is shattered. I turn to the kitchen.

Our cabinets hang off the wall. Our ceramic dish set that we thrifted is broken, shards sprinkle around the kitchen like diamonds.

Everywhere I look, remnants of my once homey apartment lay destroyed and unsalvageable.

My whole life, everything I own, is wrecked.

“Miss? We need to get your statement,” the woman officer who must be in charge tells me. But I can’t move.

Roman crosses the room in three strides and pulls me to his chest, crushing me into him.

“She’ll talk when she’s ready,” he growls at them.

“Miss, we need a statement now. We have other places to be, and since there is no longer an active threat, we can get going once a statement is made.” She flashes me a tight smile, and I can tell she means well.

“Okay. I’ll tell you what happened.”

And I do.

I tell them everything. And they ask questions along the way. I’m not much help since I didn’t see his face or anything distinguishing, but they don’t make me feel bad. Well, except for the other officer’s scowl.

“How do we know there was even a robber?” he hisses out, his hard eyes bearing into mine.

“Oh… Uhh… I’m not sure what you’re asking.” My faces pinches in confusion, because… what?

“He’s implying that you trashed your own place for insurance money,” Roman seethes.

“Listen here, fucker. If Cecilia says there was an armed man that broke in, then there was an armed man. She’s the sweetest soul.

She would never break her own things. She wouldn’t break anyone’s things. And she wouldn’t lie.”

“I’m sure your girlfriend is the greatest woman around.” He rolls his eyes. “But we have to be the ones to determine it.”

“Officer Evans!” the woman officer hisses.

“I’m just doing the job, Officer Nguyen,” he responds, his voice dripping in condescension.

“And you’ll do your job without blaming the victim,” Officer Nguyen orders him.

“I don’t understand. Why would I break my things, just to ask for money? I don’t even have insurance on this place,” I explain, still confused. “Unless my health insurance covers the cost?” I glance up at Roman for the answer.

He sighs and drops a kiss on my hair.

“No, sunshine. Health insurance is different than renter’s insurance. How did you rent this place without insurance? I’m pretty sure it’s illegal not to have renter’s insurance.”

“I don’t know. I think we opted out.” I try to recall the lease Gracie and I signed over a year ago.

Officer Nguyen comes to me and hands me her business card.

“Call me if you need anything or remember anything. We have another call to get to.” She starts to walk away, then turns back to me.

“Cecilia, I would advise against staying here. Not only is the building itself not safe, but also, with the condition this unit is in, I wouldn’t recommend it.

And while in my professional opinion I don’t think the robber will return, we can never be sure. ”

With those caring yet troubling words, she and her partner leave.

“Roman, I don’t have anywhere to go. I only have enough money saved to stay in a hotel for a few nights. But I… I don’t think I can stay here. It’s just, every time I close my eyes, I’m back in that closet, fearing for my life.” I look up at him, tears welling once again. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Sunshine, you can stay with me as long as you need. Don’t worry about it for even a second. In fact, I’d love for you to move in permanently. Not only so I can always keep you safe, but also because I love you, and I hate going days without seeing you.” His voice shines with hope.

He pulls me in for another hug, and new tears form. Tears of gratitude.

I think about it and realize it’s the perfect solution. We’re happy together. And while I never saw myself living with a man until marriage, this is an extenuating circumstance. And I can’t deny that around Roman is the only place I’ll feel safe.

“Thank you so much, héroe. I can’t tell you what this means to me. You really are my hero. Saving me every time.” I lean up and kiss him on the lips.

He leans down to meet mine and pulls me in. The kiss is sweet and comforting. It feels like home.

“Let’s pack up your things and bring them to my place. You don’t need to be here any longer,” he kindly suggests.

We do just that, then head downstairs to his car.

The entire drive home, he wears a victorious grin, and I can’t help but smile at it.

Maybe something beautiful did come out of this.

Now I don’t have to live alone.

And now, I’ll be with my hero always.