Page 112 of Forgive Me Father

“You know, when he’s with you, it’s like he has a soul,” Zoey smiles.

“What do you mean?” I ask, curious.

“When he’s with you, Eden, he looks at you like you’re the reason the Earth turns. It’s as if your time together has changed his perspective on life.”

As I reflect on Roman’s earlier words about leaving his priesthood, a thought lingers. Did I give him a reason to see life differently, to see it as more than a battle?

“Though I have to admit, he’s quite the looker,” Zoey whispers. “Can’t say I’m not curious about how he is in bed.”

“Let’s just say I need a day to recover after he’s finished with me—”

“Hey there,” A gravelly voice interrupts, causing both Zoey and me to turn toward a group of middle-aged men lingering near the cider station.

Ignoring them, we keep moving.

“Isn’t that the girl from that asshole’s phone?” One of the men says, raising immediate alarm bells in my mind.

Keep walking, Eden. Just keep walking.

But one of the men grabs my arm, yanking it painfully as my drink shatters on the ground.

His gaze lingers over my scars before settling on my face. “Couldn’t see all those scars in the photo, but damn, you do have a pretty face—”

“Get your fucking hands off her!” Zoey yells, shoving the man away and wrapping her arms around me.

“Zoey, let’s just go—”

But the other two men move in, blocking our path and encircling us like vultures.

“Yeah, that’s definitely her. Same pretty eyes and pink lips,” The man in front of me hisses, stepping closer. “Where’s your boyfriend now? You look a lot more appealing when he isn’t slamming my head into a wall,” He sneers, a fresh scar on his forehead.

“Boyfriend?” I ask, horrified. “Did Roman hurt you?”

“He did a lot more than hurt me. He humiliated me and my friends,” He snaps, nodding toward his companions.

The men behind us grab us, their fingers tightening around our waists as we struggle, causing a commotion that draws attention from bystanders who begin to record the scene.

“I think it’s only fair we return the favor—”

Before I can react, Roman and Aiden burst into the scene. Roman’s dark hair and Aiden’s curly locks are visible as they drag the men away, beating them mercilessly. The crowd watches, many recording, as Roman pummels one of the men into unconsciousness and then turns to the next.

When Roman goes after the second man, Aiden steps in, trying to keep up with the fight. Roman, now focused on the man holding me, draws a switchblade. The man presses the knife against my lower back, his hand tightening around my throat.

“How does it feel to be so vulnerable, hm, Roman?” The man taunts, using the name I provided.

Roman hands Zoey off to Aiden and raises his hands in a gesture of surrender.

Fair security finally arrives, with Aiden briefing them as Roman tries to reason with the man.

“Grab that fucking gun, and I’ll make sure she never walks again,” The man threatens, gripping my throat tighter.

Roman’s gaze is intense, clearly searching for a solution as the onlookers, including churchgoers, watch the standoff.

“Your issue is with me, not her. Surely you’re man enough to put that knife to my back—”

“Why would I do that?” The man sneers, digging the knife deeper into my skin. “Her pain sounds so nice. Almost as nice as the look on your face.”

The crowd watches, some recording, as Roman attempts to draw the man’s attention away from me.