Page 59 of Forgive Me Father

Roman’s gaze remained fixed on Luca, his voice a deadly whisper. "Get back in your car and leave. Now."

"Roman—"

"No, it’s fine, Eden," Luca says, his voice steady but laced with anger. "I think it’s time foryouto leave instead Father Briar. You’re out here, stalking her like some creep—"

Roman lunges at Luca like a predator, grabbing his shirt and slamming him against the side of the truck. Roman’s eyes burn with a wild fury, his grip unyielding.

"I said get back in your fucking car," Roman growls, his voice low and dangerous. "Before I rip your limp dick off and shove it down your throat." My hands pull at Roman's shirt, desperate to break his hold on Luca.

"Roman, leave him the hell alone!" I shout, but he doesn’t even flinch.

"Fuck you, you crazy bastard!" Luca chokes out, struggling in Roman’s grasp. Roman’s hand coils around Luca’s throat, his expression nothing short of madness.

"Last warning," Roman hisses, watching as Luca’s face turns red and he gasps for air.

"Roman, stop!" I scream, hitting his back, my voice breaking with panic. "I’ll go with you, just let him go!" I yell, my words finally cutting through the haze of rage in Roman’s eyes. His body goes rigid, as if realizing that I’m still here.

Slowly, Roman releases Luca, who collapses to the ground, clutching his throat and coughing. I shove Roman aside, kneeling beside Luca, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Just go," I whisper, my voice trembling. "I’ll be fine. Please, just go." I glare at Roman, the disappointment in my eyes sharper than any words could be. "Are you fucking happy now?"

As I help Luca to his feet, he tries to pull me with him, concern etched across hisface.

"I have to go with him," I murmur, fabricating a lie on the spot. "Or else my dad will do something worse." The truth—that Roman might kill him if I stay—lodges like a stone in my throat.

Luca looks conflicted, his eyes flicking between me and Roman, who stands by his car, jaw clenched tight.

"Just go home, Luca, please. I’ll be fine," I sigh, forcing my hands to unclench. "I should never have dragged you into my mess," I apologize, watching as he slowly nods, his expression a mix of hurt and confusion.

"Yeah," He whispers, his voice strained. "Maybe they were right about you."

His words hit me like a sucker punch, leaving me breathless as he turns and climbs into his truck. The engine roars to life, and he drives off, a cloud of dust swirling around me, thick and suffocating.

I turn back to Roman’s car, anger simmering just below the surface of my skin.

If he wants to push his way into my life...

Fine.

Let’s see how deep into the madness he’s willing to go.

Chapter 16

Eden

Roman slams his door shut, glancing out his driver’s side window, his heater blasting to fight off the cold. Watching Luca’s truck disappear into the night, his parting words still sting, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Have fun?” Roman sneers.

I scoff. “You’re a fucking asshole,” I whisper. “I’m not your property, Roman—”

“Tell me, were you thinking about me while you had those pretty lips on his worthless cock?” Roman growls, his knuckles white as he grips the steering wheel.

“Is that what this is about?” I snap, crossing my arms defensively. “You’re mad because someone else touched me—”

“Or maybe you thought of me when he was kissing you,” Roman interrupts, turning to face me. The bruising around his eye is stark, his knuckles bloodied, his entire demeanor rough and unhinged. “No, that can’t be the case,” He adds, sliding his hand under the hoodie and between my thighs. I can’t help butopen my legs for him as he moves to my waistline, the touch sending a spark through me.

He dips his fingers beneath my swimsuit bottoms, palming my pussy as he spreads my folds and swipes his middle finger over my clit. I gasp as he removes his hand as quickly as he’d put it there. “You’re not even wet,” He mutters, his voice laced with disdain. My mind scrambles, body reeling, but no words come.