Page 118 of Reckoning

Every time I see that image flash up I cringe. It’s bad enough that those events happened, bad enough that I lived through it but for the entirety of Verona to watch, to gawp, to revel in it. I know they have no idea what they’re seeing but it feels like a dagger tearing right into me.

Roman calls. But of course he does. I can’t even face talking to him so Tia takes it, answering his questions patiently.

My lawyers call as well. They go off about how this won’t help the case, like that’s where my head is at. Like I really care two shits about the damned legal battle I’m still embroiled in.

I’ve shut down my social media. Shut down every account. Tia put a statement up saying I’d been hacked and that those images were not real. I don’t think anyone believes it but at this stage I just don’t care.

Maybe if I lay low for a few years, just hide out here, eventually everyone will forget that Sofia Montague even exists.

When the buzzer on the gate goes, the whole house seems to stiffen. I can hear half the security team reacting.

And then Rose walks through the front door, her eyes searching for me amongst what feels like an army of men Koen left to protect me.

“What, what are you doing here?” I stammer.

She gives me a look that says it all and shakes her head slightly. “Did you expect me just to take Roman’s word for it that you’re okay?” She asks.

“You didn’t have to come.” I say quickly.

She huffs, putting her hands on her hips and that tiny bump pokes out under her clothes. She’s definitely noticeable now. I bet she had to fight Roman to be allowed out.

“You’re my sister-in-law.” She states. “And even if you weren’t, I would still be here.”

Tia mutters about making tea and she disappears off down to the kitchen while Rose and I settle in the living room.

It’s north facing, shaded, with a massive fireplace and two huge corner couches that face one another. The fire is crackling merrily away and as we sit down it feels so cosy despite the situation.

“How are you?” Rose asks.

“Could be better.”

She snorts. “I know that feeling.”

“Koen is out.” I don’t know why I said that but it feels like I need to explain his absence.

She nods, glancing around. “I’ll admit his house is far more homey that I imagined it to be.” She says and that makes me laugh.

“What did you imagine?” I ask.

“Oh, I don’t know,” She grins. “Maybe rifles up on all the walls. Skulls above the hearth, that sort of thing.”

“He’s not a psycho.” I gasp.

She laughs more. “Well, you would know better than me, Sofia.”

Tia walks in, placing the tray down, acting like she’s some sort of waitress and, though we ask her to stay, she makes an excuse before disappearing off.

“How is it here?” Rose asks, “Is it better, do you feel happier being here?”

I shrug. “I feel more grounded. I can’t explain why but I do.”

“Sure it doesn’t have anything to do with a certain tattooed hunk?”

I shoot her a look before making a show of pouring out the tea. Hers is decaf and she pulls a face as she sips it, complaining that you can taste the difference.

I’d personally rather have coffee but I’m not going to be so rude as to state that when Tia was kind enough to make this.

“You look better. You look healthier.” Rose says running her eyes over me. “You look more like the old you.”