Page 65 of Reckoning

“You think I don’t care about my sister, is that it? You think I don’t think she deserves justice?”

“She does deserve justice.” I snarl. She deserves a damned sight more than just that.

“She’s vulnerable.” Roman states. “Don’t take advantage of her, don’t create a situation that she might regret.”

“You think me capable of that? You think I would hurt her?” My fists curl and I’m itching to slam them into him, to silence the bullshit coming out of his mouth, but I doubt Sofia will thank me for it. I doubt she’ll think too kindly if she realises I’ve beaten the shit out of her brother and it certainly won’t endear her to me if I do. “It’s her decision.” I say. “Whatever she wants, whatever she chooses, I’ll abide by that. And I expect you to do the same.”

Oh I know she’ll choose me. I know it in my soul. And the way he looks right now, yeah he knows it too.

He opens his mouth like he wants to argue more but the sound of footsteps makes us both fall silent.

I look across to the doorway and she’s stood there, dressed in the same t-shirt the maid put her in. My t-shirt. Her dark hair is ruffled, she looks sleepy and yet so beautiful. Her cheeks are pink, she blinks, looking back at me, holding my gaze as she bites her lip and then Roman clears his throat. Loudly.

Her eyes widen as she realises he’s watching us. “What, what are you doing here?” She half-whispers.

“I had to check on you.” He replies. “After last night, I had to make sure you were okay.”

She lets out a sigh, walking over to where the bar stools are and she perches on the end as if this place is already her home. “I’m fine.”

“You killed a man.” Roman states.

“Two.” I correct him.

Roman looks at me then back at his sister. “Two?” He repeats.

Sofia huffs, leaning over to snag a piece of toast like we’re simply discussing the weather. I’ll admit I like her like this, relaxed, comfortable, at ease. My eyes drift to her exposed legs, to how fucking gorgeous she is. And then I notice the scars, the cigarette burns all up her arms. It’s hard not to react, not to show anything on my face.

“Sofia…” Roman begins like he’s about to lecture her.

“Come on.” She mutters. “You can hardly talk, not after the list of people you’ve done in.”

“That’s different.” Roman snaps.

“Is it?” She says tilting her head. “They all fucked you over. They all fucked our family over. How is this any different?”

“You know it is.” Roman says.

I shake my head, pouring out a third coffee. I don’t even know how she takes it. If she likes it milky, if she likes it sweetened. I put the mug in front of her and she smiles at me, sipping it, before I can grab the milk.

So she drinks it black, huh? Good to know.

Once she’s taken another mouthful she puts it down, fixing Roman with a determined look. “It’s only different because I was the one wielding the blade.” She states. “If it’d been you, if it’d been Ben, or Holden…”

“That’s not the issue.”

Sofia rolls her eyes. “You’re so concerned with Hastings, aren’t you?”

“He won’t turn a blind eye…”

“Relax.” I say. “We’ve sorted it. There’s no evidence. No witnesses. Hastings won’t even be aware anything went down.”

Roman narrows his eyes, staring at me, but I can feel Sofia’s look more. Like my body is tuned into every move she makes.

“You mean you won’t make an example?” Roman asks.

I shake my head, “Not this time.”

“Why not?”