Song - Predictable - Delta Goodrem

Jas jostled Roman awake. His body shifting woke me from what had been an incredible sleep.

"There's someone at the door."

"Is this an issue?" I asked.

"Yeah," Roman responded. "No one ever makes unannounced visits to this place."

"Cameras?"

"I was about to go check them."

Roman quickly pulled clothes on and rushed down the stairs to the end of the kitchen, where he'd set up the security panel.

"Looks like a delivery."

"That holds so many questions, and I'm sure we won't like the answers," Jasper grumbled.

Roman pulled open a drawer and pulled out a gun, passing it to Jasper.

"Into the gym with you."

Jas took my hand, leading me away from the kitchen while Roman pulled out another gun. It was tucked into the back of his pants as he walked to the door. This wasn't good. Roman was preparing for the worst, meaning he thought it would play out that way.

Hearing nothing but the door open and clunk shut made me feel a little better, but naturally, I was still worried. Jas bit his nails, leaning against the door frame so he could see up the corridor. It wasn't much of a view, but it gave him something, I guess.

His eyes widened as the hand lowered. Jas frowned and lifted from the door frame, glancing at me for a moment.

"It's too quiet," he said.

I could hear footsteps, but they were soft, true to the way Roman crept through this place when he was stressed.

"You can come out now," Roman called out. "Everything's fine. Just a human with a flower delivery."

Jasper sighed heavily and then gave me a grim smile. I hadn't been here long enough to understand, but I could see the unexpected was unwelcome.

Jas and I raced to the kitchen, where a large bunch of black flowers were lying on the counter.

"They're for you. There's a card in there. I'm sure it's dark and ominous."

With a lot of trepidation, I pulled the envelope out and removed the card. I recognised the handwriting. It was Noah's.

Isabella = Roman

Marnie = Jasper

"It's a threat," I said, passing it to Roman.

"He's threatening us?" Jas said, leaning in to read it.

"Lover for lover, makes sense in his warped mind," Roman murmured.

He handed it back and wandered around the counter to start breakfast. My stomach was turning over at the thought of eating when Noah had just sent a threat to our front door, yet Roman seemed so calm about it.

I said nothing but could see an underlying statement with what Noah had written, one that neither seemed to have figured out. Marnie was the one he'd picked to become his wife, and in equalling Jasper to her, Noah was saying that if there was a choice to be made, I'd pick Jasper.

I couldn't say that it was true. Roman and I had our moments, but I guess Jasper and I had history. We've been friends for a couple of years. Roman and I did not have that kind of connection yet. Both had their pros and cons. I don't think I could pick if it came to that. As for my belief about what Noah was saying here, I could see why he would believe it. He said that Jasper had pined for me since the day he met me.

"Hey, a fraction off-topic, but how long have you wanted to be with me?"

Jasper grew silent, his lips parted, and it looked like he'd left his body. Roman grinned madly as he leaned on the counter and crossed his arms over the broad torso.

"Answer her. No lies, no secrets."

Jasper sighed.

"A while."

"I know that because you said it the night you first brought me here. Noah said something, and I'd like a little clarification. So, is there a time when you knew for certain?"

He shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"Dunno. Always, I guess. What did Noah say?"

"Called you a homewrecker that was constantly pining for me and wanted me from the day we met."

Roman chuckled.

"He's got you there."

"He also said you were whispering to Lucy and Tatum to drive a wedge between us."

"It's not true,"

Roman tilted his head with a raised eyebrow, which made Jasper roll his eyes.

"Okay, so maybe we gossiped."

The silent one was grinning like a loon.

"I wouldn't be giving him hell about it. Noah had an assessment about you, too."

The smile dropped, replaced with a scowl.

"He said that when Jasper figured out he was up to something, he demanded his precious lover intervene, that you're obsessed with Jasper, and happily destroy him and the agreement to keep Jas happy. So boys, how close to the mark did he get?"

"I'm not obsessed," Roman muttered tersely.

"Mm-hmm," I hummed. "Care to retract your statement about your brother?"

Roman huffed and then glared at me. "Stop calling him my brother."

"Were you aware that he knew about this place?"

"Yes, but no. It's only natural to assume he knows where I am. He probably had someone follow me."

"And this threat? Can I deal with Noah like I want to, or are you going to get sentimental about your brother?"

His head turned, and Roman glared at me. I smiled sweetly in return, fluttering my lashes at him.

"You know what? Go for it. You want me to support your actions, to stand behind you and weather the storm that is my father, then I say okay. Kill Noah. Take down Wyatt and Jordan. Destroy all the hunters. If you succeed, it will mean peace in this city for the first time in thirty years."

It was hard to believe that Roman had turned so suddenly. Even Jasper was silent as he stared at Roman.

"Seriously? You're okay with me killing, and yes, I'm going to say it again to ensure it hits hard, your brother."

"Clean the wax out of your ears. He's not my brother. We've never met, spoken, or even been in the same room as each other. I've heard my parents talk about Otis, and they agreed that his influence over Noah would be strong. I grew up thinking that my brother was a complete ass. Now that I've met you and know what he's done to you, I have confirmation of that. He deserves death on that alone but if we consider the threat that he's just delivered, then it's clear that he doesn't care about me. Why should I care about him?"

"Uh, the computer is flashing," Jas said.

Roman opened the messenger program where I'd chatted with Noah in my fake persona.

"How are the flowers, Milly?" Roman murmured. "Well, at least he's not outing her."

"You know why, right?"

"Of course. He's baiting you. The question you need to ask yourself is, do I let him? What's your plan here?"

"I don't know yet."

Sliding onto the stool, I thought about how to respond to Noah.

They're lovely.

I watched with impatience as the dots blinked, indicating that Noah was typing something. It was frustrating because I knew he could type quickly.

We should meet again. It must be my turn to tie you to the bed.

You'd like that, but I think we both know that rehashing old moves would be boring. How about something different?

Sounds intriguing, but will you be bringing your friends this time?

Maybe.

How about no? This should be between you and me, don't you agree? One final kiss goodbye before you leave for good.

Oh, darling, I wasn't planning on going anywhere.

"You are playing with fire," Roman grumbled. "Goading him like this is not a good idea."

"It won't make any difference. He'll still believe he has the bigger advantage. What he really wants is to get me alone, maybe to manipulate me into giving him something, maybe to kill me. There's nothing I can give him regarding information. I don't know anything he might want."

"So, keep it out in the open. Makes running easier."

"But so much more visible. No matter what I do, I will be walking into a trap. He might say this is between the two of us, but I know he will bring company."

"Not if he thinks he can manipulate you."

Jasper made a fair point. I wasn't going to trust Noah, though. He'd tried to kill me once. I guess I'd tried to kill him once, too. We were tied for our attempts. In our final battle, only one would walk away the champion. The other would be dead on the floor.