My Roman: Boys on the Hill, #1 An

Enemies to Lovers College Romance

Rose Croft [Croft
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 My Roman
Copyright © 2020 by Rose Croft. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical
means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission
from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Resemblance to actual persons, things, living or dead, or events is entirely coincidental.

Cover Design: Bex Harper Designs

Formatter: Integrity Formatting
 From the author of The Mendoza Family Series comes a new
college/NA enemies-to-lovers romance. Welcome to Hillside U and
meet the alpha boys who rule it.

𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧
She’s both a liar and a thief.
But she’s in my world now
She can run, but she can’t hide
Hope she’s ready to play...

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐚
Hillside University was supposed to be my fresh start.
Unfortunately, karma had other plans, the night I ran into Roman
Martinez again.
Football star. Popular. Wealthy.
The boy who’d once captured my heart ⁣was now set out to make
me his pawn.
Good luck with that.
He would learn that I wouldn’t bow so easily.
Once upon a time, I was living my fairy tale with my knight in
shining armor.
Now I knew fairy tales were just pipe dreams cloaked in false hope
and dipped in deception.
 Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
 Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Epilogue
Playlist
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Other Books by Rose Croft
Excerpt: Cabezon
 To Rose’s Buds
The best team a girl could ask for.
 Prologue
Three Years Ago

Roman Martinez—Age 18

It’s funny how the line between love and hate could disintegrate in a
hot minute. In my lifetime, I’d never really felt either until recently.
Never show emotion. Never give away your hand, son. Only fools
and pathetic saps gave into feelings. Besides, words like “love” and
“hate” were only stupid ideologies that poets and idiots needed to
put a label on to justify weaknesses. That was the Robert Martinez
school of thought, and my brother and I had his words ingrained in
our head from an early age.
I threw back the remaining contents of my cognac. Well, my
dad’s cognac (but whatever, semantics) and perched over my
father’s wall-to-wall office windows staring at the two blond women,
mother and daughter, walking outside. My eyes were drawn to the
younger one. Even at a distance, I caught how the sunlight glinted
off her long, light blond hair. I knew the locks felt like spun silk as it
threaded through my fingers. I always loved to touch her hair or put
a stray strand behind her ears.
Even now as she strode down the sidewalk, she held her head
high with a suitcase in one hand and duffel bag strapped over her
shoulder. After living here for almost eight years, she’d been kicked
out of the kingdom. She came from nothing and unfortunately would
end with nothing. Well, except for a paltry sum of money my father
was forced to pay.
 “She is quite beautiful, isn’t she?” my brother Antoni said in
polite disinterest. He was sixteen and followed our father’s lead to a
tee. He even had Robert’s mannerisms down to an art with his
casual stance and arms crossed negligently across his chest. “I bet
she was quite a fuck, too.”
I clenched the snifter in my hand tighter but said nothing.
Depraved. You are depraved, and an embarrassment, Roman. You
fell for the trap. Why can’t you be more like Antoni? My father’s
words from a few days ago quenched my fury.
I could only blame myself, but I could blame her as well. She
could’ve had it all. She could’ve been my queen. But not now.
“Tell me, hermano, how was she? Was her pussy as tight as I’d
imagined?”
“Shut up.”
“Did she tell you how much she loved you before or after she
stabbed you in the back?”
“Antoni,” I growled and soon pain lanced my palm and fingers,
followed by the obnoxious sound of crystal shattering on Travertine
tile.
“Careful.” My brother raised his eyebrows in mild interest as he
pointed at the crushed glass nestled in my hand. Blood seeped from
my skin, dripping on the floor. “You could get an infection.”
“Then it’s nothing less than I deserve, right?” Although a
smarter man would’ve tried to stop the bleeding, I didn’t. Instead, I
stood frozen in place, gazing outside as I watched the pretty little
liar follow her mother into the back seat of a black sedan that would
take them away permanently. Despite my newfound animosity, I still
fought my so-called vulnerable emotions. I would kill those feelings.
She ruined it all. However, along the way, she ruined me too.
 Present

Theodora Daniels

It’s been said that one moment can change your life completely. I
thought I’d already experienced that moment a few years ago.
However, it seemed like fate was a raging, vengeful bitch that
cloaked itself in the form of a six three dark-haired, brooding devil
with no heart. Well, fuck me. If only I’d been warned. If only I could
hit reset on the night I would see him again. If only I could forget
him altogether. Before I get into all that, let me back up a bit.
I was eighteen and embarking on a new chapter in my life being
the first week as a freshman on campus at Hillside University. It was
a private school settled in the ragged beauty of the hill country in
central Texas. Thus, the reason people called it the college on the
hill. I’d been so excited for the day to finally come when I could
move into my dorm room. That’s not to say I didn’t feel a case of
nerves and a little self-conscious because I’d arrived here alone with
all my clothes and sheets crammed in a plastic trash bag and a
pillow nestled in the crook of my arm while I leaned against the door
of my old, beat-up Corolla taking in the scenery. Students fluttered
around me with moving boxes in their arms and their parents
hovering around them as they trounced in and out of the residence
hall.
Squaring my shoulders, I made my way to the open doors.
Trudging through the packed hallway on the second floor, I passed
by two girls gushing about rush week and the sororities they were
considering. This was probably the fifth time I’d heard the mention
of fraternities and sororities in the span of ten minutes making my
way to my room. Rushing for a sorority would probably be a great
idea considering I was somewhat of a shy person, but that was an
extra expense I couldn’t afford. To be honest, I didn’t know if I was
sorority material. Even if I were accepted into one, I would’ve stuck
out like a sore thumb.
I stopped in front the open door to my left and saw a lanky girl
with pale skin and red hair swept up in a bun setting something on a
desk. She glanced over at me and grinned widely. “Are you
Theodora?”
“Yes. Kenzie?”
“Uh-huh?” She nodded and squealed pulling me into the room.
“Yes. This is your side of the room, and this is my side. I swear I’ve
been here for like six hours. Can you believe it? Six hours trying to
set up my room. And these are my parents.” She spoke a mile a
minute and introduced her mother and father who both greeted me
as I blushed in embarrassment feeling like an orphan without my
mother here.
“Are your parents here too?” Kenzie’s mom asked glancing over
my shoulder.
I shook my head setting my things aside. “My mother couldn’t
make it. She just had back surgery and is still recovering.”
“Oh honey. Do you need help unloading your things from the
car?”
“No, but thank you.” Luckily, she didn’t press. I also didn’t miss
the glance of concern she threw her husband’s way. Kenzie’s family
probably came from wealth. I shouldn’t make assumptions, but I
noticed the two matching Louis Vuitton purses draped over the
nearby chair. I’d been around enough rich people for several years to
sense the aura and scent of the privileged like the back of my hand.
The truth was, you had to have money to go to a private
university, and this was one of the most prestigious in the state. Or
receive a scholarship, like I did. Even with a full ride that didn’t cover
all the expenses I would encounter. My mother didn’t have any extra
money to spare since she’d injured herself in a car wreck and had to
have back surgery. Furthermore, she’d been out of work for almost
the whole past year and draining her savings with all the medical
expenses. I’d spent the past year picking up any work I could find to
help out which wasn’t much in the scheme of things, but it was
something at least.
“Let me help you set up,” Kenzie offered with a friendly smile
and after spending the next hour getting to know them, I began to
relax. With their help, I converted my space into a cozy, inviting
area. I glanced over at Kenzie’s side. It looked like Chip and Joanna
Gaines had stepped in to renovate. All that was missing were some
fresh-baked cookies and shiplap paneling.
Soon after Kenzie’s parents said their tearful goodbye, my new
roommate slid her arm through mine and said, “This is going to be
the best year ever.” And so began a fun-filled beginning with a new
friend.
As the weekend approached all was going great so far. Kenzie
convinced me to go to a party at one of the fraternity houses. Since
it was rush week, these places were like open houses where
everyone could get in. That’s what Kenzie told me at least, and she
seemed like an expert on social activities in college. She too was one
of many pledging for a sorority.
“Let me do your hair and make up,” Kenzie said dabbing her lips
as she glanced at her phone.
I eyed her with skepticism. “Why?” I’d donned a casual floral
sundress with spaghetti straps and flip-flops. It was late August so I
thought I looked summery and it was comfortable. Kenzie had just
put the final touches on her makeup and was still sitting around in a
tank and leggings.
“Come on, Theo. It will be fun. I promise you’ll like the end
result.”
 Obviously, she was not impressed with my current look. “Okay.”
I shrugged. I wasn’t an expert on hair and make-up by any means.
For that matter, I’d never had girlfriends who I’d hung out with or
had sleepovers. I’d lived a very lame life in high school with the
exception of my freshman year.
After thirty minutes of her making up my face and fixing my
hair, I must say I was impressed.
“You’re gorgeous, Theo. You just need to own it.”
I tilted my head as she’d already rushed off to her closet.
“Here, wear this.” She held out a hunter green tube dress,
laughing when I raised an eyebrow. “Trust me. You will look good in
this.”
“Okay,” I conceded and went to the bathroom to change.
“You’re such a little prude,” she teased behind me as I closed
the door. Try being humiliated in a girl’s locker room, I thought. That
will damn near traumatize you and make you self-conscious.
The dress was very fitted, and I yanked down on the hem to
mid-thigh, I’d never worn anything this nice before. I saw the eight-
hundred-dollar price flash before me when she ripped the tag off
and handed me the dress. She’d never even worn it. She had a
closetful of clothing, while I’d scrimped and saved my money to buy
the few dresses I had.
“Maybe I shouldn’t wear this,” I said as I stepped from the
bathroom.
Kenzie had on a black mini dress that crossed over one shoulder
and was strapping on heels. She glanced up and broke out into a
Cheshire cat grin. “You look amazing, and yes, you are wearing it.”
“But—”
She stood up and took my hands in hers. “Look, Theo, you are
wearing it. Tonight we’re going to work on getting you out of that
shell.”
 I tilted my head. “Are you playing the role of fairy godmother,
and I’m Cinderella?” I joked, but I was kind of serious.
She must’ve picked up on my tone. “No Theo,” she said quietly.
“Please. Don’t think that. I don’t ever want to overstep my
boundaries. I’m not trying to be superficial and say that having a
makeover and dressing up makes you a different person, nor does it
define you. Your inner beauty is inside you, so I want you to have
the confidence to show it. Okay? Own it.”
“Yeah.” I nodded. Funny that she could already sense so much
about me. “Thanks.”
“Come here roomie.” She embraced me into a hug. When she
pulled away she smiled ruefully. “But you will get a lot of attention
tonight.”
Theodora

Fraternity row was only a few blocks off campus but since we were
both in heels Kenzie ordered us a Lyft. She had a car, a cherry red
BMW she’d received as a graduation present, but the street that
stretched in front of frat house row was narrow and it would’ve been
something short of a miracle to find a parking spot, unless you
wanted to risk the chance of parking illegally and getting your car
towed. I tried to give her cash, but she waved me off. “Don’t worry,
it’s not that expensive. It’s not a long drive.”
When we made it to the Pi Kappa Alpha house, the party was in
full swing if all the students hanging out front were any indication,
and you could hear the loud thump of bass coming from inside.
Own it. I straightened my shoulders and made sure the hem of
the dress was in place and my boobs were properly covered after
sliding out of the back seat of our ride.
We passed through the crowd inside who were gathered in the
living room cheering. Kenzie waved to some guy in a button-down
shirt, untucked and some khaki shorts. I’d noticed several guys
dressed similar to him, while girls wore dresses. Looked a little
strange, as though we were a little over dressed for the club when it
was only a frat party but whatever.
“Hey girl.” The guy leaned in and gave my friend a peck on the
cheek.
 “This is Theodora,” she told the clean-cut guy who held a bottle
of Shiner Bock beer in his hand.
“Hey, I’m Justin. Let me get you something to drink. We have a
full bar tonight. What would you like?”
“Vodka tonic with a twist of lime. Preferably Tito’s,” Kenzie
replied like she was a seasoned mixologist. “Same,” I said when he
looked at me.
“Got it.” He nodded his head. “Wait here, and I’ll be back.”
“He’s cute, right? I met him on campus earlier today at the
bookstore. He plays football.”
I nodded. I guess if you liked a guy who wore khaki shorts and
polo shirts.
“All right, everyone. Listen up,” a voice boomed over a
microphone and the music stopped. Through the crowd, I saw
another preppie looking guy with a button-down oxford and what a
surprise…khakis standing in front of the stone fireplace with
microphone in hand. “We have some local stars among us tonight.
Future NFL ballers. Am I right?”
The crowded living room erupted in cheers. I didn’t know
anything about Hillside’s football team. It was a smaller college and
was known for its excellence in academics.
“These guys are going to put us on the map this year in
football. We’re going to make it to the College Football Playoffs!” Cue
another round of cheers.
“What is this? A party or a pep rally?” I asked Kenzie in jest.
She was clapping too and leaned down. “There are a lot of
Falcon football players here tonight. Many of them are PIKE
members. Justin’s in this fraternity too. He lives here.”
“Hey, where’s the rest of your entourage?” Preppy boy directed
his attention to some tall dark-haired guy who stood out in the
crowd. I could only see his wide shoulders and back.
 “How the fuck would I know? I’m not their keeper.”
Preppy boy smiled and lifted the mic to his mouth like he was
emceeing a boxing match. “Ladies and gentlemen. I present to you.
Standing at six foot three, two-hundred and forty-five pounds. The
godsend of your Hillside Falcons…Roman Martinez!” Whoops and
hollers erupted all around, while my breath caught in my throat. He
was here. Roman made his way to the front, and it was like I had a
line of string in my spine that someone yanked tightly forcing me to
stand at attention.
“Speech, speech, speech.” Arms were in the air as fists pumped
back and forth in sync. This was the strangest spectacle I’d ever
witnessed. I never thought I would ever cross paths again with
Roman. Technically, I hadn’t, but if he saw me here. Who knew what
would happen?
Roman took the mic and scanned the crowd, while I causally
ducked my head shielding my face with my hand although I was
fairly certain he couldn’t see me since the room was packed, and I
was near the back of the crowd. Justin approached with our drinks.
Kenzie grabbed hers, and I had no choice but to take mine too.
“This is our year. This is our time. This is our moment!” He
raised his drink in the air and everyone did the same. “So let’s have
a toast. Here’s to a great year and hope to see you at the games
and all hail the mighty falcons.” He dropped the microphone and
stalked off, and the packed group of people somehow separated,
leaving a path with the ending near Kenzie and me. Panic shot
through me. I faced Kenzie keeping my back to him, hoping he’d just
pass by and not even take the time to notice me. I felt the rush of
air whoosh by me and a familiar all-male scent, and the blaring of
Travis Scott’s “Highest in the Room” indicating the party was back
on. I inhaled deeply whether out of relief or relishing a high I hadn’t
experienced in years, I couldn’t be certain. However, I kept my head
down staring into my drink contemplating slipping away and walking
back to my dorm.
 Raucous laughter was heard over the loud music. Out of the
corner of my eye, I saw him standing around a group of girls a few
feet away. Then a brunette stepped into his group and leaned in,
kissing his cheek. Nausea threatened to rear its ugly head. If I could
just convince Kenzie to go outside, away from him…
She bent to my ear. “Hey, I’ll be right back. Justin wants me to
help him bring some more alcohol from the basement since the bar
is running low. Will you be okay here for a sec?”
“Yeah, go. I’ll be fine.” I sure as hell hoped my voice sounded
more confident than I felt. There were so many people packed in
here, I could lay low for a bit, couldn’t I? Justin took her hand as I
watched them walk off. I wrapped my arms around my stomach and
kept unwillingly glancing his way. Soon, some of the girls in his orbit
moved off toward the back of the house, while he stayed and looked
like he was having some serious conversation with the brunette
because he wasn’t smiling. I couldn’t see her face because her back
was to me. The next thing I knew she threw her hands up in the air
storming off while he glanced around with a look of indifference and
took a pull from his drink.
I took one step to the side planning my exit because the group
of people between he and I was thinning out as people pumped
hands in the air bouncing by me to the beat of the music blaring
around us.
“Roman!” a male voice called out behind me. “We’re gonna do it
this year, man.” He sounded well on his way to drunk and tipped his
cup in his direction. He struggled to stand up straight holding his cup
high as alcohol sloshed over the side. I cringed in apprehension as
Roman lifted his head, searching for whoever spoke, and the air left
my lungs. He nodded at him, and then his eyes shifted until they
landed on me. A shiver crept up my neck when I saw his eyes. Not
only were they cold. They were filled with hate.
Tortuous seconds ticked by until his lips twisted down. “Get
out.” I saw the words slip out of his mouth, although the noise was
too loud to hear. It was easy to read his lips, and his warning was
directed at me. Why did I stand paralyzed when I should’ve slipped
out when I had the chance? Yet, I felt planted to the floor still
harboring a sense of denial.
This was my Roman.
The boy I’d known all my life.
Who I didn’t know anymore.
His glare never wavered from me, and his next words hit me
directly as though he were standing in front of me instead of several
feet apart. “Get the fuck out!”
“Damn, bro. What did I do to piss you off?” Mr. Overserved
behind me called out defensively. The few people around us shifted
their head in puzzlement wondering why this football god was trying
to throw someone out of a fraternity party. My cheeks flushed in
embarrassment because I knew exactly who he was talking about.
Fortunately, there weren’t too many people around to see what was
unfolding. However, the public humiliation would only get worse the
longer I stood here and stared. And there was no doubt he’d keep at
it. When Roman set his mind on something he always followed
through, and he had the minions beneath him to carry out his
orders. Always had.
Turning, I pasted a smile on my face, hid my rising
mortification, and made my way quickly out the front door before
everyone at the party knew me as the girl who got kicked out of an
open house mixer.
I swiped at my face rushing down the sidewalk and bumped
someone as I passed by nearly losing my balance as one of my
pointy heels turned beneath me.
“Hey. I got you.” Hands held my arms steadying me.
“Thanks,” I murmured giving a brief glance to the tall broad-
shouldered guy with a kind smile. I looked over my shoulder hoping
to avoid seeing him again. All I wanted was to make it back to my
room.
 “You leaving already?”
“Yup. Thanks again.” I started walking off.
“Where are you headed?” He asked behind me, and I glanced
over my shoulder. “Home.”
“Nick! Where the fuck you been, bro?” Someone yelled in the
distance, and I picked up my stride.
“Wait,” he called out behind me, but I waved him off.
“I’m fine. Really.”
I kept up my pace fighting the sickening feeling of humiliation.
As I neared the dorm, I kicked off my heels and padded up the
front steps. I heard my phone buzz.
Kenzie: Where r u?
Me: Walking home. I don’t feel well.
Kenzie: Tell me where you are. I’ll walk with u.
Me: No. Stay. I’m almost to our room. Enjoy your evening with Justin.

I could tell she really liked him, and right now I just wanted to
be alone because I knew Kenzie would bombard me with questions I
didn’t want to answer. What could I say? Roman and I shared a long
history. The little girl who never knew her father, raised by her
mother who lived in the poor part of a small country town, went
from squalor to living in a mansion. I remembered the first day I set
eyes on him when we moved in with his family because my mom
had been hired to take care his mother.
He was a few years older than me, and I’d always had a crush
on him over the years. Eventually, he’d returned the feelings. I
thought we’d be together forever, but I was a naïve and idealistic
girl. You don’t know what love is. You’re too young. Those were the
words my mom uttered the summer between my freshman and
sophomore year. Soon after, everything fell apart. Whatever love that
had blossomed between Roman and I long ago was only a pipe
dream.
 My first week of classes had gone smoothly so far. It was Friday
morning and I had classes until noon. Luckily, I had a job interview
at one of the local college restaurants a few blocks away this
afternoon.
I walked down the sidewalk, observing the stately, red brick
buildings surrounded by lush trees. It really was a quaint but
beautiful campus nestled among rolling hills covered in rock and
foliage. As I came closer to the older building named after someone
who’d probably contributed money to the campus years ago when it
opened, I noticed a group of people lounging around the front. After
walking this path for a few days, I’d recognized the same people
congregated here. Most of the guys stood out being tall and
muscular, probably athletes of some type, as a few girls laughed and
flipped their hair or put a hand on their hip as if enraptured by
whatever was being said. I didn’t know any of them, but some of
the faces looked familiar in a way. Probably because they were at
that ill-fated PIKE party last week. When I passed through here the
first time, I’d felt some of them watch me in morbid fascination and
whisper amongst themselves. At least that’s how I saw it. Perhaps
some people were paying attention the other night when I had to
keep myself from making a mad dash out of the party. I held my
head high nonetheless. I dealt with whispers and petty bullshit
before.
As I turned right to go up the stairs to the entrance, I pulled out
my phone to check the time and a text came through.
Mom: Have a great day and good luck on your interview.

I clicked in the reply box, then a large shadow fell over me and
chills coursed down my spine. When I glanced up, my pulse kicked
up. It was like staring at a beautiful picture or reliving a bittersweet
memory from my past. Unfortunately, I couldn’t forget his hate-filled
glare from the party last week as he crudely kicked me out. Roman.
I averted my eyes and tried to move around him because I made a
vow to never be caught off-guard again. However, he blocked my
path. “Move out of my way.”
“Not yet,” he said, crowding the limited space between us. His
chest was as broad as ever, more so even, as muscles constricted
under soft fabric. I saw the tan skin that peeked out from the collar,
and my eyes traveled up farther, studying his face. The angled,
square jawline. The indentation in his chin. Sensuous full mouth. His
pronounced straight nose. All his features screamed out strength,
hard, and alpha. When I reached his caramel-colored eyes that I
used to get lost in when he gazed at me, I nearly faltered. It was
one thing to see his wrath from a distance. It was quite another to
experience it up close. They were dark and his straight eyebrows
were drawn together as he stared at me with a mixture of coldness
and fury.
“What are you doing here?” His voice sounded ominous as
though I was trespassing on his property.
“I go to school here.”
He leaned in; his inky hair fell across his forehead as he ground
out, “How?”
My skin began to burn as he edged in, and his masculine,
woodsy scent filled my senses. He’d broken my heart, and now
seemed as though he wanted to strangle me. That was apparent.
However, Roman questioning how I got into this school was
ridiculous. Was he implying that I wasn’t good enough or too poor to
attend this small private school?
“I have a scholarship.”
“Is that right?” His voice rose with a deceptive coolness. “You
were always very resourceful, huh, even coming from the trailer
park. You should be very grateful for my family’s generosity.”
“What does that mean?” Did he think I should fall to the ground
in gratitude because I had the chance to live under his family’s roof
while my mother earned her way? Why was I standing here listening
to this? I complied when I was at the party. However, I was not
going to listen to his condescending crap while I was on campus
getting the education I worked hard for. What could he do? Kick me
off campus too? “I earned the right to be here.”
“I’m sure you did.” His mouth lifted in a cruel smile. “But, don’t
get too comfortable because once you think you have everything, it
could all be lost in the blink of an eye. You know, karma and all.”
“We’re not at a stupid frat party. You can’t throw me out of the
university.” The intelligent side of my brain knew I should’ve ignored
him and ran as far away from him as I could. Instead of trying to
provoke him.
I shouldered around him and before I could step forward,
fingers dug into my elbow, yanking me until my back crashed into
his chest. I felt his breath at my ear as he warned low, “That’s where
you’re wrong. Don’t tempt me. You don’t know the lengths I will go
to when it comes to you.”

I sat down in one of the desks at the back, glancing around the
small auditorium preparing for my Sociology class, still shaken over
seeing Roman again. I thought he was different. Yes, I came from
poverty, but over the years he’d befriended me, even defended me
when the other privileged kids in high school made fun of me. I
thought he loved me. I thought I was good enough. I thought he
wasn’t a superficial person who cared about status. In reality, I was
good enough for him to sample the milk, but not to be seen on his
arm.
“Is this seat taken?” I shook my head and glanced up to see the
blond Adonis who’d seemed to show up late every day we had class
this week. Hearing the whispers among other students, he was
supposedly some football star on campus. He certainly was built like
one. His eyes were light green and his skin tan. His muscles were
etched under the white designer T-shirt he wore. Then recognition
hit me, and he said, “Remember me. The guy you ran into the other
night.”
“Oh hey.”
He dropped down beside me, and I noticed he didn’t bring
anything with him—no laptop, books, pen, or paper. “You took off in
a hurry. I’m Nick by the way.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t feeling well. Think it was food poisoning.”
“Ugh. That shit sucks.”
I bit back a smile and flipped open my school-issued
Chromebook as our professor began his lecture. Soon, another guy
slid into the chair next to blondie. He was equally built too, but had
dark curly hair and mocha skin. “You didn’t bring anything to take
notes?” he whispered as though put out.
“No.” Nick leaned back in his seat. “You know you’re a better
note taker than me.”
“What the fuck, bro? Do I look like your personal assistant?”
The professor paused and glanced around the auditorium until
his eyes settled on our area in the back, apparently hearing the loud
whispers. “If you find my lecture boring, you can leave.”
When the room remained silent, he turned and started writing
something on the Smart Board, and Nick whispered to his friend,
“You told me if I took this class with you, you’d make sure I passed.
You said you’d take one for the team.”
His friend sighed, but didn’t respond. A few minutes later, as I
furiously typed my notes, I felt blondie’s eyes on me as he bent his
head to my ear. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you again, since I
noticed you were in the same class as me.”
I chewed on my lip, and kept moving my fingers across the
keyboard.
He leaned in again. “But I still don’t know your name.”
 I blinked up at him and rushed out, “Theodora.” I cautiously
glanced back to the, front of the auditorium scared that I might be
heard and then asked to leave the class.
I felt a breath on my ear again. “Theodora. I like that name. It
sounds exotic.”
Dr. Smith paused and scanned the room. A few seconds later,
Nick exhaled a loud breath. “Do you even know what the hell this
lecture’s about? I’m lost.”
“Shh,” I warned as silently as possible. Maybe if he wasn’t
talking through it, he would know.
There was a quiet chuckle. “Don’t worry. He won’t kick me out
of class. I have immunity.”
Of course he did. It was the same in high school with the star
athletes. Obviously, college was just an extension of allowing
athletes to have carte blanche. Did Roman get a pass too? Was he
regaled on campus like he was in high school?
When the class was over, I heard the rumbles of students and
the click of laptops flipping shut. I was still trying to finish typing my
notes. As I gathered up my things, I glanced up to see Nick’s grin
with his golden-boy looks. His friend leaned in nudging Nick aside.
“Apparently, this asshole has no manners. I’m Axel by the way.”
“Theo.”
Nick shoved him back playfully. “Don’t you have another class
across campus? Better hurry. Don’t want to be late.”
“Yeah, unlike you I take school seriously.” He leaned in
whispering conspiratorially. “Don’t believe anything this joker says.”
With that, he saluted with a huge grin. “Later.”
Nick rolled his eyes with an easy-going smile. “Hey, I was
wondering if you were going to the football game tomorrow? I play
linebacker on the team.”
Kenzie was going and had basically coerced me into going with
her. I knew I’d see Roman on the field judging from the props he
received the other night. For as long as I knew him, Roman always
had a football in his hand. It’d always been his dream to play. The
thought caused some kind of weird stirring in my stomach. I
should’ve said no, but instead these words fell out of my mouth. “I’ll
try to make it.”
Nick winked. “You do that. By the way, my number is fifty-five.”
He smirked. “You’ll know when you see me out there making tackle
after tackle.”
“Cocky much?” I teased.
“Nah, just stating facts.”
As he walked off whistling, I wondered why I was thinking
about whether or not I’d see another star player making all the big
plays?
Theodora

It was mid-afternoon and Kenzie and I were sitting in the student

section at the football stadium behind the home team. I cheered
with everyone else as the sea of red jerseys with the word Falcons
displayed across their chests ran through the tunnel onto the field.
As players trotted over to the sidelines, many carrying their helmets
in hand, I made an effort to search for Nick. I truly did. However, my
attention was drawn to the dark head of number eighty-seven. Why
did he have to look so hot and intimidating in his damn uniform?
Roman wasn’t the tallest guy on the team, although close, but his
presence was always larger than any player on the field. Today was
no exception.
“Look, there’s Justin!” Kenzie nudged me. Justin and she had
steadily seen each other more and more for the past week. I
glanced over where she pointed briefly, but my eyes kept going back
to Roman. He was now off by himself on the sideline kneeling just
like he always did before games as he stared at the field. He’d once
told me he liked to visualize his routes and catches before the game.
It got him in the zone. Whatever he did, it usually worked.
It always made me pumped to know you were at my game
watching me. You’re the best good luck charm, Corazón. You’re my
girl, always.
 “Theo. Theo!” My friend jostled my arm. “What just happened?
It’s like you tuned out and were in a daze.”
“What? No,” I recovered. “If you haven’t noticed, it’s kind of
loud in the stadium.” Gosh. I needed to stop this nonsense before
my friend started pressing me for info. I was stuck in a moment and
wasn’t ready to delve into my past with my newfound friend. College
was supposed to be a clean slate for me. I vowed to keep it that
way. I shouldn’t even think about him considering the way he’d
treated me recently. You don’t know the lengths I will go to when it
comes to you.
As the game progressed, we watched as our offense marched
down the field. Roman had already caught several passes, moving
the chains. He was dominating his position as usual. The Falcons
offense was at midfield, and the quarterback took the hike and back
pedaled, Roman breezed by a defender as he burned down the field.
The QB tossed it in the air his way…and it landed in his hands as he
ran the next twenty yards into the end zone. “Touchdown Falcons!”
the announcer yelled, followed by a loud train sounding horn of a
contraption behind the end zone. “Roman Martinez!” It was noisy
but all I saw was my high school crush who jumped around in
excitement and yanked off his helmet as he bellowed out to the sky
with his neck strained while teammates gathered around him in
celebration. That was the first of two more touchdowns he would
score, and the Falcons would go on to win 44–0.
After the game, I followed Kenzie out of the stands outside, and
we walked around the stadium to the east end. “What are we
doing?”
“Waiting for Justin.”
A small crowd of people began congregating around and soon
players started coming out looking freshly showered in street
clothing. Kenzie grabbed my arm. “There he is. Come on.” I let her
drag me along.
 When Justin’s baby blues landed on my friend, he broke out in a
huge smile.
“Good game, babe,” Kenzie gushed and threw her arms around
his neck. I glanced around awkwardly while they kissed and spotted
Nick passing through the crowd.
“Theo, you wanna go?”
My attention was drawn back to my roomie who dangled over
Justin like a human necklace. “Where?”
“There’s a party tonight at a friend’s place off campus,” Justin
supplied as his hands wrapped around my friend’s hips.
“She’s going,” Kenzie filled in before I could answer.
“Sure,” I said with caution. On one hand, I wanted to avoid
another possible unpleasant confrontation, but on the other, I chided
myself for being a coward. Why not? It was stupid, really, to let one
person piss on my parade. Who knew if he’d be there anyway? And
if he was? I shrugged off the thought.
“You came.” I heard a deep voice behind me.
I turned and Nick stood with arms crossed and a cocky smile on
his face.
“Yeah. Good game.”
“Thanks.” He dipped his chin. “There’s a party tonight at my
house…”
“She knows,” Justin said behind me and released his hold on
Kenzie to fist bump Nick’s hand.
“You gonna make it out there?”
I thumbed my hair behind my ear. “Yeah. I’ll be there.”
“Nick, let’s roll!” I looked up to see Axel dressed like he just
finished a photo shoot with GQ signaling with his index finger a few
feet away impatiently.
 “I’ll see you tonight.” He brushed my chin with his thumb,
flashing his teeth before he took off in the direction of his friend.
Despite the excitement I was feeling, self-doubt once again drifted in
my brain cells. Own it, I reminded myself.

Music floated through the air as Kenzie and I walked up the long
driveway filled with expensive SUVs, tricked up jeeps and sports
cars. Damn, Nick was a high roller. I could tell by the modern house
that was somewhat isolated on private cul de sac surrounded by
trees. This place must have cost a fortune. It seemed it was situated
a block away from other impressive homes in this neighborhood, but
only about fifteen minutes from campus. Kenzie had driven and
parked down the street behind a stream of cars that already lined
the curbs for at least a mile long.
The music from inside was so loud the ground vibrated as we
neared the front door. A few people were hanging out with drinks in-
hand talking. Kenzie opened the door, and the house was crazy-
packed with people bumping and grinding to the beat. We threaded
through the crowd, and I almost felt claustrophobic. When we finally
made it through the living room, I’d already been bumped by a
hundred people. I was ready to either have a drink, pop a Xanax, or
down both at the same time.
“Kenzie!” Justin was leaning against the island in the kitchen,
and Nick was next to him. His eyes fell on me, and that never-
ending cock-sure tilt of his mouth he always carried was on full
display.
She was at Justin’s side, and several bottles of liquor and soft
drinks crowded the counter.
“Hey you.” Nick stepped close, and his eyes ran over me,
checking me out. I had on high-waist denim shorts and a cropped
tank showing a flash of stomach. “What would you like to drink?”
 I shrugged, making a show to ponder the array of bottles
displayed, as if I was some kind of connoisseur, which could’ve been
further from the truth. I noticed Justin had mixed Kenzie something
with Malibu, so I jutted my chin out. “I’ll have that, too.”
Nick made a drink and handed me the red plastic cup. Kenzie
looked up at me. “We’re going out back.”
I followed them with Nick by my side. We passed through the
wide-open doors and faced a lit rectangle-shaped pool. People were
either grouped around it in conversation, dancing around like they
were at Lollapalooza, or mugging down in lounge chairs. There were
others who were in the pool in both swimsuits and underwear, and
the night was still young. No telling when all the clothing would
come off. Probably sooner than later as more drinking commenced.
“This place is nice,” I said. Wait, did I call it nice? Nice? That
was the best description I could come up with? I must’ve been in
awe that a college kid could afford a home like this. Of course, it
was probably his family’s money. It had to be.
“It is nice,” Nick agreed.
I took a sip of my drink, staring around trying to think of
something to say. Something that didn’t make me sound like an
idiot. Words didn’t flow freely like my friend, Kenzie, who was
standing a few feet away with Justin flipping her hair as she spoke
with her mouth moving animatedly to the small group around them.
I felt a nudge on my upper arm. Nick bent in. “Did you want a
tour of the house?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Sure.”
Before he led me away, a thick arm wrapped around his neck.
“You better fuckin’ pay up, man.” Axel popped up behind him holding
him in a fake chokehold, cackling. “I beat you!”
Nick shook his head, shoving Axel’s arm aside. “It was one time.
I usually annihilate you.”
 “Doesn’t matter. I beat you when it mattered. When there’s
money on the table, you bet your ass I’m gonna win.” Axel looked up
at me and grinned. “Hey, Theo.”
“Hi.” I lifted a hand in some stupid wave that I made a mental
note to not ever do again. Axel and Nick continued talking trash
about whatever bet they had, while I observed them; they both
looked intimidating in build. Axel was a running back on the team
and he’d run rampant in the game earlier, scoring at least two
touchdowns. I wondered if they were friends with Roman? Was he
even here? I shook off the thought, hoping he wasn’t. Although I
spoke bravely earlier, I really didn’t want a repeat of the other night.
As their conversation heated, Nick beamed with a challenging
gleam in his eye. “You know what, Ax? Let’s go, I want a rematch. If
you’ve got the balls that is. Double down, bro.”
“You really wanna wager a thousand dollars?” Axel raised an
eyebrow at him.
What the hell were they wagering on? Who had that much
money to just throw away? Obviously, these guys.
“You feeling lucky, bitch? Then lets go again,” Nick goaded.
“All right. Let’s do this.”
Axel downed his drink and turned to head back inside. Nick took
my hand and nodded toward the house. “Come on, Theo. Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“To the lair.” Say what? The lair? Was this some kind of fight
club or something?
“Relax. It’s a game room.” Nick chuckled as though reading my
worried face like an open book. “We’re just playing NBA 2K20.”
“Okay.” Whatever that meant. Still, my expression was puzzled.
“It’s just a video game.” Nick tapped my nose. “You’re too cute,”
he teased, leading me with him, while I cautiously looked behind me
to see where Kenzie was, but she was nowhere in sight. Passing
through the packed house, the sea of partiers seemed to
disintegrate quickly at his sight, leaving an open path. What was it
with football players here that everyone gave them a wide berth?
We passed through the kitchen, and the crowd kind of thinned out
as we walked down a long hallway and turned right, descending
down concrete stairs. Did I mention this house was massive? I didn’t
even know it was multi-leveled. From the outside, it looked like an
oversized one-story house.
When we reached the bottom step, there was a stately black
door that almost looked like a vault. Jeez, were we going to a
dungeon? Should I be nervous I was following a guy I barely knew
into a room that was closed off from the rest of the house?
“It’s all good,” Nick reassured me.
When he opened the door, a hazy cloud filled the room along
with an acrid smell of pot and cigarettes. I followed him in and saw
a ginormous flat screen on a wall and an oversized leather sectional
with people sitting around, Axel was among them jawing nonstop to
some other guy beside him who had a girl in his lap clad only in a
bra and a micro-mini skirt grinding against him.
“Let’s get you a refill.” Nick guided me over to another corner of
the grand room that was equipped with a wet bar and enough liquor
to host a music festival and full-size refrigerator. A billiards table was
set in the middle of the room, and two beefy looking men were
circling around with pool sticks chattering about tonight’s game. Nick
took my cup and uncapped a bottle of Malibu, obviously
remembering what I had earlier, although I watched him as he
poured making sure he didn’t roofie my drink. I didn’t really think he
would.
High-pitched laughter drew my attention across the room. Guys
and girls were assembled at a round table playing cards. “You
cheated!” a female voice squealed, throwing down her cards in a
fake huff and then unhooked her bra as her generous boobs spilled
out, while the other participants ogled and cheered. Some whipped
out their phones taking videos. Maybe this was a mistake coming
down here. Maybe I should just relax and let go. Why did I keep
questioning myself?
“Here you go.” Nick laid the cup in my hand and nodded toward
the sofa. He didn’t seem to care there were half-naked women in the
room. Was this an everyday occurrence for him? Shut up, brain.
“Time for me to kick my friend’s ass.” His lips curled up boyishly with
a gentle nudge at my back. As we reached the already-filled couch,
Nick’s eyes slanted to Axel, who clicked the buttons on his controller
before he signaled to the two girls sitting beside him. “Move,” Nick
said in impatience; the smile never left his face. I guess he thought
he was being polite, lessening the blow. The girls’ faces scrunched
up as they glanced at Axel, who was focused on the game before
slowly rising in annoyance.
“Hey, why the fuck you sending away my fan club?” Axel asked,
although his eyes were still glued to the screen, not sounding too
worried about it. Finally, he graced them with his attention, flashing
his pearly whites and dimples. “I’ll hook up with y’all later.”
Not you. Y’all.
That answer seemed to appease them, and the girls both made
I heart U eyes at him before they strutted off.
Nick sat down and patted the space beside him, and I lowered
down on the plush leather seat. He slung an arm on the back of the
couch behind me, leaving space not completely crowding me in. I
felt his fingers brush my shoulder, and my eyes widened at the
theater-sized screen in front of me.
Twisting his head at Axel, Nick prodded, “Are we playing or
what?”
“I’ve been here, son, just been waiting on your prima donna
ass.” Axel scoffed.
Nick leaned around Axel to the dark-haired guy with the girl in
his lap who was draped all over him with her tits in his face. “Tell
fuck boy to give me the remote. Is he even playing the game?”
 “Not well. Fucker thinks he is, but he also thinks he can
multitask the game and her and handle his liquor.” Axel nudged the
guy next to him. “Dmitri, give over the remote. Nick wants to play.”
“I can multitask and handle my liquor, asshole, I’m Russian.”
Dmitri shifted the girl on his lap as his face made an appearance
from behind a veil of chocolate brown hair. His puffy lips were well-
kissed and swollen but lifted in an arrogant tilt, and giving zero
fucks, he tossed the controller across to Nick.
Nick and Axel both burst out laughing as though sharing an
inside joke. Axel finally said, “Let’s play.”
“Hey, it’s about fucking time you showed up!” Someone shouted
behind me and I craned my neck out of curiosity. And I knew. Call it
a sixth sense. Call it common sense because half the football team
was here, so it was only natural he’d be here too.
Theodora

Roman was here. It was like his presence made everyone demand
his attention. His dark hair was thick on top and recklessly styled. He
wore a black T-shirt and dark jeans. His cool eyes scanned the room
with no emotion as he shifted on his feet while some guy was
nudging him and talking non-stop. Roman hated small talk.
Regardless, I felt anxiety in my chest seeing him so close. Perhaps I
should’ve been more apprehensive, because it didn’t take long
before he saw me, and the unease sped up double-time as I was
caught in his relentless gaze, while stark darkness filled his eyes. He
was several feet away from me across the expansive room, but it
didn’t seem far enough. Even worse when he took a step forward in
my direction. I held my breath, preparing myself for another
uncomfortable encounter.
All the bravado inner pep talks I gave myself about not caring
whether I saw him again were beginning to get skittish and threaten
to run and hide like frightened cats. Reality beat me over the head.
Hanging around a crowd of adoring fans was his domain, and I
should’ve steered clear of him. In my defense, it’s not like I sought
him out nor knew we’d even end up at the same school. As far as I
knew, Roman had interest in going to one of the bigger colleges in
the SEC. But that was in the past…much like our history. He took a
few more steps closer, his jaw tightened with determination as
though he were on a mission to truly destroy me.
 “Roman, there you are.” A girl with jet black hair stepped in
front of him. Someone who looked very familiar. Whose family was
just as wealthy, if not more so than the Martinez family. Taylor
Shields. He kept his glare on me as Taylor was coaxing him into
making her a drink, signaling to the bar. Finally, he relented and
allowed her to lead him to the back of the room.
I turned to Nick, who was focused on the video game talking
smack to his friend. “Where’s the restroom?”
“Go back up the stairs, and it’s the second door on the left. If
it’s full, just use the one in my room at the very end of the hall.”
I rose and went over to the door flashing a glance to my right to
catch his eyes again, watching me like I was a wounded rabbit in an
open field. Soon, he turned his head at something Taylor said and
his face wasn’t so severe. Peeling my eyes away, I slipped out and
made my way up the steps. How my heart could beat faster with
unease and yet sink to my stomach at the same time was pathetic. I
was still trying to digest how we’d come to this. My thoughts rifled
through an internal folder of memories. Remembering how there
was a time when Roman’s face softened around me. He’d always
been someone who was somewhat withdrawn and serious around
everyone, although he was the person everyone gravitated around
at school, at parties, everywhere really. Back then he never let his
guard down, but he would around me. Until all hell broke loose.
When I emerged from the stairs, there were several people
congregating around a closed door, a solid line waiting for the
bathroom, so I continued down the long hall until I reached the end.
Opening the door, I turned on the light and gazed around Nick’s
room. He had a queen-sized bed with a plaid comforter, a dresser,
and nightstand. Some football paraphernalia and a few family
photos. I picked up one of the photos seeing him in his football
uniform in between an older man and woman who I assumed were
his parents. Both were blond and striking as well. Setting it down, I
made a move to the bathroom. At least, it smelled somewhat clean
and looked tidy. When I took care of business and washed my
hands, I flicked off the light, opened the bathroom door and saw the
motion of a tall figure pass through the door. The enemy was upon
me.
“You don’t listen very well, do you?” Roman’s deep, contempt-
laced voice bounced off the walls above the muffled background
noise from the living room. The bedroom door was now closed, and
he leaned against it with his arms overlapped.
“What do you want?” I stood my ground fighting something
bubbling inside. Maybe it was fear, or maybe it was the thought of
challenging him, I didn’t know. Lord knew he was hate-glaring at me
with a sick smile on his face. I’d seen that look before when he was
on the football field after an opposing defender fucked with and
taunted him before he went off like a madman. He thrived on
getting the best of someone. Thrived on winning. Knowing that
information, a saner person would’ve sprinted back in the bathroom,
locked the door and called for help. I rubbed my palms over my
shorts. “I was invited. You do know what that word means?”
“Well, I’m uninviting you.” He pushed off the door, stalking
closer with his never-ending resolve when he set his mind on
something, while I fought the urge to run. However, I dug in my
heels. The two drinks I’d downed gave me courage. Not saying that
was the smartest decision. Or best justification.
“Uninviting me?” I paused deliberately, tilting my head in
question. “Oh wait. I’m sorry, but who the hell do you think you
are?” I goaded, shrouded with my shield of fake confidence, but a
twisting in my stomach reminded me I wasn’t completely immune to
this dread. To him.
His footsteps reverberated against the hardwood as he neared;
his unmistakable scent of maleness and dominance ruled my senses.
He didn’t stop until his chest pressed mine, crowding me in. A vein
in his neck bulged as he craned over me. His thick chest rose and
fell slowly with his every breath as he nosed around my face like a
German Shepard picking up a scent. Finally, lowering his head under
my chin as he whispered, “I’m the one who haunts your dreams. So
if you want to save face, I would suggest you get the fuck out.”
The air felt too thick to breathe, and our bodies were a hair’s
breadth away. He was intimidating, which was his goal, wasn’t it?
However, I countered, “You must be mistaken to think your threats
mean anything. What are you? An eight-year-old on the playground
playing bully?”
As soon as the words came out, fingers dug into my arm. I
fought to yank away, but it was futile. He warned softly, “No. Just
trying to get rid of the trash. By the way what the hell are you doing
in my friend’s room?”
“Screw you, Roman, you have no say in what I do. Nick invited
me.”
“Nick?” he growled, showing his teeth. His eyes darkened, a
brewing blackness was unleashing, growing more frightening with
each passing second.
I think I’d reached my limit of his stupid scowls and threats. I
grinned brightly. “Yep. His house. His party. Now run along and sulk
somewhere else.”
“That’s funny considering this is my fucking house too.” He lived
here. He actually lived here. Of course he did.
“What’s your point?”
“My point is, these run-ins are beginning to irk me like an
uncomfortable thorn in my side. Kind of painful, but more annoying.”
“Oh, I’m sorry you feel that way.” Sarcasm oozed from my
mouth. “Since it seems like it’s you who holds a grudge and prolongs
our chance meetings. What will you do, drag me out by my hair and
throw me out the front door?”
One side of his mouth curled in a snarl. “You underestimate me,
again. I wouldn’t need to.” His eyes raked over me with something
more than distaste and a worn, familiar feeling slipped through me.
He added in a cool tone, “Did Nick send you to his room to wait
obediently for him like the sweet, innocent girl you portray yourself
to be? Hmm?” He curled a finger under my chin. “Did he?” My lips
flattened refusing to rise to the bait. He bent closer; his words
floated over my lips. “We both know that’s not true, don’t we?”
I turned my head away, saddened he thought so low of me.
“You don’t know me anymore.”
“I know you better than anyone here, including Nick.” He
gripped my chin again forcing me to face him. “Maybe I should
reconsider this situation.”
“There is no situation.”
“Oh, but there is. You think I would stand by and let my friend
get fucked over by you?”
I jerked my chin away taking a step back. “Fine. If you want me
to leave, I will.”
He edged in on me with nostrils flared like a beast that’d just
been awakened. “Too late. I’ve changed my mind.”
I swallowed although my throat had gone dry. “Why?”
He shrugged with his eyes devoid of emotion.
“Do you hate me so much?”
“Hate is a weak emotion, Theodora.” He reached out and lightly
traced my collarbone.
“What is it you want, Roman?” My voice shook as my skin
quivered beneath his touch.
“Maybe I want to fuck you so hard until you have me etched in
your memories. Until I forget what a heartless liar you truly are.”
“Don’t.” I shoved at his chest, but he pressed in closer.
“Does the truth hurt?” His hips swiveled into mine feeling his
erection through our clothing. He was hard.
My eyes brows shot up startled by his apparent hatred and lust.
“You’re so wrong. This is wrong.”
 His finger trailed lower dragging down the hem of my top until it
bunched at the valley of my chest. His lips curled in a cruel grin.
“Don’t act like you have a conscience now. It doesn’t suit you.” His
finger stroked the swell of my breast.
I blinked trying to gather my senses. “You’re insane.”
“That may be true,” he retorted while his thumb traced slow
circles against my skin. He was an evil temptation cloaked in a
smooth warning. Roman was toying with me. I felt the unbridled
fury in his soft touch. I knew him too well. He added, “I wonder
what Nick would say if he walked in and saw your flushed cheeks
right now. How your lips are parted begging to be kissed. Or saw
your legs wrapped around my hips as I drove into your tight cunt.”
I curled my fingers around his hand flinging it to the side. He
was an egotistical dickhead. “That’s all this is isn’t it? You’re trying to
prove a point.”
“If I wanted to prove a point.” He slapped a palm on the wall
near my head caging me in. “It wouldn’t be difficult.”
I dug my nails into my palms, trying to keep my composure.
“Oh, sure. Here’s an excessively obvious point. I will never sleep
with you again.”
His intense eyes never fled mine. “Is that so?”
I nodded, never breaking our gaze. Minutes seemed to pass as
we stared. “I need to find Nick.” I made a move to scoot around him
but he clamped down hard on my shoulder.
“Stay away from him.”
I wouldn’t even grace him with an answer. “Let go, Roman. Or
—”
“Or what? What will you do? Enlighten me.”
His smug look was goading me, and I reacted without thinking,
doing something I only thought worked in movies. I swung my leg
up with all my might, shoving my knee into his crotch. Even as
tough as Roman was, he doubled over with a sharp exhale, cursing
my name. It was enough time to slip around him out of the room. I
fought the bubble of adrenaline rushing through me and passed
through the hall contemplating where I would go. Instinct had me
heading through the living room, searching for Kenzie and finding a
ride home. I scanned the room filled wall-to-wall with a crowd of
people waving their hands in the air, bumping and grinding like this
was the biggest music festival of the year. There was a snowball’s
chance in hell I’d find my roomie through this sea of people.
“Hey, where’ve you been? I thought I’d have to call out a search
party to find you.” Nick was at my side with a protective hand across
my shoulder, shielding more people from bumping into me.
I thought about Roman’s threat. Then, I shrugged and said, “I
wanted to tell Kenzie something, but…”
He studied my face with concern. “Is everything good? You
want me to take you home?”
I eyed the red cup in Nick’s hand and took it from him, sipping
the remainder of his drink feeling reckless and still riding my high.
“No.” I decided I wasn’t going to allow him to ruin my night ever
again.
“Okay. Cool.” Eventually he guided me away from the crowd.
Back down the hallway that was now semi-crowded. Back to the lair.
Ignoring the warning in my head to leave while I had the chance. I
knew I was tempting the devil, but at this point, I didn’t care.
Roman

I lost it. I was a fucking idiot, and when I saw her in my house
sitting next to Nick. Then, when she admitted being here because of
Nick. It’s like my control went up in flames. Get it. The fuck.
Together. I smoothed a hand over my shirt and stepped into the lair,
scoping out the crowd disdainfully, playing my part, but I wasn’t
really seeing anything. Diversion at its finest. I did my usual, but the
night was different from any other when we hosted a party.
I should’ve been pumped on a natural high. I should’ve been
acting the fool and chugging drinks like all my friends, lapping up
the attention that people so desperately laid on me. I should’ve been
thankful the Falcons were getting national attention after the game
today. We were a small private school nobody really knew about.
When I’d first stepped on campus, we were unknown. But now
people would know our name…Tonight, I knew the stakes and had
one of my best games ever. We’d defeated our hated rivals who
were favored to overtake us in most sports polls before the game.
Belated newsflash with spoilers—they didn’t.
Even that didn’t soothe the seething rage threatening to boil
over when I’d stepped into this room earlier and saw Theodora
sitting next to one of my best friends. Which was irrational, actually,
at face value. Except to me, it wasn’t. Hence, the reason I slipped
away and followed her into Nick’s room with the intent to kick her
ass out. However, I didn’t. Now, my balls were whining about the
way I handled the situation. Literally. Fucking pussies.
“Roman, smile, you just had one of your best games ever.”
Taylor snapped her fingers in front of my face. “You’ve been staring
into space like a whacked out weirdo for five minutes.”
I took a sip and gave her my attention. “I’m fine. Just wound
up.”
“Try to take down your intensity.” She held up two fingers. “Just
a notch.”
I tossed my drink back resolving myself to get rip-roaring drunk.
To hell with Theodora. Why was I even wasting my energy on
her? She’s the one who invaded my space. She’s the one who’d
ripped my heart out when she turned everything we had into
something ugly.
Then, I saw the heavy door to the room open.
And I saw her.
A halo of blond mussed hair bounced with each step she took.
Green eyes glittered with defiance as she flitted across the
room.
On the arm of Nick.
On the fucking arm of my best friend.
She didn’t listen. She didn’t heed my warning.
A thorn in my side she was, I heard a brash crunch echo in my
ears, realizing I crushed the plastic cup in my hand.

Theodora

“Do you want me to walk you up to your room?” Nick had one arm
slung carelessly over the steering wheel of his Ford F-150 Raptor.
 “I can manage. Thank you for taking me home.” I fought a
yawn. Kenzie and Justin wanted to go eat breakfast at the local all-
late night café where all the college kids flocked to and Nick had
joined us. Somehow, it kind of happened that Kenzie rode with
Justin and I ended up with Nick. Not that I was complaining. It was
nice to hang around someone who was fun and charming. Nice to
not feel my heart threatening to crash through my chest bone in a
rush of apprehension. Being with Nick was just nice. And that was
exactly what I needed. Although, I wasn’t immune to the dark gazes
I received throughout the evening from Roman while he partied with
his friends and had Taylor at his side. Surprisingly, he didn’t try to
publicly throw me out or confront me. Maybe he came to his senses.
Or he didn’t deem me so important. Would he always be on my
mind? Stupid girl. Clearly, I was still buzzing from the drinks I had
earlier.
“Not a problem. I like you, Theo.” He slid out of his seat, walked
with a confident swagger around the truck to open my door, helping
me step out. His hand was warm and big as he kept his hold, but it
didn’t send tingles up my skin. Nick was charismatic and looked like
the poster boy for any girl’s ideal dream date. He felt safe and had a
comfortable air about him.
His blue eyes crinkled under the lamplight in the campus
parking lot as we stood. I glanced behind me at the dorms. “Well,
thanks again.” I shifted my feet, not knowing what to say, wondering
if he was going to try to kiss me.
“My pleasure.” He rolled his lips as he continued peering at me.
My hand was still engulfed in his. “Good night, beautiful,” he said
softly and leaned in kissing me on the cheek, his lips lingering before
he pulled away.
I flitted my hand in the air awkwardly. “Good night.” I walked
steadily to the dorms and heard the roar of Nick’s truck engine
behind me. He didn’t drive off until I made it safely through the front
entrance.
Another random document with
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 CHAPTER XI
UDO SEES

WITHIN the hour Ompertz was standing before his employer.

“Well?” Rollmar demanded sharply, as he read the soldier’s face.
“You have failed?”
“I dare not say we have, Excellency,” he answered, determined to
make the best of the business. “I should not like to swear that our
man is not lying at the bottom of the lake with a bullet through him.”
In Rollmar’s searching eyes there was a gleam of savage
satisfaction. “So? But there is a doubt about it, eh?”
“We lost the fellow in the darkness,” Ompertz explained. “But that he
went into the lake is certain, and almost so that he never came out
again. The water of the Mirror Pool is deadly cold, Excellency: he
would need all his hot blood——”
The Chancellor stopped him by an impatient gesture. “I want facts,
not theories, from a soldier. And the fact is you have bungled.”
“More likely that we have saved your Excellency the trouble of a
private execution,” Ompertz rejoined sturdily. “Pesqui swears he hit
him.”
The Chancellor’s contemptuous exclamation showed that he did not
accept that worthy’s view of the matter. “What of the Princess?” he
demanded.
“The Princess thought so too,” the soldier replied imperturbably, “for
she fell into a swoon. It was that which kept me from going to see
whether her lover had been accounted for.”
“And in the meantime he got clear away,” Rollmar said in a sharp
tone of annoyance. “What did the two fools that were with you?”
Ompertz gave a shrug. “They hurried round the bank, one on each
side, and searched thoroughly.”
“When it was too late.”
The Captain seemed, even in that presence, on the verge of losing
his temper. “What could they do, Excellency? They are Italian cats:
they cannot swim in icy water. The Princess’s condition demanded
my attention. I deny that we have failed, or, at least, that we have
bungled.”
“We shall see,” Rollmar said curtly, and dismissed him.
Very early next morning a boat floated out on the lake with two men
in it, the Chancellor and Captain von Ompertz. The glassy water
gave back the two faces which peered over the gunwale, as different
as two physiognomies could well be: one with sharp, cruel, saturnine
features, and a skin like creased parchment; the other full, ruddy,
weather-beaten, its pleasant jovial expression just held in check by
the grim business of the moment. The eyes of both men were keenly
scanning the bottom of the lake, clearly visible through several
fathoms of water; but the object they sought nowhere met their
scrutiny. Over every foot of water which could possibly have been
the theatre of the hoped-for tragedy the boat glided; to and fro,
turning and backing and zig-zagging, with the keen, ruthless face
bent over the bow like a devilish figurehead, its malignant eyes
eager for the sight of a grey face staring up from the white floor
beneath them. Rollmar’s anxiety was proved by the patient care with
which every place, likely and unlikely, was examined; but all without
result. At length he broke sharply what to his companion had been
an uncomfortable silence.
“Row back to the boat-house. It is as I thought. You have bungled.”
The accusation could not, judged by the result, be very well denied,
but the free-lance was not the man to let judgment go by default.
“From no lack of zeal, Excellency,” he protested as he set himself to
the sculls.
“Zeal!” There was an infinity of contempt and annoyance in the word.
“Better lack zeal than sense.”
Captain von Ompertz looked redder than the exertion of rowing
would account for. “I do not see, Excellency,” he argued sturdily,
“where we failed in sense.”
He was failing therein now, for wisdom will not argue with a
disappointed, angry man.
“Then I will tell you,” Rollmar returned, as though not unwilling to
have vent for his spleen. “The man you sought was in that building;
there were three of you, and you let him escape. All the wit shown in
the business he may fairly claim. You should have sent one of your
men round and cut off his escape on this side.”
“That I did, Excellency. I sent Forli round,” Ompertz assured him
promptly. “It was hardly my fault that in creeping along the narrow
parapet he slipped and fell into the water, thereby losing time.”
The boat touched the landing-stage. Without troubling to continue
the discussion, Rollmar stepped ashore and walked off quickly,
followed by the discountenanced but still jaunty Captain.
On reaching home Rollmar sent for his son. “Udo,” he said, “you see
much of the Court doings. I must find out who the man is for whom
the Princess has taken this foolish fancy. Have you any idea?”
The young man threw himself on a couch with a moody head-shake.
“I have seen nothing of it, father. She always seems cold and distant
to every one alike.”
“And yet there is a—lover.”
Udo winced. The idea stung him as with the flick of a whip.
“You are sure of that?” he asked, hoping for a doubt.
“Quite. I nearly had the fellow caught last night.”
“And you have no idea who he is?” Udo asked incredulously.
The Baron shook his head. “None. The fact is not flattering to our
system, but this, you see, is an affair which must be handled with the
greatest delicacy and secrecy. Should a breath of scandal reach
Beroldstein, our hopes in that quarter would be annihilated. Now,
keep your eyes open, my dear boy; I must find out who the man is.
The affair must be stopped at once. He shall not escape me again.”
Udo nodded and rose. His foxy eyes and sharp features did not look
as though they needed any especial incentive to watchfulness
beyond nature’s prompting. At the door he turned and asked, with a
certain jealous curiosity, “When you catch the fellow, what are you
going to do with him?”
As the eyes of father and son met significantly, it would have been
difficult to say which shot forth the greater malignity; the only
difference was that in Udo’s it was natural, in the Baron’s it seemed
rather acquired by the practice of a relentless state-craft. “He must
pay the usual penalty of high treason,” he answered.
Udo’s sharp look broadened into a meaning smile. “In such a
manner that neither the offence nor the punishment is likely to reach
interested ears.”
“Assuredly,” said the Chancellor.

Not a word had come to Princess Ruperta as a consequence of the

night’s adventure. No word to tell her whether her lover was dead or
alive, no sign of punishment for her escapade, no hint even that it
was known. Her father was pompously kind as usual, proud of her
imperious beauty, for which he took the credit. So the Chancellor,
who, of course, knew, had not thought it proper to tell his royal
master; for whatever the Duke’s faults were, he was no dissembler.
But this, the consequence to herself, scarcely troubled the Princess
in the terrible suspense she endured through the uncertainty of her
lover’s fate. When the first paroxysm of despair was over and she
had recovered from her swoon, her habitual self-command
reasserted itself, and she gave way no more to her feelings. Only
Minna, who knew her so well, could guess from a mere shade’s
difference in her manner how deep and bitter they were. On one
point only was she unrestrained, that was in blaming herself and
Minna for inviting Ludovic to what they had had every reason to
know might prove a death-trap. For that he had met his death the
Princess was sure, although every beat of her heart incited her to
doubt it. She read in the silence which was kept towards her that all
was over; the merciless hand had shut and clasped for ever the book
wherein those sweet words were written. Ah, she could not endure
the thought that the voice whose whispered tones had vibrated every
chord within her was silent, that the arm that had protected her and
clasped her in that dear embrace was cold for evermore. Hers had
been a starved life, and now when the wave of love for which she
was athirst rippled to her parched lips, it was driven back by this
storm of tragedy. Her whole nature now turned in fierce rebellion
against the annihilator of her happiness. As the hours went by the
torture of an unavailing despair became intolerable. The passion
within her was none the less intense that it was voiceless; her rage
against Rollmar seemed to have spread itself into every fibre of her
body. That she had been rash in leading her lover into a trap in no
wise altered the vileness of the fact that the trap was set. Had
Ludovic really been taken in it? Minna was persistent and never
wavered, at least ostensibly, in her belief that he had escaped. But
her mistress brushed aside every theory that argued for his safety.
“You might know the Baron by this,” she said, resenting the flattering
insistence of false hopes. “He does not make a mistake ever. His
methods are as sure as they are remorseless. I caught a glimpse of
him from the window just now. It was not the face of a man who had
failed.”
“I might retort, dear Highness,” maintained Minna, “that you might
know him well enough to put no trust in that ugly, wrinkled mask. You
will learn nothing from our amiable Baron.”
“But I will,” Ruperta exclaimed impetuously. “I will. He shall tell me
what he has done. I will challenge him this very night. There is no
secret now between us; and if there were, the time for fearing him is
past. Happily, this abominable scheme has given me a hold over
him, and he shall see that he has not a baby to deal with.”
There was a reception that night at the Palace, and Princess
Ruperta kept her word. No one who saw her as she entered the Hall
of Audience could have guessed her sufferings. Except that she was
slightly flushed, she seemed cold and proud and as magnificently
beautiful as ever. When the formal reception was over, the Duke
descended from the daïs and stood chatting with the members of his
immediate circle. The general company began to circulate in the hall
and the suite of state apartments which led from it, and the hum of a
subdued conversation rose.
Princess Ruperta, watching her opportunity, met Rollmar as, putting
an end to what seemed the somewhat inconvenient questioning of
one of the foreign representatives, he turned away in his abrupt
manner and left the royal circle.
A less acute man would have recognized that she had planted
herself in his way with an object, but he gave no sign that he so
understood it, his face showing nothing but a courtier’s smile as he
bowed before her. The Court etiquette kept clear a space round
them, so that the low tones of their talk could not well be overheard,
although curious glances might note the remarkable contrast
between the withered old man and the radiant beauty.
Ruperta came to the point at once, since it was doubtful how long
opportunity might serve her.
“You, or rather your hirelings, took a strange liberty last night, Baron.”
Her voice was just steady, but he knew the effort it cost her. An old
diplomatist and word-fencer, he never hesitated to cut short his party
when he saw an opening for a riposte. He looked up from his bow
into the proud, indignant face.
“One which was forced upon me by the liberty which your Highness
has been so unwise as to permit yourself.”
He spoke with the firmness and confidence of a strong will and the
prestige of successful statesmanship. But she met unflinchingly even
the electric touch of his dominant personality.
“It is abominable,” she said. “I will not submit to your interference.”
Glancing at her sharply with those unfathomable eyes, he just gave
a slight deprecating drop of the head as he replied firmly—
“Not mine, Princess, but the State’s.”
“The State’s!” she echoed hotly. “You take too much upon yourself. I
will not submit to it. You may rule my father, but you shall not control
my actions.”
He was looking at her fixedly now. There was little of the courtier
about the old minister as he retorted pointedly, “It is a pity your
Highness should render control from outside a necessity.”
Her teeth were set in her lip till it was as white as her complexion.
Only the heaving of her bosom betrayed the force of her excitement.
“It is neither necessary nor acceptable,” she returned imperiously. All
this time the question she longed, yet dreaded to ask, was at her
lips, yet unspoken, as though she were fearful to invoke the spectre
of the truth. Yet she felt that to be thus at issue with Rollmar was
purposeless and undignified; it was certainly not for that she had
accosted him. Now she felt she must put the question, let the
consequences be what they might. She took a steadying breath, but
there was just a little flinching drop of the eyes, and then, in a voice
which would have struck a passing observer as quietly cold, almost
indifferent, she said—
“As you have gone to last night’s unwarrantable lengths, may I ask,
Baron, the result of your creatures’ attack?”
“Ah!” The suspicion of a smile softened for an instant the hard, dry
mask that confronted her. Had he suspected her reason for alluding
to a subject she would naturally have avoided? Anyhow, it was
patent now. “The result,” he answered slowly, “I cannot tell you.”
She gave a look of something like disgust at his almost brutal want
of consideration. Did he mean to force her to question him further,
and so incidentally acknowledge the facts of her part in the affair? It
was hateful, yet, she told herself, quite like him. She wished she
could strike him dead as he stood there before her mocking her
almost frantic anxiety with a smile of infinite evasion. Was the man a
fiend that he would not speak more fully? The answer he had given
her was truly Delphic. It might mean nothing, and, what was more
probable, it might mean the worst. Still, as she had stooped to ask,
she would press her question now till she got a tangible answer.
“I wish to know,” she said insistently, “what happened to the person
whom you set your men to attack?”
But for a trace of temper she was quite calm now. The chill of
despair was creeping over her, and the racking suspense gave way
before it. Rollmar looked at her curiously, almost as though
wondering whether he might attribute her calm to a callousness akin
to his own.
“Your question, Princess,” he replied with the same Sphinx-like
closeness, “is perhaps one which is better left unanswered.”
“All the same, I must have an answer,” she persisted.
“Then,” he said, with uncompromising decision, “I have to tell your
Highness that you will not be troubled any more by the person to
whom I presume you refer.”
Into his eyes, which were fixed with calm severity on her face, there
flashed a look of surprise. A rapid and unaccountable change had
come over her expression. Was she actress enough to receive a
stab in the heart with an air of joy? For the sudden light in her eyes
was surely nothing else. But for an instant was he at a loss; then he
turned quickly and looked behind him. The crowd was moving to and
fro, talking, laughing, all decorously as under the royal eye; the
Chancellor’s sharp and significant scrutiny caused many a furtive
glance at the pair, and perhaps cried halt to more than one
unguarded remark. His quick, rapacious eyes took in every detail of
the human medley, then suddenly glanced back, keen as a hawk’s,
to his companion’s face. But the look which had startled him had
gone. He saw nothing but a cold self-possession with just a
suspicion of triumph in the half-contemptuous eyes.
“You have answered my question, Baron,” she said simply, and
without the mocking lip he looked for; “and I thank you. It is well to
know our friends—and our enemies.”
“Your Highness,” he returned, “will never have anything but a true
friend in Adrian Rollmar.”
“Whose deeds to secure her happiness will speak for themselves.”
The mockery was there now, as, with a slight bow, she turned and
left him.
Your man of action is never left standing at a loss by discomfiture.
With purposeful alacrity, Rollmar turned away on his side and looked
for his son.
“Udo,” he said, when, as in response to a sign, the young man joined
him, “the man is here. The man we seek: Princess Ruperta’s lover.”
“Ah, where is he? Let us——”
The Baron made a restraining gesture. “I do not know him even by
sight; have no idea who he is; but that he is here I am certain. Watch
the Princess. I will have my men ready. To-night must see the end of
this folly.”
It was not long before the Princess, her every sense of observation
quickened by excitement, became aware that the sharp eyes of Udo
Rollmar were following her every movement. The same whisper that
told Minna of Ludovic’s safety warned her of the spy.
“You must contrive to put him on his guard,” she said, “while I draw
Captain Udo away. But, above all, beware of the Baron. I cannot see
him, but feel sure he is watching from his spider’s corner.”
When they had separated, and Minna, on the arm of the vainest and,
consequently, the most stupid Court popinjay she could find, had
strolled off in search of Ludovic, the Princess signed graciously to
Udo and brought that fierce little fox to her side.
“You are quite determined to avoid us to-night, Captain von Rollmar,”
she said, forcing a spirit of banter with the man she now loathed.
Udo’s glance, as it met hers, changed from one of artful resentment
to a certain fiery admiration. With the object he had in view, it was,
he felt, waste of time to talk to her; he would have preferred to watch
and mark down her lover, thereby at one stroke appeasing his own
jealousy and paying her for the trick she had played him. But in the
veins of the fox-like little Captain, while he had much of his father’s
malicious keenness, ran warmer blood, and he was thus liable to a
weakness against which assuredly the Chancellor was proof. The
flush of excitement, of joy at the sight of her lover, had given a
radiance to Princess Ruperta’s beauty and an animation, an
exaltation which it usually lacked. To-night it was perfect, striking,
irresistible. It flashed down upon the cunning little face before her,
the sharp, crafty eyes with their red lashes, the carefully turned-up
moustache, and general dandified treatment of a natural
repulsiveness; and in that flash it took and held captive the
treacherous mind opposed to her. For that mind told him he had
never seen such radiant, imperious beauty. To turn his back upon it
when there was an opportunity of luxuriating in it would be the act of
a Stoic or a madman, and he was neither. He was quite shrewd
enough to know there was but a poor chance for him in the long run,
that even now he was but favoured for a purpose; but then he was
vain, and the future flattered him with possibilities, vague, desperate,
yet not unachievable. At least, his father’s schemes and his own
vindictiveness could wait for half an hour.
“If that was your idea, Highness,” he replied, “you might have
attributed my seeming avoidance to the consciousness that my
society might not be welcome.”
She laughed. Reading in his eyes the effect she was working, she
took care to keep him well under the spell. “Since when has Captain
Udo von Rollmar grown diffident?”
“Since his Princess showed him clearly, if unintentionally, that his
company was only welcome as a means to an end.”
Still smarting under the trick, he could not resist the taunt. But she
lightly ignored it.
“A means to an end? Is not that the reason of all good
companionship? What better end than pleasure?”
Though the voice and half confidential manner thrilled him almost to
intoxication, he knew that the words were quibbling and insincere,
that the woman was fighting for her lover with every wit sharpened
by the exigency of the situation. But that merely spurred his
determination to pursue this forlorn hope. At least, sincere or
insincere, she was giving him a lead; who could blame him if he
followed it? And, after all, if nothing better came of it, retaliation lay
that way. Even an august princess should not make him foot this
fool’s dance without paying the piper.
“The pleasure, my Princess,” he replied craftily, “may be one-sided.”
She gave him a quick, offended glance. “How do you mean? One-
sided?”
“Do not misunderstand me,” he pursued. “I should have said
disproportionate. The slight pleasure which you are gracious enough
to acknowledge, my Princess, may be a dear joy, a terrible pleasure
to me.”
If its origin was in craft, he felt as he looked at her that the sentiment
was true enough. It was, indeed, a dangerous beauty; one to hurry a
man to the pit of despair; and as he drank it in he found himself
vowing it should not be so with him.
They had left the great Hall of Audience and were in one of the
smaller of the state reception rooms. So far her purpose was
accomplished, and one of the spies held safe where he could work
no harm.
“You take,” she said, “the matter too seriously.”
“Can any one blame me for that, gracious Princess?” he returned,
feeling his way cautiously since he knew well her power of setting
presumption down.
“Of course I am to blame,” she suggested, hiding with a smile her
distaste for the business she was about.
“Are you not?” he rejoined, growing bolder as his determination to
profit by her complaisance increased. “If I dared to ask you to put
yourself for one moment in my place. To get a smile from the
loveliest woman in Europe, to be permitted to walk by her side, to
talk to her without restraint, in short, to be lifted from this common
world into another and a glorious sphere; then to know that he must
fall back to the cold earth again after those moments of Heaven;
Princess, imagine this and say whether the author of this desolation
would deserve blame or pity.”
He spoke with a feeling and impetuousness which were foreign to
him, and, as she listened in little more than curiosity, she wondered
whether it was feigned or true. If genuine, she could have little pity
for the man, and if false, none. But she realized as the speech grew
warmer that the situation was becoming unpleasant.
“You are determined to make friendship a terribly serious business,”
she said with gentle irresponsiveness. “Now, will you in turn try to put
yourself in my place? Then you will see how barren and lonely a life
must be which is denied pleasant intercourse with its fellows.”
“The fire must burn alone,” he replied. “The more glowing it is the
farther we must keep from it unless we would be consumed.”
She laughed. “Poor fellow! And you are scorched?”
Perhaps her laugh stung him, for, as they sat together, he turned to
her fiercely.
“I am scorched,” he answered with intensity. “It is for you to say
whether it shall be to the death.”
Something in his manner made her check the part she was playing.
“I do not understand you, Captain von Rollmar,” she said, as she
rose with a touch of proud dignity.
He sprang up and stood before her. “I hope that each of us
misunderstands the other,” he said meaningly.
“How?” she demanded, with the imperious light in her eyes.
He had got past restraint now, and was aggressively insistent. “I
mean,” he went on, “that I have suspected you of playing a trick
upon me, of showing me unlooked-for, unhoped-for favour to further
a certain purpose. How else could I account for your gracious
condescension?”
There was a touch of mockery in his speech. She welcomed it, at
least it was better than tenderness. But it was, considering their
positions, rude and she resented it.
“You are using a freedom which is the best reproof to my mistake,”
she said coldly. “It is scarcely gallant or respectful to suggest that I
have played a trick upon you.”
“You compel me, Princess, to speak plainly,” he retorted. “If your high
station does not prevent your using your powers to amuse yourself
with me it is hardly fair to screen yourself behind it. I am not the fool
you have sought to make me. I know you have a lover.”
She flushed. “You are insolent, Captain von Rollmar. It is you who
avail yourself of your father’s position to take strange liberties.
Please do not say any more. I am sorry that I took any notice of you.”
She moved sideways to get past him, but he still barred her way. “Do
not add to your discourtesy,” she said with chilling contempt.
He showed no heed of her command, standing before her with
lowering face and ablaze with passion. “You must hear me,
Princess,” he insisted hoarsely. “There are spirits easier to call up
than to lay. You spoke just now of my father, of his position,” he
continued rapidly, as though determined to get out the speech which
was at his lips. “That position is one of the most powerful in Europe;
and, incidentally, it places me, his son, almost on a level with you.
No, hear me out,” for with an exclamation of impatient scorn, she
had moved away. “So there is nothing so very ridiculous and
unheard-of in my pretensions.”
“Your pretensions?” she repeated, disdainfully smiling.
“My pretensions,” he maintained doggedly, “to love you, to seek your
hand.”
“Captain von Rollmar, are you mad?” she cried.
“Not at all,” he returned resolutely.
“Putting aside the absurdity of these pretensions of yours,” she said,
content to argue and so gain time, while expecting every moment
would bring Minna to her rescue, “you forget that, by your father’s
policy, my hand is already bestowed.”
“I think, Princess,” he retorted, “that since you forget it, I may be
pardoned for ignoring it.”
The reply was natural and obvious enough, but from the speaker it
was more, it was intolerable.
“At least,” she rejoined haughtily, “if I turn aside from the way Baron
von Rollmar has marked out for me I may at least be permitted to
take which path I choose.”
“You have scarcely chosen wisely,” he said with a curious softening
of his aggressive manner. “The path you are treading leads to
danger. Let me conduct you to a safe one leading to happiness,
Princess,” he continued earnestly, and his face lighted by the glow of
his ardour came as near to beauty as such a face could, “there is
only one man on earth in whose favour my father would renounce
his cherished scheme. Any other who aspires to you simply courts
his own destruction. You have to choose between Prince Ludwig,
who treats you as I know you of all women hate to be treated, with
neglect and worse, you must choose between him and me, who love
you to adoration.”
“Must I?”
He searched her eyes for the effect of his pleading, since her tone
gave no clue, but these were equally cold.
“There is no other alternative,” he protested, taking her exclamation
as a simple question and ignoring its possible note of defiance.
“Then,” she retorted, “it is open to me to make one.”
“No, no. It is madness,” he protested. “Is there need, my sweetest
Princess? Why will you misjudge me? Were we married we could
defy——”
“I have listened to your absurdities too long,” she exclaimed with a
flash of scorn. “Enough! Never!”
But as she moved away, this time with determination, he seized her
hand. “Princess,” he urged resolutely, “you shall hear me. You shall
return the love you have called forth. You make me desperate, and
——”
She, looking past him, gave a little cry. Instantly he dropped the hand
he was by force keeping and turned. A man was in the doorway, a
man with set face and eyes as those of one who stares at the
wavering balance of his fate. There was for the moment a pause of
speechless embarrassment, then Ludovic, with a bow and muttered
apology, passed out of sight.
But as Udo turned back to his companion she saw with fear that his
look had changed from annoyance to triumph.
“Your lover?” he asked in a tone that needed no answer. “At last he
is found. You had better grant my prayer, Princess.”
Fate, he realized, had in that moment put a weapon into his hands.
How well it would serve he had yet to determine, but at least he
would use it. And Ruperta on her part, in that unlooked-for crisis,
debated in desperation what line she would take.
“Your prayer?” she repeated to gain time for her feverish thoughts to
take shape.
“Accept my love,” he insisted.
“And why, pray?” she asked, coldly indifferent once more, “because
that man was a witness to your unmannerly behaviour?”
His face darkened. “That man was your lover.”
“Indeed? Then I must have two,” she said ambiguously.
He was baffled but would not show it “You may only have one by
sunrise,” he rejoined viciously, significantly.
Minna came in.
“Is it love or hate?” he demanded quickly.
“Neither, I hope,” Ruperta returned, with a laugh.
 CHAPTER XII
IN THE MERCURY PAVILION

“I HAVE found your man I think,” Udo said to his father.

“Ah? Who is he?”
“That I propose to find out. A stranger.”
The Chancellor looked serious. “Are you sure? How can the
Princess have become acquainted with a stranger?”
Udo gave a shrug. “At least he is known enough to be here. Come; I
will show him to you.”
They strolled observantly through the rooms. “There! The man in the
foreign uniform talking to General Rovigno.”
“So!” The hawk’s glance had marked down the victim. “You are
certain, Udo?”
“Hardly enough, perhaps, to send the fellow to the fate that awaits
him,” Udo answered casually. “But I will make certain. It is a mere
question of watching.”
“Better find out first who he is,” the Chancellor observed. He signed
to a resplendent Court official who immediately came up with a bow.
“I do not recognize that young officer, Herr Oberkammerer.”
“Possibly not, Excellency,” the functionary replied with another bow.
“He is a stranger visiting the country. He comes from Beroldstein. His
name is Lieutenant von Bertheim.”
“From Beroldstein? You are sure?”
“Quite, Excellency. He came furnished with a Court introduction
through the Drax-Beroldstein embassy. Is there any reason for
objecting——”
“Oh, no,” Rollmar protested. “A very distinguished looking young
man. Thank you, Herr Oberkammerer.”
He turned away from the ceremonious official and drew Udo aside.
“Make certain,” he said; “and as soon as you have put the matter
beyond a doubt, let me know.”
He thought the identity quite feasible, still a blunder was a thing he
detested. Before striking he must make sure.
And Udo watched lynxlike for the confirmation of his guess; shrewdly
keeping observation on the Princess rather than on her suspected
lover. But for that untoward episode of a few minutes before, he
might have watched till the sharp green eyes grew tired without
detecting what he sought. Von Bertheim had been cunningly warned
by Minna and was not likely to betray the Princess or himself by the
slightest sign. But now discovery was threatened by Ruperta’s
distress. A pretty greeting, she told herself bitterly, she had given the
lover who had a few hours before risked his life for her, whom she
might have been supposed to believe dead, to be surprised in the
act of allowing another man to make love to her. Ludovic’s face had
shown his mortification, he had seen enough for that, too little to
comprehend the real nature of the scene. He would know she was
not a woman to permit an admirer to go to that length unchecked
unless she were willing. She was pre-eminently one who could fence
herself round with a cold indifference which no unacceptable ardour
could melt. The unlucky moment had found her in a hatefully false
position, one of which the mere thought was intolerable. She must at
all hazards set it right, and, above all, warn her lover against the
Rollmars and their manifest designs. That she would run a terrible
risk was obvious, but, at least to Ludovic von Bertheim, the danger
was pressing in any event.
“Come,” she said to Minna, “I must speak to him, must warn him.”
“Your highness!” the girl remonstrated. “No, no. It is sheer madness.
I have already warned him. If it must be repeated, let me speak to
him.”
But Ruperta was determined. “Come with me. Trust me to take care.
I am no fool.”
The throng was thinning now; some had left, many were at supper.
The Princess could go where she would without the irksomeness of
finding a lane opening for her, or the risk of being jostled.
“I last saw him in the Vandyke room,” Minna said. They strolled arm
in arm through the rooms, the Princess greeting many of the guests
as they passed. Ludovic was still where Minna had left him, still
talking or rather listening to the garrulous old General.
“Take care,” Minna said in a warning undertone, “Udo is watching
us.”
Ruperta laughed. They passed through the room without noticing
von Bertheim by more than a return of the bow with which he and his
companion saluted them. “Oh, that noble Udo, that preux chevalier,”
was Ruperta’s mocking comment. “Let us turn. Now keep your eyes
open for the red fox. Ah, he is gone.”
“At least he is invisible,” Minna said, on her guard.
As they passed von Bertheim and the General the Princess’s
handkerchief fell. Ludovic saw and sprang forward to restore it. She
stopped for an instant and took it from him. Several people had
come into the room and saw the action; none of them could have
noticed in it more than a common incident of courtesy. They could
not dream that the receiving hand thrilled that which gave with a
quick pressure, that the murmured words were far more than those
of thanks. Only one pair of sharp, avid, ravening eyes, suddenly
visible from their ambush, saw what they desired, yet hated to see,
saw proof of what had been conjecture, saw a near and certain
revenge. It was enough. The jealous, vindictive glance just lingered
for a moment on the pleasant sight of death in that face which raised
itself in happy confidence; then the gallant Udo von Rollmar turned
with a smile of satisfaction and hurried to his father.
“It is as well to be certain,” observed the Chancellor with his cynical
smile, as he nodded his acceptance of the information. “You may
leave the affair to me, Udo.”
“Can I be of any use?”
“You? No. My men are ready. It is butcher’s work.”
Ten minutes later a written message, signed R., was mysteriously
put into the Lieutenant’s hand bidding him wait in the little garden
pavilion which stood in the shrubbery a short distance from the
place. It was called the Pavilion of Mercury, from a figure by which it
was surmounted. He had freed himself from the General’s somewhat
boring prolixity and was debating with himself whether he should
stay or go, when the message was brought him by a little page of
honour. In delight that he had waited and so not missed it, he made
his way out into the palace grounds, taking heed that his movements
were not too curiously observed. The words which Ruperta had
spoken when he restored her handkerchief had been enough to allay
the doubts with which the scene he had witnessed with Udo Rollmar
had filled his mind. Indeed it was almost inconceivable that a girl of
the Princess’s character could be captivated by a man like the
Chancellor’s son. And now the full explanation of that equivocal
situation would doubtless be given him.
Von Ompertz had received his orders, the most distasteful of his life,
and stood with his two satellites waiting grimly for his man. He had
on the first shock of Rollmar’s order, met it by a refusal. It was
indeed, as the Chancellor had designated it, butcher’s work, and he
was a soldier with the strain of his innate nobility ever ready to
assume, sometimes to his detriment, the function of a conscience.
He loved fighting for its own sake and was ready enough to slay his
fellow man in hot blood; but in cold? To become a midnight
assassin? Pfui! It went against that same make-shift conscience of
his. But the astute old reader of men’s characters and motives had
made short work of his objection, although he judged it prudent to
condescend to a certain amount of persuasive argument. It was a
State service, this deed which looked so black; far more important in
its way than the killing of a score of the Duke’s enemies in battle.
The honour of an illustrious house, of a royal name, was deeply
concerned; only to a man like the Captain, of absolute
trustworthiness, of honourable principles above the run of his class,
could the secret vindication of the royal honour be entrusted. And
then there was the obvious ugly alternative should the quixotic
refusal be persisted in. The rope round Captain von Ompertz’s neck
was only loosened, it was still there, but this service would make him
quit of it altogether.
So the free-lance, seeing this was no situation for trifling, was fain to
buy his life by consenting to what he tried to persuade himself was a
bounden if disagreeable duty to the State whose hospitality he had
enjoyed and to its Minister whose pay he was taking, and who, after
all, was a better judge of the act’s justification than he himself could
be.
Accordingly he had taken his station, secure from notice, at a point
among the azalea bushes which commanded the path leading from
below the terrace to the Mercury Pavilion. He saw a man’s figure
emerge from the shadow of the high parapet and advance quickly
along the alley which ran a few yards in front of where they stood.
He made a sign to the two who waited behind him, and all three
crouched down expectantly.
Von Bertheim came on steadily, unsuspectingly. They could hear his
footsteps, now passing close to their ambush, presently striking the
stone step of the pavilion and entering. Like feline beasts of prey
they crept toward their quarry; Ompertz with a campaigner’s expert
caution, the two Italians with the fell litheness of tracking leopards.
Noiselessly they gained the alley and now retreat was cut off, the
trap was complete.
“Wait here,” he whispered, motioning back the cutthroats at his side.
“If I need you I will call.”
But one pressed forward at his shoulder. “Better make sure this time,
Captain,” he urged.
However, Ompertz preferred to do the ill work his own way. In his
idea the victim, being, as the uniform had told him, a soldier, should
meet his death at the hands of a soldier, not at those of a
professional spy and assassin which he shrewdly suspected to be
the vocation of his two assistants.