Page 103 of From Rome, With Hate

“I don’t need to understand anything. I don’t need to understand this ridiculous lie that you’re married to Rome.”

“But I am.” Her tear-filled eyes scan the room filled with our friends and family. “I’ve been married to Rome for ten years. Longer than we’ve known anyone else in this room.”

My jaw practically drops to the fucking floor.

“Oh, fuck.” West’s cheeks puff as he blows out a heavy breath and wraps a steadying arm around his fiancé London. “Perhaps we should go. This sounds like a family matter.”

“Are you kidding? We can’t leave now.” London swats at West, her mouth agape. “Besides, this does have to do with us. Holt is my brother-in-law.”

“I think West might be right.” Asher stands, sliding out from his chair. “The four of us should go. Come on, Charleigh.”

Asher slips into his suede coat before placing his hand on the small of his wife’s back, inching closer to the front door.

“Don’t leave. This isn’t a family matter because Romeisn’tfamily,” I argue, curling my top lip. “Get the fuck out of my house, Montgomery.”

“We’re not leaving until you hear us out, Holt.” Julianna steps closer, crossing her arms. Fuck, she’s always been defiant.

“I don’t need to hear anything.”

“You owe me at least a little.” She cuts me a bitter glare. “I know about Rhys.”

A bone-chilling sensation snakes around my spine.

Julianna and I stare at each other in a silent standoff.

“Yeah,” London concedes in a high pitch tone. “Maybe we should go.”

I know the last thing London wants to do is talk about Rhys O’Connell, considering what happened to her ex-husband.Our friends hug Selene, muttering their goodbyes to me and Julianna from a distance.

Nearly everyone is out the door before Rome is turning toward Asher. “Congratulations, Asher,” he offers him. “For your marriage and your baby on the way.”

“Oh.” Asher blinks, shocked by Rome’s comments. “Erm, thank you, Rome.” He gives me a side-eye before inhaling a deep breath. He’s my best friend and I get his silent message straight away.

Be nice and hear them out.

“We’ll catch up with you later,” he says to the four of us before leaving my apartment.

All that’s left is just Selene, Julianna, Rome, and me. Oh, and Luca.

“Am I safe to take the baby yet?” Selene asks, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. “I’d like to get him back to his crib.”

“I don’t know.” Julianna pops a brow at me. “Is Selene safe to take the baby?”

I shoot Rome invisible daggers, remembering all the times he’s tormented our family growing up. The constant teasing and bullying. Late night talks after finding Julianna crying in the corner of her bedroom because Rome had teased and humiliated her for the hundredth time.

“Dropping that lawsuit was the least he could do after the years of torture he put our family through,” I grind out.

Luca stirs in my arms, and Selene steps closer, placing her hand on my arm. I finally turn from Rome and look at my wife.

Her bright green eyes have softened. “Please, Holt. I think you should hear what they have to say. Trust me.”

I swallow thickly, staring at my beautiful wife. I do trust her. Fuck, I trust her.

She holds her hands out, and I reluctantly pass her our son. He stirs only for a second until he realizes he’s safe in his mother’s arms.

Selene carries Luca toward his bedroom, glancing over her shoulder at the three of us. A faint smile plays on her lips before she’s disappearing down the hallway.

“Holt.” Julianna’s voice pulls me back to them.