Page 129 of Bound By Blood and Lies

“It’s a boy,” I choke out with a watery laugh. “Can you believe that? Roman keeps pretending he’s calm about it but he’s already obsessed with him.”

A sound breaks beside me. I look up instantly and my heart physically cracks at the sight of Roman. Tears stream openly down his face as he stares at his mum’s coffin like he’s trying not to completely fall apart in front of everybody. Then the first full sob leaves him and it’s so full of pain I bow my head because it feels too intimate to witness.

“I’ll look after your boys,” I whisper shakily against the coffin. “I promise. I’ll love them enough for both of us. I’ll love Roman through this and I’ll make sure your grandson grows up knowing exactly who you were.”

“I’m sorry,” I sob quietly as my throat burns. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you.”

Silence stretches around us except for the rain and the quiet hymn echoing through the cemetery. I stand, latching onto Roman’s hand before looking up at him.

“Would you like a moment alone?” I whisper and he glances at me.

“Please,” he croaks out and I nod.

I press one final kiss against my fingertips and lay them softly against the coffin. Then I force myself to turn and walk away from the grave on shaking legs. Felix catches my eye from across the cemetery instantly before he walks to meet me and escort me back under the shelter. I turn around and take in Roman as the rain runs down the sharp lines of his face and he stares at the coffin below.

Slowly, the congregation begins drifting away from the grave in quiet clusters. Umbrellas disappear through the rain whilst the hymn fades into nothing more than soft murmurs and footsteps against wet earth. Some people linger long enough to offer condolences to Roman from a distance, but nobody dares interrupt him whilst he stands over Fiona’s coffin.

I stay where I am as my fingers twist anxiously together. Felix stands silently beside me. Eventually Roman moves. His shoulders rise with a heavy breath before he drags a hand over his soaked face and starts walking back toward us through the rain. Mud clings to the bottom of his trousers and water drips steadily from his shaved hair. The second he reaches me I immediately step into him, and his arms wrap around me.

“I’m not going to ask if you’re okay,” I whisper against his chest because the answer is obvious. “But I just want you to know I love you.”

He lowers his head enough for his forehead to rest against mine. “I love you too, Tink.”

His mouth presses against mine and the kiss tastes like rainwater and grief. A throat clears nearby and I glance up to find the priest standing awkwardly near us. His expression is sympathetic.

“There are a few Founder documents that need signing in the office before everybody leaves,” the priest says carefully.

Roman’s jaw flexes once before he nods. “I’ll come now.”

I squeeze his hand gently. “I’m just going to use the bathroom.”

“Okay,” he murmurs.

The priest leads us towards the church and as we step inside Roman turns toward the church offices whilst I head down the quieter side corridor near the back of the building. The sounds of the funeral grow fainter the further I walk until eventually the only thing left is the rain hammering against stained-glass windows. My heels click against the stone floor as I wring water from my hair. Then another pair of footsteps echoes behind me. I turn to find Harding stepping out from the shadows near one of the alcoves and his cold, dead eyes look at me. I take a step backwards but my spine hits stone and I grit my teeth.

How many more times do I need to get cornered in this fucking place?

“Well,” he says, almost amused. “Would you look at that. The little assassin all dressed in black. It suits you. It does make me wonder when I will next see you wearing it.”

Fear crawls down my spine, but I force my face blank as I straighten against the wall instead of shrinking into it. His eyes drift slowly down toward my stomach before lifting back to my face.

“Fuck off, Harding, your fragile ego is bleeding all over this church.”

“Hmm,” he taps his lips with two fingers, “not the first time someone’s bled here, is it?”

“Fuck you,” I spit.

He tips his head back and forces out a booming laugh before stepping closer to me. His face turns to stone as his nostrils flare.

“You’ve caused this Company a lot of issues, little swallow.”

I look past him, trying to search for the exits. I’m completely boxed in and I swallow a sigh. My only hope is that Roman won’t be too long and he will come and look for me. I refuse to answer as my gaze flicks back to Harding. I raise my chin and plant my feet firmly on the floor to make sure I’m balanced in case the worst happens.

“You really thought killing Longstaff would end this?”

My pulse starts thudding harder in my throat. Rain lashes violently against the stained-glass windows beside us whilst Harding takes another slow step forward. My fingers twitch automatically at my sides like my body is searching for weapons that aren’t there.

“The Company was rotten long before Bradley,” he murmurs. “And it’ll stay rotten long after him too.”