Page 10 of Possessed By Roman

That’s all he says as he reaches for my bag, and we continue toward the jet. I follow him up the stairs and into a completely different life. A few hours ago, I was worried about an exam.

Now my father is missing. I have an encrypted drive containing evidence against someone dangerous. And I’m flying to Atlanta with a former Navy SEAL who looks like he could kill someone with his bare hands.

The worst part is that I should be terrified of him. Instead, every time I look at Roman Taylor, I feel a little safer. And a lot more attracted to him than I have any right to be.

Chapter Two

Roman

By the time the jet touches down in Atlanta, Cora has gone quiet. The bright, energetic woman who had spent most of the flight asking me questions has disappeared beneath a layer of worry that seems to grow heavier with every passing minute. I understand it. Her father is missing.

The only thing we know for certain is that Dan knew enough about Alexander Duggan to believe his daughter was in danger. And that knowledge sits heavily in my chest as I watch Cora gather her things.

Before we landed, I called Royal and explained enough of the situation for him to understand why I needed him at the airport. I didn’t give him every detail over the phone. But I told him Dan was missing, Cora had the encrypted drive he had sent her, and there was a good chance someone had already been watching us.

Royal had been quiet for a few seconds before telling me he would be waiting. Of course, he is. The man could be in the middle of a fucking hurricane and still somehow arrive exactly where he said he would.

Cora follows me off the jet. She looks tired, worried, and completely out of place. Royal is waiting beside a black SUV when we reach the bottom of the stairs. Cora slows. Royal notices her immediately and straightens from where he has been leaning against the vehicle.

Unlike me, he isn’t dressed entirely in black, but he still has the same dangerous edge the rest of us tend to carry around without trying. He looks between me and Cora, taking in her appearance before his attention settles on me.

“This her?”

I nod. “Cora, this is Royal.”

Her gaze moves to him. “Hi.”

Royal nods. “Good to meet you, Cora.”

She looks at me. Then at Royal. “So, are all your friends terrifying?”

Royal’s mouth twitches. I almost smile. “Only the important ones,” I tell her.

Cora rolls her eyes. But the small reaction is enough to remind me that the woman from the dorm room is still somewhere beneath all the fear. I pull the drive from my pocket and hand it to Royal.

“This is what Dan sent. It’s encrypted.”

Royal takes it immediately. “I figured.” He studies the drive then looks at me. “I’ll get started.”

Cora watches the exchange carefully. “What exactly are you going to do with it?”

Royal looks at me, clearly waiting to see how much I want to tell her.

“Try to get into it,” I say.

She narrows her eyes. “That sounds illegal.”

Royal slips the drive into his pocket. “Probably.”

I give him a look. He shrugs. Cora stares at both of us. “I’m starting to understand why my father thought I needed your protection.”

Royal laughs quietly, but his expression turns serious again almost immediately. “I’ll call when I find something.”

I nod.

Then he looks at Cora. “We’re going to find your dad.”

The confidence in his voice seems to surprise her.