Wild Nights With My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 99

NICOLE

“Talk about what?” I ask almost breathlessly.

I don’t like the way he’s watching me, and how he seems to be walking like he’s forgotten how to. His feet are dragging across the floor and his shoulders are hunched.

I’ve never seen Roman like this.

He’s always stood tall and proud, even when we were all broke and didn’t have anything. Before he even answers me, I start to worry about what Mason said to him. I can tell he hasn’t been punched, so what really happened between them?

“This whole thing. Us.”

“What else is there to talk about?”

“A lot, Nikki,” he says softly.

I’m finally standing in front of him. I wrap my arms around his waist and stare up at his face encouragingly. “Tell me what’s wrong. Was it Mason? Did he say something to offend you?”

His eyes harden a little and the sight takes me by surprise.

“Offend me? He didn’t tell me anything that wasn’t the truth.”

“Calm down, Rome…what’s wrong? I don’t understand it.””Well, you will in a second, Nikki,” he continues in the same harsh tone. “For the past few months, all l’ve done is make one mistake after the other and I’ve been acting like a little bitch that can have his cake and eat it, too.”

I shake my head and step back. “What are you talking about? What’s all this about?”

“I’m not going to keep hurting you,” he states.

Silence falls upon us, and for the longest time, we just stare at each other as I try to wrap my head around what he just said.

“Okay?”

“I have to fix things first.”

I fold my arms. I don’t recognize him at the moment. “Why don’t we stop going around in circles? Tell me what you want. What do you mean by what you’re saying?”

“I’m saying that you can’t be around me in the meantime,” he blurts. “I have to resolve whatever issues I have with Garith’s associates to make sure that what happened

never repeats itself.”

I still. “You’re breaking things off with me.”

Roman quiets down and runs a hand down his face. I expect him to tell me I’m wrong and that this isn’t a breakup, but he’s just staring at me like I’m a nuisance. ” Roman?””Nikki…”

Anger washes over me. “You’re not even taking it back.”

“I can’t take it back.”

I’m horrified by what he’s telling. I take several steps back and turn away from him because I can’t stand to look at him right now.

“After everything we’ve been through?” I ask, unable to keep the hurt from my voice. “You’re really going to end things like this?”

“Nikki-”

I whirl around to face him, anger getting the best of me. ” What’s the worst that could happen!? We went through hell together and now you want to break things off with me? Do you realize how that sounds?”

Roman steps toward me. “Nikki, can’t you see what’s at stake here? Do you really think that I’ll let anyone else get close to you? I can’t protect you, and what happened to you a few days ago made that clear. I’m dealing with dangerous people who’ll not hesitate to use you the same way Garith did!”

“You promised me you could keep me safe! We didn’t have to-”

“And that’s me keeping that promise!” he exclaims, grabbing me by the arms. “I’ll keep that promise even if it means I’ll have to break my own fucking heart into two,Nikki. I won’t put your life at risk again. I won’t.”

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