Roman: Book 2 (The Hunter Brothers Series) by L.J. Dee Page B

was palpable and there
was no denying that after almost killing me, Roman Hunter had saved my life
back there.

 
    Chapter Six
    “What the hell
were you playing at?” Jess screamed in my face as I entered the hallway. I took
a step back. My sister’s temper was as rare as hen’s teeth, but it was on
display now and it wasn’t pretty.
    “I needed to make
sure he was alright,” I said as Roman stepped into the hallway, smiling broadly,
having calmed down significantly since beating the bull and our sexual session
under the tree. His smile soon faded when he saw the uncharacteristic anger contorting
my sister’s face.
    “I’m sorry, Jess,
I didn’t think,” I said, her eyes suddenly cloudy as she pulled me into a hug,
trembling almost as much as I had been. Christ, it had been six years, but the
fear and pain hadn’t diminished much for Jess. I knew she’d hate me going on a
motorbike, but I hadn’t truly appreciated the depth of her concern, absorbed
only in Roman and what he was going through.
    “I’m sorry,” I
whispered over and over again as her breathing started to slow, surprising me
as much as Roman when she flung herself at his chest and gripped him tightly.
He didn’t know what to do, that was evident from the bemused and curious frown
on his face as Jess looked up at him, holding his arms tightly.
    “Dexter’s Dad was
killed in a motorcycle accident at seventeen, Roman. I hate them. I know you
think I’m over reacting, but I felt sick when you rode off with Chas. You’re
probably a great rider and in control, but please don’t take her out on it
again, I’m begging you,” she pleaded as he nodded, returning her hug and trying
to reassure her. It was an extreme reaction and one I hadn’t even anticipated
myself.
    “Next time, we’ll
take the car,” he smiled as she nodded.
    “Damn right, look
at the state of my hair,” I said, catching sight of myself in the huge hallway
mirror. I looked a fright. I tried to calm down my matted locks but it was
useless. After the events of this morning, the only thing that made me feel
better was that it hadn’t turned suddenly grey with the shock. I made my way
into the kitchen slightly dazed, only to encounter the stern face of Lucas.
      “Do you know what your sister’s been going
through?” he asked accusingly as I held his gaze.
    I decided not to
try and deflect by telling him we’d almost been killed. “Obviously I didn’t,
but I do now. It won’t happen again,” I said as he smiled gently, casting a
firm glance at his brother.
    “In future, take
the car, Roman.” It came out as more of an order than a request. Roman opened
the fridge and pulled out a beer, offering me one as I shook my head.
    “Don’t tell me
what to do, Lucas,” he replied simply, popping the top from the bottle of
Peroni. He’d agreed to the car for my sister, and I got the impression that
Roman didn’t feel the need to justify himself any further. The tense silence
was broken by my ringing phone as I smiled first at Jess and then at Lucas.
    “It’s Mr Turnbull,
I have to take this,” I said to a pair of dumbfounded faces. Neither really
knew about my relationship with Turnbull, or how I’d got Jess that job in the
first place and I had to keep it that way, I’d promised him my absolute
discretion.
    “How’s my
favourite Little Miss Fix it?” he asked as I laughed. He sounded on good form
and I wondered if Mrs Turnbull was on the mend.
    “I’m good. More
importantly, how are you?” I asked, knowing that losing his business had made a
huge dent in his confidence and professional ego. He’d been angry for a long
time, and I felt certain he wouldn’t be best pleased if he knew just whose
kitchen I was standing in. My audience of three were listening intently and I
couldn’t help winding them up a little.
    “You played a
blinder with that contract. Lucas Hunter was absolutely furious,” I said,
flashing my eyebrows at Lucas as he raised his slowly.