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He called Marco on the way to the club, telling him in no uncertain terms was Alexandra allowed in the building, regardless of what Qui
“Right on cue.” He rolled his eyes when Qui
“Why did you ban Alexandra?” Qui
“We broke up.” He figured honesty was the best policy, and the quickest way to get Qui
“What the hell? Why did you guys break up?”
Roman rubbed his head in his hands to stem the headache he felt coming. He searched for the Ibuprofen, dry-swallowing two before answering. “We decided it was best if we parted ways for the time being.”
“You mean you decided,” Qui
Roman’s head was pounding despite the pills he’d taken. Suffer in silence.
“There’s no way she should have to sacrifice her job to be with me, but she would, Qui
Qui
“Like you didn’t?” Roman sneered, the low blow a sucker punch to the brother who was only trying to help.
“Different circumstances, asshole, because my person slept with someone else. Did I fight for her? Yes, because you don’t throw something like what we had away. I wasn’t good enough for her, and she chose the douchebag she cheated on me with. Which further proves you’re an idiot, because you’re throwing away the one woman who was made for you.”
“I’m not throwing her away. I’m setting her aside for her own benefit, so she can get the partnership she wanted and keep her job.”
“Rejection is rejection, regardless of the circumstances or delivery. You rejected her, and don’t try and bullshit me with this ‘I’m setting her aside’ nonsense. You’re so damn noble, willing to sacrifice yourself for someone else’s happiness, even if it’s not what they may want.” Qui
Roman was a “get it done” kind of guy, but he didn’t act without thinking. “What do you mean?”
“I mean Trina, our birth mother. You think anyone in this family is fooled by the fact you own a sex club? Don’t get me wrong, the money’s great, and I enjoy where I work, but you’ve never been obsessed with sex. You’re the kind of guy who would try a sex club, but you created this club as a kind of preconceived penance for all the people who wronged her when you weren’t there to protect her. Including Alexandra’s dad. Do you think Trina would care? She never did when we were younger. You love this club, but it wasn’t your passion. I’m not saying it’s wrong, because this is the perfect place for you. I’m just saying everybody’s problems don’t have to fall on you.”
“You don’t understand,” he defended even as the sliver of doubt crept in. “Alexandra didn’t want to be in a relationship with me. She was hesitant, and I should have let her go then. But I couldn’t. I pursued her, went after her, and made her mine. The minute she came in here, she was mine. And now she’s where she doesn’t want to be, having to defend her relationship with me to everyone in her life.”
“Look, I’m not saying it’s not hard, or there won’t be bumps in the road, but she wants to be with you. Alexandra Kane is not one who allows people to boss her around, including your dumb ass. You might want to think about that the next time you make rash decisions and kick someone to the curb so you can be a white knight. Get off your high horse and go get your girl!” he shouted over his shoulder before he slammed the door.
***
Roman walked into the courtroom the next week, pretending his girl wasn’t sitting at the defense table waiting for him. She looked impeccable, her hair tied up, black suit and red heels exuding power. She turned her head when she heard his approach, and her normally bright brown eyes looked listless. Pinching her lips, she turned her eyes back to the paperwork laid out in front of her.
And there we have it, he thought, sitting beside her. “How are you?” he asked when the silence threatened to smother him.
“Let’s think.” She chuckled. “I had my personal life splashed all over the papers, so the guy I was seeing decided to break up with me, making me look like a fool to the nation. I have to go into work today for what may be the last time, and I have to defend said guy because I can’t get out of this hearing since I’m invested in its outcome. Other than all those circumstances, I’m amazing. Do you want to continue with small talk or sit there silently until the judge gets here?”
“Alexandra,” he began, wanting to tell her something, anything, to wipe the pain from her eyes. This was his fault, but he couldn’t think of any other way to fix it.
“Save it. I don’t want to hear any bullshit you’re about to spew about how you did what was best for me, as though I’m some child who doesn’t know her own mind. You were right all along; you’re bad news, but I just barreled through like some idiot who saw the dead-end street signs and believed they could forge a new path. Let’s not pretend like you care now, when you handled me so carelessly the other day.”
The judge interrupted any response Roman had pla
Finally, Roman thought when the judge pronounced his reasoning. “When the members of Club Valentine sign their agreement, they do so in good faith their information will be protected. In order to have access to that information, there needs to be a legitimate reason. You are asking me to violate the privacy of every member of the club, some who may have never met your wife. None of them have a stake in your divorce proceedings, and I’m inclined to believe Miss Kane when she said this is nothing more than a fishing expedition. This court is not available for your disposal to do what you want, Mr. Arrow.