Roman: Book 2 (The Hunter Brothers Series) Read Online Free Page A

ironic that it’s probably the only time
she hasn’t lied and connived, and that’s the time you decide not to give her
the benefit of the doubt,” Tyler quipped as Charlie slumped next to me on the
couch, shaking his head and resting it dejectedly in his hands. I picked up his
glass and poured him another brandy.
    “What the fuck
have I done?” he muttered over and over, taking the brandy as Lucas stared at
him, his face set in a stern line.
    “Don’t do anything
rash, Charlie,” he said and I could see the guilt playing out across his
features and wondered whether this might mean him and Scarlett could be
reunited.
    “Dobbs is coming
to read the will tomorrow,” Lucas announced suddenly.
      “You won’t need me there. I won’t be in it,” Roman
said as Tyler gazed across at him, pain and hurt ripping through his face as he
looked up at his brother.
    “Don’t say that,
Dad loved you,” he offered as Roman laughed gently.
      “It doesn’t matter now, he’s gone. But you’re
my brothers, maybe only half brothers biologically, but the only family I’ve got
and you’re all I care about.”
    “Whatever is in that
will, its split four ways, agreed?” said Lucas as Charlie and Tyler nodded, looking
at Roman who was shaking his head.
    “No arguments,
Roman,” announced Lucas firmly in a tone so forceful that no one responded. I
put my arm gently around Charlie in a show of support as he turned and smiled,
risking a glance at Roman who was gazing at me curiously.
    “Well, you know
all about me now, and I don’t know anything about you, Chastity,” he smiled, eyes
smouldering as I bit my lip under the intensity of his gaze. He was like the
dark to Charlie’s light; not just in colouring, but in his whole demeanour and
attitude. Where Charlie was funny and sexy, charming girls from their panties
with his charisma; Roman was mysterious with an undeniable edge about him. It
was no less thrilling to observe as I shifted again in my seat.
      Lucas stepped in. “I’m sorry, Roman, I haven’t
even introduced you all yet. This is Jess, my girlfriend, and her sister, Chas.”
I could feel Charlie looking between me and his brother, but I couldn’t tear my
eyes away. Eventually he stood, pacing the room in frustration until he picked
up a cigar from the velvet lined mahogany box on the table and made his way
through the patio doors.
    Lucas and Tyler
glanced at each other, clearly worried about Charlie’s state of mind. Roman was
still staring at me as I swallowed hard. “I’ll go and make sure he’s okay,” I
mumbled, walking towards the patio and glancing back at Roman who was watching
me closely.
    “Hey,” I smiled,
taking a seat next to Charlie on one of the cream cushioned outdoor chairs, but
he didn’t return my smile. He was deep in thought and gazing out over the acres
of beautifully manicured stepped gardens, taking a deep draw on his cigar.
“What are you going to do about Scarlett?” I asked as he turned his head slowly
to face me, blowing out a soft stream of smoke that dispersed in the air
between us. He looked as hurt and regretful as I had ever seen him, soft full
lips set in an uncharacteristically stern line.
    “I fucked up,
Chas,” he said, shaking his head as I rested my hand reassuringly on his arm. It
was agonising to watch. He had buried his father only a few hours ago. They
should be sitting around reminiscing about the good times, sharing tales over
brandy and helping one another through the grief. They hadn’t had the chance.
Roman’s revelations had cast a whole new light on each of their lives, and for
Charlie in particular, had opened a Pandora’s Box of hidden feelings, hurt and
regret.
    “I didn’t even
give her the chance to tell me her version, or ask her about it. I can’t
believe Dad lied like that,” he sighed, taking another long drag of the cigar.
“The worst thing is, I can’t even ask him about it or get an explanation.
Scarlett isn’t responsible