The words landed hard between them.
Roman's jaw clenched instantly, and he felt tension snapping through him as his eyes darkened. "Be careful what you say," he said, his voice cold as he caught her wrist before she could turn away.
Lena looked down briefly at his hand, then back up at him, her gaze unyielding. "And what are you going to do if I'm not?" she asked, a clear challenge threading through her tone.
Roman stepped closer, the space between them closing again, his presence pressing in. "Are you trying to provoke me?" he asked, his voice dropping into a low growl as his eyes locked onto hers. "Or do you just not know when to stop?"
Lena let out a short scoff, shaking her head as if he'd only just begun to understand. "You haven't even heard the worst part," she said.
Before he could react, she stepped closer again, rising slightly onto her toes. The faint brush of her breath ghosted against his ear. "Your father has an offer for me," she murmured.
