Roman's chest rose and fell sharply as he watched Lena disappear into Magnus's office, the door swallowing her whole. "Damn you, Father," he muttered under his breath, the words bitter.
Before the thought could settle, Vance brushed past him, his shoulder clipping Roman's just enough to be deliberate. Roman's head snapped toward him, his eyes blazing.
But Vance didn't so much as glance back, he just moved to the door and positioned himself there, his fingers interlacing neatly in front of him like a guard posted at a vault. "Please leave," he said, his tone firm, almost polite. "And close the door behind you."
Roman's fists clenched instantly, the urge to snap back rising hot in his throat, but he swallowed it, forced it down. His jaw worked as he turned sharply, the soles of his shoes striking the floor harder than necessary as he stormed out of the waiting room.
Then his eyes met hers, and his steps faltered.
