“Tessa, I’m not asking you again,” Roman snapped, standing like a wall in the middle of her tiny living room.

“You don’t get to barge into my life and make demands,” she shot back. “This isn’t your house. You don’t own me.”

His jaw flexed. “Well, I’m not leaving you here.”

“And why not?” she challenged. “Because you suddenly care? Because you think you can take me wherever you want?”

Roman stepped closer, lowering his voice but not his authority. “I’m not leaving you, because this place isn’t safe. That’s all you need to know.”

“That’s not an explanation, Roman. That’s a threat.”

“Take it however you want, but you’re...