Chapter Four: Marked by the Past

Roman's POV

I never wanted Eden caught in this.

But the past doesn’t forget. It doesn’t forgive.

Tonight, I sit in the shadows of the club’s back room, watching faces I once trusted now trade whispers behind my back.

They’re talking about Eden.

A girl they see as a weakness.

I clamp my jaw tight.

Years ago, I left that world for good—swore I’d never let it touch anyone I care about.

But now it’s here.

And the deeper I try to protect her, the more she’s pulled in.

I owe my silence to my old allies—but if I don’t act soon, Eden will pay the price.

My phone buzzes.

A message from a name I hoped never to see again.

“She’s a liability.”

The warning is clear.

And the war I thought was over is just beginning.

---

Eden's POV

I can feel it—eyes watching me, shadows shifting in corners I thought were safe.

Roman’s secrets aren’t just stories.

They’re traps.

And I’m standing right in the middle.

Tonight, I’ll find out what he’s hiding.

Even if it destroys everything.

******

Roman's POV

The warehouse smells like rust and regret.

I step into the cold light, eyes scanning the circle of faces I once called brothers.

They don’t greet me. They don’t even hide the contempt.

“Roman,” the leader sneers, voice dripping with disdain. “You brought her here.”

I tighten my fists. “She’s under my protection. You cross her, you cross me.”

A cold laugh cuts through the air.

“Protection? You’re a fool if you think this girl’s safe.”

I step closer, voice low and deadly.

“Say it again.”

The leader’s smile fades. “She’s a liability. We can’t have your weakness endangering us all.”

“Then you leave her alone,” I warn.

They exchange glances—silent threats hanging heavy.

This isn’t just a warning.

It’s a declaration of war.

I won’t let them touch Eden.

Not now.

Not ever.

******

Eden's POV

The club is darker than I remembered, the shadows thicker, almost alive. The bass pounds through the walls, but beneath the music, there’s a low hum of whispered conversations—secrets exchanged in corners and behind closed doors.

I stay close to the walls, moving carefully, eyes sharp. I’m not here to party or hide. I’m here to find the truth.

Roman’s world is tangled in lies and danger. I can feel it everywhere—the tension, the wary glances thrown my way as I pass. No one here wants me.

Then I spot him: a man I’ve never seen before, standing near the bar, talking to someone who looks familiar—a woman with sharp eyes and a cold smile. They exchange a small envelope, hands barely touching. My heart skips.

I edge closer, pretending to lean against a pillar. My ears strain to catch their words.

“Roman’s girl,” the woman says, voice low. “She’s nosing around. We can’t have that.”

The man nods. “She’s a liability.”

Liability. The word hits me like a punch.

I swallow hard, heart pounding. They’re planning something. Against Roman? Against me?

Suddenly, a hand clamps down on my shoulder. I whirl around, breath catching.

Roman.

His face is a storm—relief, anger, fear all tangled together.

“What are you doing here?” His voice is harsh but quiet.

“I needed to know,” I say, voice steady despite the tremble in my hands. “I can’t keep pretending I don’t see what’s happening.”

He pulls me into a shadowed alcove. “This isn’t safe. You don’t belong here.”

“But I belong with you,” I insist. “And I’m not leaving.”

Roman’s jaw tightens. “You don’t understand what you’re walking into.”

I meet his gaze, unflinching. “Then help me understand. Don’t shut me out.”

For a moment, the hardness in his eyes softens. Then he nods slowly.

“Alright,” he says. “But once you see what this is... there’s no turning back.”

I brace myself.

Because I’m about to step deeper into a world that could destroy us both.