Chapter 20

Ariana’s POV

The music thumped through my chest like a second heartbeat. The crowd had doubled in size, and the heat in the house clung to my skin like smoke. Bodies danced, drank, laughed. Lana had disappeared somewhere with Alex, and I was alone for a minute trying not to think about Roman’s mouth on mine just moments ago. The way he’d looked at me like I was something forbidden and already his.

I needed air.

I pushed past a couple making out on the stairs, catching my breath near the kitchen, where guys were pouring vodka into red cups like water. A few of them glanced at me, eyes dropping to my dress. I hugged my arms around myself.

Then I heard her name.

“Maddi’s coming down.”

Heads turned. A hush rippled.

And there she was.

Maddi.

The queen of this campus.

Long blonde waves cascading down her back, heels clicking against the hardwood like gunshots, and a dress that barely covered her. Every guy turned to look. Every girl rolled her eyes.

She was beautiful. Unreal. And absolutely terrifying.

Her eyes scanned the room like a lioness searching for prey.

And then she saw Roman.

The shift in her expression was almost comical—her lips parted, surprise flashing before it twisted into something calculating. Possessive.

She made her move.

“Roman,” she purred, gliding past bodies like she owned the damn oxygen in the room. “Didn’t expect you to show.”

I was close enough to hear him grunt in response. He didn’t even bother pretending to be interested. He was scanning the room—for me.

Maddi noticed. Her blue eyes narrowed like a knife.

“Still broody, huh?” she teased, placing her hand on his chest. Her voice dropped. “You remember how much fun we had that one night?”

My stomach twisted.

Roman didn’t move. Didn’t touch her. But the look he gave her?

Ice. Stone. Cold rage.

“I don’t remember shit,” he said flatly. “Must not have been that good.”

I swear, the air froze.

Maddi’s face faltered for a second before she gave a sharp, forced laugh. “Wow. Savage as ever.” Her voice dripped sugar—and poison. “Is that why you brought your cute little stepsis along?”

My entire body stiffened.

Roman didn’t answer.

She leaned in again. “You know, if you ever want someone who knows what they’re doing… you can always come back to me.”

He stepped back, finally. “You never had me to begin with.”

And just like that she lost it.

Her mask cracked, just a flash, before she turned away and locked eyes with me.

Oh shit.

She smiled.

The type of smile girls like her used to end lives.

She walked over slowly, the crowd parting like the Red Sea. My heart hammered. Her perfume hit me first some expensive mix of roses and venom.

“Hi, Ariana, right?” she said sweetly. “Didn’t realize you were brave enough to show up in that dress.”

I blinked. “Yeah, I figured if I was gonna walk into hell, I might as well dress for the fire.”

Her smile didn’t waver, but her eyes flared.

“You’re cute,” she said. “It’s sweet that you think you can keep his attention. Roman’s not the type to stay interested for long. Trust me, I’ve seen him chew girls up and spit them out like gum.”

I didn’t back down. Not this time.

“I’m not most girls,” I said, meeting her glare.

Her head tilted. “No, you’re not. You’re the stepsister. I guess some guys really do have mommy issues.” She gave me a wink, turned on her heels, and disappeared into the crowd.

I stood frozen.

My skin burned. My hands were shaking.

And then Roman was beside me.

“I heard everything,” he said, jaw clenched. “Don’t let her get in your head.”

I looked up at him. “Did you sleep with her?”

He paused. Too long.

“It was before you,” he said finally. “Before I even knew what it felt like to want someone this fucking bad. She meant nothing.”

But the ache in my chest didn’t go away.

“She hates me.”

“She’s jealous. That’s all.” He cupped my face gently. “She wishes she was you.”

That should’ve made me feel better. But it didn’t. Not fully.

Because no matter how many people we pretended for…

no matter how many stolen moments and whispered kisses we shared…

at the end of the day.

I was still the secret.

And girls like Maddi?

They didn’t have to be hidden.

Not like me.

Roman’s POV

I should’ve walked away.

Should’ve taken Ariana and vanished into the night like a ghost like I always do when shit gets loud.

But not tonight.

Not after that smug little stunt Maddi pulled. Not after I saw Ariana standing there, holding herself like armor, fighting not to break.

No one gets to touch her like that.

Not with words.

Not with jealousy.

Not with fake smiles laced in venom.

I was already across the room before I knew what I was doing, every step thudding like a warning bell in my chest. I didn’t care who was watching. I didn’t care how messy it got. They’d all learn.

Maddi was near the back patio, surrounded by her usual orbit of drunk frat boys and desperate girls trying to impress her. She had a fresh drink in hand and a wicked little smirk like she was proud of herself.

Like she thought she won.

My rage was calm. Controlled.

But deadly.

I walked up behind her and said, "That was your last mistake, Maddi."

She turned slowly, still playing innocent. “Roman,” she purred. “Wasn’t expecting you to join the peasants.”

I didn’t smile.

“You really think I’d let you talk to her like that and walk away?”

“Oh, come on,” she drawled. “It was just a little girl talk. You know I always speak my mind.”

“And I’m speaking mine now.” I stepped in closer, close enough that her smug expression faltered. “If you ever say her name again with that filth in your mouth, I’ll make sure you choke on it.”

Gasps flared around us. Phones tilted discreetly. Eyes locked in.

Maddi’s smile slipped. “Don’t threaten me. You forget who the hell I am?”

I laughed. Cold. Cruel. “You’re a lonely, insecure little bitch who can’t stand not being wanted. You hosted this entire party just to feel like a queen for one night. Guess what? No one’s bowing.”

Her mouth opened, but I didn’t let her speak.

“She’s mine,” I said, voice low and lethal. “You don’t get to touch her. Not with your hands. Not with your words. Not with your jealous fucking envy.”

“You’ve lost your mind over some stepsister,” she snapped, her voice cracking.

I stepped even closer, so close she had to tilt her chin to meet my eyes.

“No,” I said. “I found it.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You think this little thing with her is gonna last? You’ll ruin her, Roman. She’s not like us.”

“I know she’s not. That’s why she’s everything.” My voice dipped to a dangerous whisper. “She’s not like you. And thank fucking god for that.”

Maddi stood frozen, trembling from fury or fear I didn’t care.

I turned my back on her like she was nothing.

Because she was.

And as I walked away, I said just loud enough for her to hear,

“Tell your little fan club they can delete those videos. I’ll bury anyone who tries to come for her. She’s off-limits.”

I pushed through the crowd until I found her.

Ariana.

Alone near the front door, arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to disappear.

Not on my watch.

I reached for her, pulling her into me like gravity couldn’t stand keeping us apart. She looked up at me, eyes wide, uncertain.

“What did you do?” she whispered.

I didn’t lie.

“I reminded Maddi who the fuck I am.”

“And who I am?” she asked, voice fragile.

I brushed her cheek with my knuckles. “You’re the only person in this room who owns me.”

Her breath caught. “Even if I break you?”

I leaned in, our lips a breath apart.

“Break me,” I whispered. “I’ll still come back on my knees.”