***
The next morning arrived with a brutal, sudden clarity. At exactly 0500, the bedroom door flew open. There was no knock, no polite greeting. Roman stepped inside, the harsh light of the hallway silhouetting his massive frame.
Bella was buried under a mountain of duvet, her blonde hair a chaotic halo on the pillow. She groaned and pulled the covers over her head.
"Up."
The word was a command, not a request.
"Go away," Bella mumbled from beneath the fabric. "It's too early."
Roman didn't argue. He walked to the side of the bed and, with one violent motion, ripped the duvet away. The sudden rush of cool air made Bella shriek, sitting up abruptly. She was wearing a thin, oversized white t-shirt that barely covered her hips, her legs bare and pale.
Roman's eyes traveled down her body
