From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 361

Chapter 361

Chapter 206: It’s Pointless

Savannah

Roman hasn’t said a word since we left Paula’s brother’s house, but the anger sits on him like a second skin. It’s tight, sharp and suffocating. His jaw is locked so hard I’m convinced he’s a few seconds away from cracking a tooth, and his hand around mine… God. His grip is painful. It’s firm in a way that tells me he’s barely holding himself together. I slowly pull my hand away. And it’s as if he doesn’t notice because he doesn’t turn, still deep in thought.

And honestly? I’m suddenly afraid for Paula. And for whatever Roman plans to do to her next. Paula was a hardened criminal who wouldn’t give up the real name of ‘The Medicine Man‘ without intense pressure.

The car hums quietly as Alonzo drives us through the streets, but the silence in the backseat feels explosive. I inch closer, my palm sliding onto Roman’s thigh, giving it the slightest squeeze.

“Are you okay?” I ask softly. “You’ve been quiet ever since we left Zane’s shop.”

It takes him a second to answer.

“No,” he mutters, and the honesty in his voice slices through me. There’s no attempt to pretend, no effort to mask anything. Just the

truth–raw and bitter.

I swallow. I know exactly what’s eating at him.

Paula’s employer being connected to The General.

That means his father–his biggest shame, his biggest wound–is somehow tied to all the chaos surrounding us.

And if I were him? If my own father was the reason my life kept spiraling? I’d be furious too. I’d even want him dead.

“I’m so sorry.” I whisper. “I know how you feel.”

He turns away from the window, his eyes softening a touch as they land on me.

“You don’t have to apologize.” His voice drops. “I should be the one saying sorry. I’m embarrassed that this is the last name you’re going to be taking. But I’m even more ashamed that you’re becoming a part of my criminal father’s family. So… forgive me, Savannah. This is all my fault.”

A laugh escapes me–not mocking, just warm. “How gentlemanly, Sir Roman. What happened to my best friend, Roman?” I tease lightly. “What did you do to him?”

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Chapter 361

He smirks, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. “He’s right here, baby.”

1 pretend to look around. “Well, where is he? Because I don’t see him.”

He flicks a glance at Alonzo, who’s wisely focusing on the road, then leans in, voice a low rumble.

“You’re lucky Alonzo’s driving,” he murmurs. “I would’ve shown you.”

Heat punches straight through me.

Just like that, my thighs press together instinctively. The need that’s been simmering all day uncoils low in my stomach, tightening and tightening until I can barely think straight. For a split second, I genuinely hate everyone in this situation–Alonzo, Chloe, Paula, the entire universe–for ruining whatever Roman was threatening to do.

“You can show me when we get home,” I whisper, biting my lip.

He doesn’t even hesitate. “Best believe, my love.”

Just those words make every bit of anxiety dissolve into a puddle of want. Before I can think, I crawl into his arms, draping myself across him like a clingy koala. Alonzo probably sees us in the rearview mirror, but I don’t care. I hold Roman tightly, burying my face in his

chest.

“I just want all of this to be over,” I whisper. “I want us to be happy.”

His hand strokes up and down my back, slow and steady, grounding me. “It will be over soon, my love,” he murmurs. “We’ll be happy

soon.”

And for the first time in hours, maybe days, I let myself believe him.

By the time we reach Paula’s apartment, the entire place feels… wrong.

Too clean.

The scent of bleach hits me first–sharp, chemical, stinging the inside of my nose. Antiseptic lingers heavily behind it, mixing into something cold and clinical. All the blood from earlier? Gone. The mess? Gone. The chaos? Erased so thoroughly you’d think the violence was nothing more than a bad dream.

Except it wasn’t. And the two bandaged women in the living room are proof.

Paula and Chloe sit rigidly in chairs, each flanked by Roman’s men–the massive, stone–faced, unmoving ones from earlier. The bandages on them are clean and tight, and for a second I’m bizarrely impressed. These guys didn’t just clean a crime scene… They treated two bullet wounds like it was nothing.

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Chapter 361

Who the hell are these men?

Roman strides ahead of me, dragging a chair to the center of the room. The scrape of wood against the floor cuts through the tense silence. Paula watches him with flat, defiant eyes. Chloe keeps glancing between the men, terror flickering across her face,

Maybe she’s finally sober? But then again, I don’t think so. She’s surprisingly calm for a girl who got shot and treated with no anaesthetic.

Roman sits and leans forward, elbows on his knees. “Who do you work for, Paula?” he asks calmly. Too calmly. “We had a little chat with your brother a few minutes ago. And he’s shockingly civilised for someone related to you. But there’s always an odd one out in every

family.”

Paula’s glare is sharp enough to cut glass. “I’m not saying anything. You can try whatever you want. It’s pointless.”

She doesn’t hesitate. Doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t break. And I’ve seen criminals before but Paula is something else. She’s a wall. A vault.

Hardened down to the bone.

Roman smiles, slow and cold. “I knew you’d say that.”

Chloe finds her voice, trembling. “Why are you doing this? Why are you treating us like this? We didn’t-”

“Shut up,” Roman snaps, the command slicing through the room like a whip.

Chloe goes silent instantly.

Roman turns back to Paula, eyes narrowing. “Let’s find out how tough you are.”

He extends a hand without looking, and the man behind him immediately places a gun into his palm. Paula’s bravado flickers just the slightest bit. It’s barely visible, but I see it.

Her breath catches. Her spine straightens. Fear. Real, human fear. For the first time all day.

“Roman…” I whisper, sitting up straighter. “What are you doing?”

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