Roman barely remembered how he got out of the house. Everything blurred together, the shouting, Desiree collapsing, the blood on her hands, Ethan’s horrified face. Only one thing was clear in his mind: he needed to get her to Felicia. Now.

He scooped Desiree off the floor, cradling her limp body against his chest. Her breath came in short, shaky gasps, and her eyes rolled back before fluttering shut completely.

“Desiree? Desiree, stay with me,” Roman begged, his voice cracking. She ...