Chapter 10 - The Man Roman Trusted Most
Julian chose an abandoned marina south of Boston.
Nora was supposed to arrive at nine.
Alone.
She carried a copy of the flash drive.
The real one remained locked away with federal investigators.
Roman hated every second.
Nora could tell.
He adjusted the tiny microphone beneath her collar for the third time.
“It works.”
“I know.”
“You're checking again.”
“I know.”
“Roman.”
He stopped.
They were inside a surveillance van several blocks from the marina.
Agents occupied nearby vehicles.
Roman had reluctantly agreed to let law enforcement control the operation.
That alone told Nora he was changing.
Old Roman would have handled Julian himself.
This Roman understood Nora needed a world where her child's father wasn't always one decision away from disappearing into prison or violence.
“Look at me,” she said.
Roman did.
“I'll be careful.”
“That isn't enough.”
“It has to be.”
He nodded.
Then his gaze dropped toward her stomach.
Nora took his hand.
For the first time since leaving him months earlier, she placed it there.
Roman froze.
Nothing happened.
Then a tiny movement.
Roman's eyes widened.
“Was that—”
“Yes.”
The baby moved again.
Roman stopped breathing.
Nora smiled despite everything.
“Apparently your child has terrible timing.”
Roman laughed quietly.
Then tears appeared.
He leaned forward, forehead against hers.
“Come back.”
“I will.”
“No.”
He pulled away.
“Promise me.”
Nora thought about all the promises people had broken around her.
She shook her head.
“I won't promise something I can't control.”
Roman looked hurt.
“But I promise I'll do everything I can.”
He nodded.
“That is better.”
Nora left the van.
The marina smelled like salt and diesel.
Most buildings were abandoned for the season.
At the end of the dock stood Julian.
Alone.
At least visibly.
Nora approached.
“Where's Marjorie?”
“Safe.”
“I want to see her.”
Julian held up his phone.
Live video.
Marjorie sat in the same chair.
A man stood behind her.
Nora recognized him.
Peter Sloane.
Roman's missing CFO.
Nora controlled her breathing.
“You brought the drive?”
“Yes.”
Julian held out his hand.
“Give it to me.”
“Release her first.”
“You're not negotiating.”
“Neither are you.”
Julian smiled.
“There she is.”
“What?”
“The Nora I married.”
“You never knew the woman you married.”
“I knew you were stubborn.”
“You thought I was useful.”
“At first.”
Nora stared at him.
Julian's smile faded.
“I did love you.”
“Stop saying that like it helps.”
“It matters.”
“No. Love without respect is just another way to own somebody.”
Julian looked away.
For one second, something like regret crossed his face.
Then vanished.
“Give me the drive.”
“Why?”
“You know why.”
“No. I know you want money.”
“I want freedom.”
“From what?”
“My father.”
Nora frowned.
“Marcus is dead.”
“Dead men can still own you.”
The statement sounded painfully familiar.
Julian continued.
“My father spent my entire childhood telling me our family survived by staying useful to powerful men.”
“Vincent?”
“Arthur first. Vincent later.”
“And me?”
Julian laughed bitterly.
“You were supposed to be simple.”
Nora's anger sharpened.
“Simple?”
“A name. A key. A way into whatever Celeste kept.”
“And then?”
“I fell for you.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it's true.”
“Then why destroy my credit?”
“I needed money.”
“Why cheat?”
“I hated what you reminded me of.”
Nora stared.
“What?”
“That I had become my father.”
Silence stretched.
Julian looked toward the water.
“Selene was easy. She understood transactions.”
“That isn't love.”
“I know.”
For the first time, Julian sounded tired rather than arrogant.
Nora almost pitied him.
Almost.
“Where is Marjorie?”
Julian's expression hardened again.
“Drive.”
Nora held it up.
A vehicle approached behind them.
Julian turned.
His face changed.
A black sedan stopped.
Peter Sloane stepped out.
Nora frowned.
If Peter was here—
Who was guarding Marjorie?
Peter smiled.
“Change of plan.”
Julian looked furious.
“You were supposed to stay with her.”
“She isn't important anymore.”
Nora's pulse jumped.
“Where is she?”
Peter ignored her.
He looked toward the distant road.
“Roman is here.”
Julian stared.
“No.”
Peter laughed.
“You actually thought Nora came alone?”
He pointed toward the tiny microphone.
Julian's face darkened.
He grabbed Nora's collar.
She stepped backward.
“Don't touch me.”
Agents moved somewhere out of sight.
Peter raised both hands.
“Easy.”
He looked directly toward the warehouse roof where one camera was hidden.
“Roman.”
Nora realized Peter knew exactly where the surveillance team was.
He had planned this.
Peter removed a phone.
“One message from me sends every financial record I've collected to three newspapers and federal investigators.”
Julian snapped, “That wasn't the agreement.”
Peter shrugged.
“Agreements change.”
Nora looked between them.
“You used Julian too.”
Peter smiled.
“Everyone uses everyone.”
“That must be a lonely way to live.”
His smile disappeared.
Nora continued.
“You worked beside Roman for two years.”
“And he never suspected.”
“Maybe because he trusted you.”
Peter's expression flickered.
Nora saw it.
“So that's what this is.”
“What?”
“You wanted him to trust you.”
Peter laughed.
“Don't psychoanalyze me.”
“You hated him.”
“I respected him.”
“No.”
Nora shook her head.
“You wanted what he had.”
Peter's face hardened.
“Roman inherited an empire.”
Nora almost laughed.
“You have no idea what he inherited.”
Peter stepped closer.
“He sits on top of everything while men like me build it.”
Roman's voice suddenly came through loudspeakers positioned around the marina.
“You could have asked for a raise.”
Peter froze.
Even Nora nearly laughed.
Roman continued.
“Let Nora leave.”
Peter looked around.
“Show yourself.”
“No.”
“You afraid?”
“No.”
“Then come down here.”
Nora whispered toward her microphone, “Don't.”
Roman ignored her.
Of course.
He stepped from behind the warehouse.
Alone.
Nora's stomach dropped.
“Roman.”
He walked toward them.
No coat.
No visible weapon.
Peter smiled.
“There he is.”
Roman stopped twenty feet away.
“Release Marjorie.”
Peter's smile widened.
“You still think this is about the old woman?”
Roman's face changed.
Nora felt dread.
Peter held up his phone.
A new video appeared.
Not Marjorie.
Roman's lake house.
Live security footage.
Inside, Whitmore and Vincent were still working.
Peter had access.
Roman stared.
Peter said quietly, “Your security system is mine.”
Roman finally understood how deep the betrayal went.
Peter hadn't simply copied financial records.
He had designed portions of Roman's entire security network.
Roman's phone buzzed.
Every alarm at his estate simultaneously shut down.
Peter smiled.
“I told you.”
Roman's expression remained calm.
But Nora knew him.
He was afraid.
Peter continued.
“You trusted the wrong man.”
Roman looked at him.
“Yes.”
Peter seemed surprised.
Roman's voice softened.
“But so did you.”
Peter frowned.
Behind him, Julian suddenly grabbed the phone from his hand.
Peter swung toward him.
Julian threw it into the harbor.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Julian stepped away.
“I'm done.”
Peter stared.
Julian looked toward Nora.
“For whatever it's worth, I'm sorry.”
Then a shot cracked through the marina.
Nora screamed.
Julian collapsed.
Roman ran.
Agents flooded the dock.
Peter disappeared between two buildings.
Nora dropped beside Julian.
There was no graphic wound, only blood spreading beneath his jacket.
His eyes found hers.
“Marjorie…”
“Where?”
“Old March boathouse.”
Nora gripped his hand.
“Stay awake.”
Julian gave a weak smile.
“You always were better than me.”
“Don't talk.”
“Nora.”
“What?”
“Peter didn't start the hotel fire.”
Her heart stopped.
“Who did?”
Julian's eyes began to close.
Nora shook him.
“Julian.”
He whispered one final name before losing consciousness.
May you like
“Selene.”
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