Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT ROMAN LOST CONTROL
Z
Roman wanted to confront Elliot Vane.
He wanted to drive to Connecticut, walk into the man's house, and demand to know what he'd done to Julian.
For the first time in years, he wanted to use fear.
Narelli stopped him.
She stood in front of his office door.
“No.”
Roman stared.
“Move.”
“No.”
“Narelli.”
“Don't use that voice on me.”
He stopped.
She continued.
“You have investigators working on this. You have evidence. You have a chance to find Julian safely.”
Roman's jaw tightened.
“Elliot knew where my brother was.”
“Yes.”
“He let me bury a stranger.”
“I know.”
Roman's voice rose.
“He watched me stand at that grave.”
Narelli's eyes filled.
“And if you go after him now, you could destroy the case.”
Roman looked away.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then he whispered, “I don't know what to do with this.”
Narelli stepped closer.
“You don't have to know tonight.”
He closed his eyes.
She touched his arm.
“Just don't make it worse.”
Roman sat down.
His hands were shaking.
He had negotiated through financial crises without losing his composure.
He had faced men who threatened his business and reputation.
But he had never learned how to carry grief that suddenly became hope.
Narelli sat beside him.
He looked at her.
“Why did you stay?”
She frowned.
“What?”
“At the diner. After he threatened Isabel, you could have told him what he wanted.”
Her expression hardened.
“He wanted to hurt you.”
“You didn't know that.”
“I knew he was dangerous.”
Roman looked down.
“You could have been killed.”
Narelli's voice softened.
“I know.”
He turned toward her.
“Why didn't you give him my schedule?”
She hesitated.
Then answered.
“Because you trusted me.”
Roman stared.
She continued.
“And because I couldn't live with myself if I used that trust to put you in danger.”
Something changed between them.
Not suddenly.
Not dramatically.
But unmistakably.
Roman reached for her hand.
Narelli let him take it.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then Roman said quietly, “I don't deserve that kind of loyalty.”
Narelli looked at him.
“Then become someone who does.”
May you like
He smiled through tears.
And for the first time since the call at 3:07, he believed he might survive what came next.
