Chapter 3 - THE COFFEE MUG THAT SAVED HER LIFE
By dawn, Narelli's attorney had arrived.
The police reviewed security footage from the diner.
It showed Mickey Wallace approaching Narelli while she sat alone near the window.
He leaned over her table.
She tried to leave.
He grabbed her wrist.
She pulled away.
He shoved her against the counter.
Only then did she strike him with the coffee mug.
The footage supported her account that she had acted to protect herself.
After further questioning, she was released while investigators continued reviewing the incident.
Roman waited outside.
Narelli emerged wearing a borrowed jacket.
Her face was pale.
He approached.
“Are you all right?”
She nodded.
“I'm fine.”
Roman looked at her injured hand.
“You're not fine.”
She sighed.
“It's a sprain.”
“You need a doctor.”
“I need coffee.”
“You need a doctor first.”
Narelli gave him a tired look.
“Are you always this controlling?”
“Yes.”
“At least you're honest.”
For the first time that morning, Roman almost smiled.
He opened the SUV door.
“Get in.”
She hesitated.
“Roman—”
He stopped.
She had never called him by his first name before.
Not once in three years.
He looked at her.
“What?”
“Don't call Donovan.”
“I won't.”
“Promise.”
Roman studied her.
“I promise.”
Only then did she get inside.
At the hospital, Narelli's injuries were examined.
She had bruising, a sprained wrist, and a shallow cut across her knuckles.
Roman sat beside her in the waiting room.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then he asked:
“Why didn't you tell me sooner?”
Narelli looked down.
“Because I didn't know whether you'd believe me.”
“I would have.”
She turned toward him.
“Would you?”
Roman opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Three days earlier, if Narelli had accused Donovan of murder, Roman might have dismissed her concerns.
He hated admitting it.
But she was right.
Narelli smiled sadly.
“That's what I thought.”
Roman looked away.
Then said:
“I'm sorry.”
She blinked.
“What?”
“I'm sorry.”
Narelli stared at him.
“Did Roman Kinsley just apologize?”
“Don't make me regret it.”
She laughed.
The sound was soft.
Exhausted.
But real.
Roman looked at her.
And something inside him shifted.
For three years, he'd thought of Narelli as indispensable.
Efficient.
Loyal.
Reliable.
He had never allowed himself to think about what her absence would feel like.
May you like
Now he understood.
It would be unbearable.
