Chapter 9 - THE WOMAN HE COULDN'T FORGET
Roman began changing his life.
He separated legitimate business operations from the criminal arrangements he'd inherited.
He cooperated with investigators.
He removed executives implicated in misconduct.
He hired independent oversight.
And he stopped treating fear as a management strategy.
The changes were difficult.
Expensive.
Sometimes humiliating.
But necessary.
Narelli watched quietly.
One evening, Roman found her working late.
“You should go home.”
She looked up.
“So should you.”
He smiled.
“Fair.”
She closed her laptop.
“Roman, can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Why are you doing all this?”
He looked toward the city.
“Because my mother lost twenty years of her life to men who thought power made them untouchable.”
Narelli nodded.
“And?”
He turned toward her.
“Because I don't want to become one of them.”
She smiled.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Roman asked:
“Are you seeing anyone?”
Narelli blinked.
“Excuse me?”
He looked suddenly uncomfortable.
“I was just asking.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Roman Kinsley, are you asking about my personal life?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He hesitated.
Then said:
“Because I think about you when you're not here.”
Narelli went still.
Roman continued.
“And I'm beginning to realize that's been happening for a long time.”
Her cheeks flushed.
“Roman—”
He stepped back.
“You don't have to answer.”
She looked at him.
May you like
Then whispered:
“I think about you too.”
