Chapter 13 - THE PRICE OF WALKING AWAY
Leaving the Gallow organization wasn't simple.
Roman had spent five years holding together a network of legitimate companies and criminal operations.
Some businesses could be restructured.
Others had to be closed.
Several associates faced investigations.
Roman cooperated with authorities and accepted scrutiny of his own decisions.
He lost contracts.
Property.
Influence.
And the fear that had once protected him.
But he gained something he hadn't expected.
Time.
For the first time in years, he could wake without wondering which lieutenant would betray him.
He could walk through a grocery store.
Cook badly in his own kitchen.
And spend an afternoon with Paige without checking his phone every five minutes.
Their relationship grew slowly.
They argued.
They learned.
They made mistakes.
Roman sometimes slipped into old habits, trying to solve Paige's problems without asking.
She called him out.
He listened.
Paige sometimes assumed every act of kindness came with a hidden price.
Roman gave her space.
They were imperfect.
But honest.
One afternoon, Paige stood in her apartment holding a letter.
Roman arrived carrying groceries.
"What's wrong?"
She looked up.
"I got accepted."
He blinked.
"Accepted where?"
"The design program."
Roman stared.
Then smiled.
"Paige."
She laughed.
"I applied months ago. I didn't think I'd get in."
He set down the groceries.
"That's incredible."
She began crying.
Roman stepped closer.
"Can I hug you?"
She laughed through tears.
"Yes, idiot."
He wrapped his arms around her.
May you like
She held him tightly.
And for the first time in years, Paige felt like the future belonged to her again.
