Chapter 2 - THE GIRL WHO WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE THERE
Paige stared at Roman.
For a moment, the pain in her wrist seemed to disappear.
"You think I'm a spy?"
Roman didn't answer immediately.
Behind him, the remaining poker players pretended not to listen.
One examined his cards.
Another stared into his empty glass.
Luca remained near the door.
Paige looked around.
Then back at Roman.
"You're telling me you dragged me out here to test whether I'm passing information?"
"I didn't drag you."
"You gave me an address and told me I owed you six thousand dollars."
Roman's jaw tightened.
"That's fair."
"No, it's not."
She stepped backward.
"I came because my manager made it clear I could lose my job if I didn't."
Roman glanced toward Luca.
Something dark crossed his expression.
Then he looked at Paige again.
"I didn't know he threatened you."
"Maybe you should have asked."
Silence.
Roman nodded once.
"You're right."
Paige almost laughed.
Men like him weren't supposed to admit that.
He gestured toward the hallway.
"Come with me. We'll talk somewhere private."
She looked at Luca.
"No."
Roman paused.
"No?"
"I'm not going into a private room with you."
He studied her.
Then nodded.
"All right."
He turned toward the poker table.
"Gentlemen, the game is over."
One of the players frowned.
"Roman—"
"Good night."
Nobody argued.
Within minutes, the room emptied.
Roman remained beside the table.
Paige stood near the wet bar.
The distance between them felt enormous.
"Now," she said, "explain."
Roman folded his arms.
"For the last three months, someone has been leaking private information from meetings held at the Onyx Room."
"What kind of information?"
"Shipping schedules. Contract negotiations. Names of people attending certain dinners."
Paige frowned.
"Why would you think it was me?"
"Because you served the tables where the leaks originated."
"So did twelve other people."
"I know."
"Then why me?"
Roman hesitated.
"Because you were present at all four meetings."
Paige stared.
"That's your evidence?"
"No."
"Then what is?"
Roman looked toward the door.
"Someone told me you were being paid."
Paige felt sick.
"Who?"
"I can't tell you yet."
She laughed bitterly.
"Convenient."
Roman's expression didn't change.
Paige picked up her bag.
"I'm leaving."
He stepped aside.
She stopped.
"You aren't going to stop me?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because you have every right to leave."
She studied him.
Then looked at her swollen wrist.
"What about Donovan?"
"He won't be returning."
"That isn't what I asked."
Roman waited.
Paige continued.
"Is he going to come after me?"
Roman's eyes hardened.
"I'll make sure he doesn't."
She shook her head.
"People like you always say that."
Then she walked out.
Luca offered to drive her.
She refused.
He arranged a taxi anyway, but Paige insisted on paying the fare herself.
When she reached her apartment, she found a folded envelope beneath the door.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Paige serving Roman at the Onyx Room.
Taken from across the dining room.
On the back, someone had written:
HE KNOWS YOU WERE THERE.
Paige stared at the words.
Then looked toward the window.
May you like
Across the street, a black sedan sat beneath a broken streetlight.
Its engine was running.
