Chapter 3 - A ROOM BEHIND THE IRON GATES
Vincent took me to a large house overlooking the East River.
Iron gates.
Tall windows.
Security cameras.
The kind of place I'd only seen in magazines.
A woman in her sixties greeted us.
“Mr. Moretti.”
“Rosa.”
She looked at me.
Then smiled warmly.
“You must be Rowan.”
I nodded.
“Hello.”
She led me upstairs.
My room was enormous.
A soft bed.
Fresh towels.
A private bathroom.
A balcony overlooking the river.
I stood in the doorway.
“This is too much.”
Rosa smiled.
“It's a guest room, dear.”
I looked down.
“I can't pay for this.”
She touched my arm gently.
“Then don't worry about paying tonight.”
Later, Vincent appeared outside the door.
He didn't enter.
“Are you comfortable?”
I nodded.
“Thank you.”
He hesitated.
Then said, “Your door locks from the inside.”
I stared.
He continued, “Nobody enters without your permission.”
May you like
My throat tightened.
For the first time in days, I slept without listening for footsteps outside my apartment.
