Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO LOVE DIFFERENTLY
Roman began dismantling the criminal side of the Bellandi organization.
It was not quick.
It was not simple.
And it did not erase the harm already done.
He retained independent legal counsel, cooperated with investigations where appropriate, and began separating legitimate businesses from illegal operations.
Some associates left.
Others threatened him.
Several contracts collapsed.
Roman accepted that the consequences of his past would not disappear merely because he wanted a different future.
For the first time, he was building something without relying on fear.
And for the first time, he found himself thinking about Norah in ways that frightened him.
Not because she worked for him.
She no longer did.
Not because she had saved his sister.
Gratitude was not love.
But because she made him feel like a man rather than a title.
She argued with him.
Laughed at his terrible jokes.
Told him when he was wrong.
And never once treated his money as proof of his worth.
One evening, he visited her apartment.
She opened the door wearing an apron dusted with flour.
“Roman?”
He smiled.
“Hello.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I brought something.”
He held up a small paper bag.
Norah frowned.
“What is it?”
“Coffee.”
She laughed.
“You drove across Chicago to bring me coffee?”
“Yes.”
“That's ridiculous.”
“I've been told.”
She stepped aside.
“Come in.”
They sat at her tiny kitchen table.
Roman looked around.
The apartment was warm.
Books lined the shelves.
Fresh bread cooled on the counter.
A photograph of Norah's mother stood beside the window.
It was nothing like the Bellandi mansion.
And somehow, he felt more comfortable there than he had in his own home for years.
Norah poured coffee.
Then looked at him.
“Roman.”
“Yes?”
“Why are you really here?”
He took a breath.
“Because I wanted to see you.”
She stared.
He continued.
“And because I think about you more than I should.”
Norah's expression softened.
“Roman.”
“I know.”
He smiled sadly.
“I have a complicated past.”
She laughed.
“That's one way to describe it.”
He nodded.
“And I don't expect you to overlook it.”
Norah studied him.
Then said:
“I don't want to be rescued.”
Roman looked at her.
“I know.”
“I don't want to become another woman whose life revolves around your decisions.”
“I understand.”
She took a breath.
“And I don't want to be someone's secret.”
Roman reached across the table.
“Then you won't be.”
Norah looked at his hand.
Then placed hers in it.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Roman asked:
“Would you have dinner with me?”
She smiled.
“A proper date?”
“Yes.”
She considered.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
May you like
Roman laughed softly.
And for the first time in years, he felt nervous about something that had nothing to do with power.
