Chapter 4 - THE MAID WHO REFUSED TO BE AFRAID
Lily Carter knew someone had been following her.
She had noticed the silver sedan three nights earlier.
The same car had appeared outside the grocery store.
Then near the motel.
Then behind her apartment building.
At first, she told herself it was a coincidence.
But Lily had spent twenty-seven years learning that danger rarely announced itself.
Her grandmother had taught her that.
Pay attention to what people do, sweetheart. Not what they say.
Now she stood outside her apartment with her keys between her fingers.
The sedan slowed.
Lily stopped walking.
The driver's window lowered.
A man in his fifties leaned toward her.
“Miss Carter?”
She didn't answer.
“I'm looking for Roman Kane.”
Lily's stomach tightened.
“Then you're asking the wrong person.”
The man smiled.
“I think you're exactly the right person.”
She stepped backward.
The man opened his door.
Before he could get out, a black SUV pulled to the curb.
Roman Kane stepped onto the sidewalk.
He wore a charcoal coat, his expression colder than the October wind.
“Get back in your car.”
The stranger froze.
Roman approached.
“I won't repeat myself.”
The man looked from Roman to Lily.
Then smiled.
“Your mother sends her regards.”
Roman stopped.
Lily saw his expression change.
Not fear.
Recognition.
The man climbed back into the sedan and drove away.
Roman stood motionless.
Lily approached carefully.
“Mr. Kane?”
He didn't answer.
“Roman?”
He looked at her.
It was the first time she'd called him by his first name.
And for some reason, that seemed to bring him back.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“Who was that?”
Roman stared at the disappearing car.
“I don't know.”
Lily studied him.
“But you know what he meant.”
Roman looked at her.
He could have lied.
He was good at lying.
He had built an empire on knowing when to reveal information and when to keep it hidden.
But Lily had spent nights feeding people who believed he'd abandoned them.
She deserved better.
“My mother died twenty-two years ago,” he said.
Lily frowned.
“I'm sorry.”
Roman swallowed.
“Today I found out she may still be alive.”
Lily stared.
Then whispered, “Oh my God.”
Roman laughed once.
May you like
There was no humor in it.
“That's one way to put it.”
