Chapter 6 - THE NIGHT ROMAN CHOSE HER OVER HIS EMPIRE
Victor Hale did not send soldiers first.
He sent lawyers.
Police complaints.
Financial investigators.
News stories.
Within forty-eight hours, Roman's legitimate businesses were under scrutiny.
Accounts froze.
Partners disappeared.
Politicians stopped answering.
Hale understood modern power.
You didn't need bullets if banks could strangle someone for you.
Roman's advisers wanted Elena gone.
“She is the liability.”
Roman heard them.
So did Elena.
She packed.
Roman found her.
“Where are you going?”
“Away from you.”
“No.”
“You're losing businesses because of me.”
“Businesses can be rebuilt.”
“People could die.”
“That is why you're protected.”
She stared.
“You barely know me.”
Roman's answer came quietly.
“I knew your father.”
“That isn't the same.”
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“And I'm beginning to know you.”
The air changed.
No kiss.
Not yet.
Elena was too wounded.
Roman seemed to understand.
Then one of his men entered.
They had located Oliver.
The cat.
Alive.
Elena nearly cried harder over that than anything else.
Roman personally brought the carrier.
Oliver hissed at him.
Roman frowned.
“He doesn't like me.”
“He has excellent instincts.”
That earned a real smile.
The first one she had seen.
Then the flash drive revealed its most important file.
A list of federal witnesses Victor Hale had allegedly bribed or intimidated over twenty years.
Enough to destroy him.
But only if authenticated.
The original ledger still existed.
Daniel's files revealed its location.
Bellavere Hotel.
Room 1708.
Elena stared.
“The gala?”
Roman nodded.
“Your father hid the evidence inside the building where Hale eventually became an investor.”
“That's insane.”
“Your father had a sense of humor.”
May you like
They returned.
And Vanessa was waiting.
