Chapter 14 - ROMAN’S FINAL BETRAYAL
Roman made his move that night.
He disappeared with the original corporate minute book.
Without it, proving certain trust amendments would become much harder.
Vincent tracked him to an old club downtown.
I went alone.
Roman sat at the bar.
The minute book was beside him.
“You should have stayed home,” he said.
“You should have stayed loyal.”
He smiled sadly.
“To which Moretti?”
I sat beside him.
Roman poured two drinks.
He admitted Victor had approached him before Pier 44.
Victor wanted copies of shipping records and insurance documents.
Roman provided access.
He claimed he never knew Victor intended to burn Warehouse C.
“Then why hide it?”
“Because after Ewan died, telling the truth would have destroyed your father.”
“You protected him?”
“I protected the structure.”
There it was again.
Structure.
Empire.
Family.
Words men used when they meant themselves.
“Give me the book.”
Roman shook his head.
“I can still fix this.”
“How?”
“You marry Celeste.”
I almost laughed.
“She assaulted Delia.”
“She panicked.”
“She searched my mother’s room.”
“She was under pressure.”
“She knew about Theo.”
Roman went quiet.
I looked at him.
“How long?”
He said nothing.
“How long has Celeste known Ewan had a son?”
Roman finally answered.
“Before she met you.”
That was the moment every remaining illusion died.
Celeste had not fallen in love with me and later discovered opportunity.
She had approached me because of it.
Four years.
Every dinner.
Every vacation.
Every kiss.
Every conversation about children.
Every wedding plan.
A campaign.
Roman pushed the minute book toward me.
“I’m sorry.”
I did not touch it.
“Why now?”
“Because Victor has gone too far.”
“No.”
I looked at him.
“You’re scared he’ll win without you.”
Roman’s face told me I was right.
Before I could leave, three federal agents entered the club.
Miriam had arranged the meeting.
Roman stared at me.
“You brought them here?”
“I brought witnesses.”
For once, the old rules did not decide the ending.
Roman was taken into custody on a sealed financial warrant.
As he passed me, he whispered:
“Victor will burn everything before he lets you have it.”
May you like
He had done it once.
I believed he would try again.
