Chapter 4 - The Photograph
Serena stared at the photograph.
“That isn't me.”
Roman looked at it.
His face changed.
Adrian lowered the weapon in his hand.
“That's you.”
“No.”
“You were seven.”
Serena shook her head.
“I don't remember him.”
Roman whispered, “Because your father made sure you wouldn't.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
Roman hesitated.
Adrian answered.
“Because your father knew what was coming.”
The police arrived minutes later.
Roman's lawyers arrived before them.
Then the city's most powerful people began leaving as if nothing unusual had happened.
That was how Roman's world worked.
Violence disappeared beneath expensive carpets.
Serena refused to leave.
She followed Roman into a private hotel suite.
He removed his jacket.
A shallow cut crossed his shoulder.
Serena opened the medical cabinet.
“Sit.”
Roman obeyed.
She cleaned the wound.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Serena said, “Did you ever love me?”
Roman looked at her.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“The first time you fell asleep against my shoulder on our wedding flight.”
Her hand stopped.
“You remember that?”
“I remember everything about you.”
She swallowed.
“Then why did you spend six years making me feel unwanted?”
“Because anyone who knew I loved you could use you against me.”
“That doesn't excuse it.”
“I know.”
His voice was quiet.
Serena wrapped the bandage.
“You could have trusted me.”
“I was trying to keep you alive.”
She looked at him.
“From my father?”
“From the men who betrayed him.”
Roman's phone rang.
He answered.
A man's voice spoke.
“Your wife is not the target.”
Roman stiffened.
“Then who is?”
“You are.”
The call ended.
Serena noticed his expression.
“What did he say?”
Roman stood.
“We're leaving.”
“Where?”
“Home.”
“Roman—”
“Now.”
They reached the hotel garage.
A black SUV waited.
Roman opened the door for her.
Serena stepped inside.
Then she saw something beneath the seat.
A child's bracelet.
Silver.
With a name engraved on it.
SERA.
She picked it up.
Roman saw it.
His entire face changed.
“Where did you get that?”
“It was under the seat.”
He took it from her.
His fingers trembled.
Serena stared.
“You know this.”
Roman closed his hand around the bracelet.
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
Before he could answer, the SUV's rear window exploded.
Roman pulled Serena down.
Another shot struck the vehicle.
Then a voice came through the darkness outside.
“Roman Duca!”
Roman looked toward the windshield.
May you like
The attacker shouted one sentence.
And Serena recognized the voice...
