Chapter 7 - The Train Ticket to Montreal
Tessa did not open the envelope until sunrise.
Salvatore was in federal custody.
Marcus survived surgery and was placed under guard.
Daniel had given investigators the evidence.
For the first time in decades, the Castell and Bishop families had a chance to leave their old wars behind.
Yet Tessa sat alone in Roman’s office staring at Vittorio Castell’s handwriting.
Roman waited across the room.
He had learned something overnight.
Waiting.
Not deciding.
Not opening things that belonged to her.
“Stay,” Tessa said.
He did.
She broke the seal.
The letter was simple.
Vittorio explained that Eleanor had saved Roman’s life twice as a teenager by exposing planned attacks against the Castell family.
He had created a trust in Tessa’s name as repayment.
Not criminal money.
Shares in legitimate warehouses purchased after Roman’s mother died.
Tessa owned eight percent of Castell Logistics.
She stared at Roman.
“You knew?”
“No.”
“You’re saying I’ve been working for a company I partially owned?”
Roman almost smiled.
“Apparently.”
Eleanor entered.
Tessa looked at her.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because claiming it would have exposed you.”
Tessa folded the letter.
“I’m tired of everyone protecting me with lies.”
Eleanor’s eyes filled.
“I know.”
“No. I don’t think you do.”
Tessa stood.
“I needed a mother more than I needed protection.”
Eleanor looked as though Tessa had struck her again.
Perhaps she had.
Tessa picked up her handbag.
Roman’s gaze went to it.
“You’re still leaving.”
“Yes.”
His face tightened.
“Montreal?”
“I haven’t decided.”
He nodded.
That hurt more than if he had blocked the door.
Tessa walked toward it.
Roman said her name.
She stopped.
“I meant what I said.”
She looked back.
“Which part?”
“All of it.”
“You’re ending the engagement?”
“Yes.”
“For me?”
“No.”
That surprised her.
“I’m ending it because it was wrong. Chloe deserves her life. I deserve mine.”
He paused.
“And if you ever choose me, I want it to be because you’re free to.”
Tessa’s eyes burned.
Roman walked toward her.
He stopped several feet away.
“I love you.”
Five years.
Five years of silence.
Five years of almost touches, midnight coffee, hospital corridors, dangerous drives, arguments, victories, and all the words neither had said.
Now he said them when she was leaving.
Tessa whispered, “That’s unfair.”
“I know.”
“You waited until I had one foot outside.”
“I know.”
“I hate you a little.”
“I know.”
She laughed through tears.
Roman smiled.
Barely.
It was enough.
Then Tessa left.
Roman did not follow.
She drove to the station.
The Montreal train departed at nine twelve.
At nine eleven, Tessa stood on the platform.
She looked at her ticket.
Then at the city skyline.
Her phone buzzed.
She expected Roman.
It was not Roman.
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
YOUR MOTHER LIED AGAIN.
Tessa stared at the message.
A photograph followed.
It showed Eleanor meeting Marcus Vale three weeks before the engagement.
Tessa looked toward the station entrance.
A man in a gray coat was watching her.
The train doors opened.
May you like
The stranger started walking toward her.
And beneath his coat, Tessa saw the handle of a gun.
