Chapter 7 - The Family Secret
Roman had spent thirty-eight years believing his family's darkness came from money.
He was wrong.
It came from blood.
Marianne explained everything.
Roman's grandfather had built the first Vale shipping empire through corruption and violence.
But Roman's father had tried to leave.
He had planned to expose the family's criminal network.
Kincaid had stopped him.
Roman's father died in what everyone called an accident.
Roman's mother disappeared afterward.
Marianne had helped her escape.
But there had been one secret they never revealed.
Roman's mother had been pregnant.
With Roman.
And Kincaid had wanted the child dead.
Marianne protected him.
Years later, she married another man and changed her name.
She had Naomi.
Then she disappeared again.
Roman stared at her.
"You knew who I was."
"Yes."
"You knew my mother."
"Yes."
"You knew Kincaid."
"Yes."
"And you never told me?"
Marianne closed her eyes.
"I was trying to keep you alive."
Roman laughed bitterly.
"You let me grow up surrounded by killers."
"Because I thought you were safer inside the empire than outside it."
Naomi stepped between them.
"Enough."
Roman looked at her.
Naomi's voice broke.
"My mother lost twenty-nine years because of your family."
Roman didn't defend himself.
She was right.
Then Victor entered.
"We found the leak."
Roman turned.
"Who?"
Victor's expression was grim.
"Elise."
Naomi stared.
Roman didn't move.
"Bring her."
They found Elise at a safe house.
She didn't resist.
She simply looked at Roman.
"I'm sorry."
Roman's voice was cold.
"Who ordered you?"
Elise cried.
"Kincaid."
"Why?"
"He threatened my daughter."
Roman's expression softened for half a second.
Then hardened again.
"Where is your daughter?"
Elise looked terrified.
"I don't know."
Roman understood.
Kincaid wasn't merely attacking him.
He was collecting leverage.
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Everyone Roman loved was a target.
And now Naomi was at the center.
