Chapter 8 - The Betrayal
The next morning, Naomi woke to silence.
Too much silence.
She rushed toward the nursery.
The triplets were gone.
Again.
Roman was standing beside the empty cribs.
His face was expressionless.
Naomi screamed.
"Where are they?"
"We're looking."
"You said they would be safe!"
"I know."
"You promised!"
Roman looked at her.
For once, he didn't look like a mafia boss.
He looked like a broken father.
"I know."
Victor entered.
"We found the security footage."
Roman turned.
A figure appeared on the screen.
Naomi stared.
It was her.
Walking into the nursery.
Carrying the babies.
She shook her head.
"No."
Roman looked at her.
"I didn't do that."
The footage showed Naomi entering at 3:14 a.m.
But Naomi had been asleep.
Then Victor paused the video.
"Look."
The woman on the screen had Naomi's face.
But her walk was different.
Her hair was different.
Her clothing was different.
Someone had disguised themselves as Naomi.
Roman's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
Victor zoomed in.
A scar appeared along the woman's neck.
Marianne gasped.
"I know her."
Roman turned.
"Who?"
Marianne whispered:
"Kincaid's daughter."
Roman's expression changed.
"She died ten years ago."
Marianne shook her head.
"No."
She looked at Naomi.
"She didn't."
Then a phone rang.
Roman answered.
A man's voice spoke.
"You have twelve hours."
Roman said nothing.
"Bring Naomi to the harbor."
"What happens if I don't?"
A baby's cry came through the phone.
Roman's face changed.
"Touch my son and—"
The line went dead.
Naomi looked at him.
"Where are they?"
May you like
Roman whispered:
"At the harbor."
