Chapter 14 - The Threat from the Outside
Two weeks passed.
Sadi’s life transformed completely. She spent her days cataloging the lower vault antiquities, working closely with museum curators from New York and Paris, building a world-class collection under Roman’s name.
She ate dinner with Roman every night. She slept in his bed every night.
The house was no longer a morgue; it was filled with light, laughter, and a fierce, unspoken love that grew stronger with every passing day.
Then, on a rainy Thursday afternoon, the outside world intruded.
Sadi was sitting in the library reviewing auction catalogs when Brendan stepped into the room, his expression grave.
"Miss Miller," Brendan said tightly. "There's a situation at the front gate."
Sadi stood up, setting her tablet down. "What is it?"
"A man named Derek Miller," Brendan reported, his hand resting near his sidearm. "He tried to force his way through the security barrier. He claims he has information about an federal investigation regarding Mr. Rossi, and he refuses to leave until he speaks with you."
Sadi’s stomach dropped. "Derek?"
She walked out to the grand foyer, where Roman was standing near the front doors, flanked by four armed security guards. He was listening to a phone call, his jaw set in a hard, dangerous line.
When he saw Sadi, he hung up the phone and walked toward her.
"Stay inside, Sadi," Roman said, his voice cold and protective.
"Is it true?" Sadi asked, her hands shaking. "Is the government investigating you because of the Moretti hit?"
"The feds are always investigating me," Roman replied, reaching out to cup her neck. "It's what they do. But your ex-boyfriend has decided to play informant. He went to the FBI yesterday, claiming I threatened his life at the country club, and offered to testify about my activities in exchange for immunity on his own financial fraud charges."
Sadi stared at him in horror. "Derek is committing financial fraud?"
"His firm is under investigation for embezzlement," Roman said flatly. "He tried to use me as a bargaining chip to save his own skin."
Roman turned toward the front door, his dark eyes flashing with a lethal intent. "I'm going to handle this personally."
"Roman, wait!" Sadi called out, stepping after him. "Don't kill him! If you touch him, the feds will use it against you!"
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Roman stopped at the glass doors, looking back at her over his shoulder.
"I don't need to kill him, Sadi," Roman said, a dark, terrifying smile touching his lips. "I just need to break him."
