Chapter 14 - THE CHOICE BEYOND POWER
Roman took his mother's words more seriously than any order he had ever received.
Over the following weeks, he began cooperating with attorneys and investigators examining Adrian's business dealings. The process was complicated, and his own decisions were scrutinized alongside the evidence against his uncle.
He couldn't erase the years he had spent leading an organization built on intimidation. But he could choose not to continue it.
He placed legitimate businesses under independent oversight, began severing illegal connections, and agreed to provide information about financial wrongdoing he had witnessed. Some men left when they realized Roman would no longer protect their old arrangements. Others stayed because, for the first time, they believed there might be a future beyond fear.
Meanwhile, Noah's medical treatment progressed. The assistance fund covered the remaining verified expenses, with clear financial records and no personal favors demanded in return.
I continued working at the restaurant, although Martin eventually promoted me to supervisor after the owner learned what had happened. I was proud that I could pay my bills without relying on Roman.
Our relationship grew slowly.
He never ordered me to spend time with him. Instead, he showed up at the neighborhood diner during my morning shift, ordered coffee, and asked about Noah's latest joke or the customers who complained about the eggs.
Sometimes he brought soup from his mother's kitchen.
Sometimes we argued about his habit of skipping breakfast.
One evening, he took me to the garden where he had reunited with Isabella.
“I don't want you to love me because I can protect you,” he said. “I want you to choose me because you know who I am when the power is gone.”
I reached for his hand.
“Then keep showing me that man.”
He smiled, a real smile I had never seen before.
But our peaceful evening ended when Victor called with news about Adrian's case.
Investigators had recovered a final document from the family boathouse.
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It contained a list of people Adrian had paid to conceal the truth.
And one name on that list belonged to someone Roman had trusted since childhood.
