Chapter 1 - THE NAME HE NEVER FORGOT
Arthur hurried toward the corner booth, gesturing frantically for Roman to follow.
Roman didn’t move.
His attention remained fixed on Norah.
She was still kneeling among broken porcelain, one hand bleeding, her face drained of color.
“Get up,” he said quietly.
Norah’s fingers curled against the floor.
“I’m working.”
“I can see that.”
“Then let me finish.”
Roman’s jaw tightened.
Three years.
Three years of searching.
Three years of dead ends, false names, abandoned apartments, and people who suddenly forgot everything after he asked questions.
He had found her in the middle of a restaurant, wearing a cheap uniform and pretending she had never belonged to him.
Or perhaps pretending she had never belonged to herself.
Tommy moved forward.
“Boss, we should—”
“Get the first-aid kit.”
Tommy immediately turned.
Norah finally rose, though her knees trembled.
Arthur rushed toward her with a cloth.
“Miss, please, allow me—”
Roman looked at him.
Arthur stopped.
“Actually,” Roman said, “you can go.”
Arthur swallowed. “Sir?”
“Leave the dining room.”
“But I manage this establishment—”
“Not tonight.”
Arthur’s mouth opened, then closed.
Within seconds, he disappeared toward the kitchen.
Roman stepped closer to Norah.
She instinctively backed away.
The movement struck him harder than any bullet.
He stopped.
“Your finger is bleeding.”
“It’s nothing.”
“You always say that when something is wrong.”
Her eyes flashed.
“You don’t know me anymore.”
Roman’s expression didn’t change.
“I know you still bite the inside of your cheek when you’re frightened.”
Norah immediately stopped.
He noticed.
Of course he noticed.
Tommy returned with the first-aid kit.
Roman took it from him and placed it on the nearest table.
“Sit.”
Norah stared at him.
“I said sit.”
Her face hardened.
“And I said I’m working.”
Roman looked at the blood dripping from her hand.
Then he turned to Tommy.
“Close the restaurant.”
Norah’s eyes widened.
“You can’t do that.”
May you like
Roman finally looked at her.
“I just did.”
