Chapter 8 - THE TRUTH ABOUT ROMAN
Victor's arrest changed everything.
The documents from the vault exposed years of corruption.
Roman's company was cleared.
My father's name was cleared.
But something unexpected happened.
Roman resigned from several parts of his criminal operation.
I stared at him.
“You're serious?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want Leo growing up around violence.”
“And you?”
He smiled.
“I'm learning.”
“What happens now?”
“I become boring.”
I laughed.
“You?”
“Maybe.”
He reached for my hand.
“I've spent years believing power meant having everyone afraid of me.”
“And now?”
“Now I think power is being able to walk away.”
I squeezed his hand.
“I like this version of you.”
“So do I.”
Then he looked nervous.
I had never seen Roman nervous.
“What?”
He reached into his pocket.
A small box appeared.
I stared.
“Roman…”
“I know this isn't perfect.”
He opened it.
Inside was a simple diamond ring.
“I don't want to rescue you.”
My eyes filled.
“I don't want to own you.”
He took my hand.
“I don't want to control your life.”
He lowered himself to one knee.
“I want to build one with you.”
I couldn't speak.
He smiled.
“Nina Walker, will you marry me?”
I laughed through my tears.
“Yes.”
He stood.
I kissed him.
Then a small voice came from the hallway.
“Does this mean Roman lives here?”
We both turned.
Leo stood there holding a stuffed dinosaur.
Roman looked at me.
I smiled.
“Yes.”
Leo nodded.
“Okay.”
Then he disappeared.
Roman laughed.
“That was easier than I expected.”
“He likes you.”
“I like him too.”
May you like
I rested my forehead against his.
“Then we're going to be okay.”
