Chapter 1 - The Broken Promise
The humid summer air clung to Harper’s skin as she watched Derek sprint down the dark alleyway.
He did not look back at her.
He did not hesitate to leave her alone with a man he believed was going to kill him.
Roman Falco stood under the flickering yellow streetlight, watching the coward disappear into the night.
The two massive men flanking Roman stepped back toward the black town car, their faces entirely devoid of emotion.
Roman finally turned his full attention back to Harper.
She squeezed her purse against her chest, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.
She had just traded a domestic monster for a completely unknown predator.
"Get in the car," Roman ordered, his gravelly voice leaving absolutely no room for debate.
Harper planted her feet firmly on the gravel, refusing to move a single inch.
"I am not getting into a stranger's car," she stated, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice.
Roman stepped closer to her, smelling of expensive cologne and tobacco smoke.
"Derek knows where you work, where your family lives, and every password to your bank accounts," Roman pointed out calmly.
"By tomorrow morning, he will realize he was humiliated in front of you, and his fear will turn into a rage he will take out exclusively on you."
Harper felt a cold chill run down her spine because she knew he was absolutely right.
Derek would eventually return to the apartment, and he would punish her for witnessing his cowardice.
"Who are you?" Harper asked, looking up into his dark, fathomless eyes.
Roman did not answer her question.
Instead, he reached out and gently took her bruised wrist, his thumb tracing the yellowing mark Derek had left four days ago.
His touch was surprisingly warm, completely devoid of the violence she had expected.
"I am the man who is going to make sure nobody ever puts their hands on you again," Roman said softly.
Harper stared at him, overwhelmed by a sudden, terrifying sense of safety.
She allowed him to guide her toward the open door of the luxurious town car.
She slid onto the plush leather seat, the cool air conditioning washing over her exhausted body.
Roman climbed in beside her and the heavy door closed with a solid, isolating thud.
The town car pulled away from the restaurant, blending seamlessly into the city traffic.
Harper watched the neon lights blur past the tinted windows, her heart finally beginning to slow its frantic rhythm.
"Where are we going?" she asked quietly into the dark cabin.
Roman poured a glass of amber liquid from a hidden crystal decanter and handed it to her.
"To my estate," Roman answered smoothly.
"You will stay there until I have completely erased Derek from your life."
Harper took a small sip of the burning liquor, her mind racing with a million questions.
She looked down at the brass apartment key Roman had confiscated from Derek.
Roman was turning it slowly between his fingers, his eyes completely unreadable.
May you like
Harper suddenly realized the brass key he was holding did not belong to the apartment she shared with Derek.
It was the spare key she kept hidden inside her desk drawer at the accounting firm.
