Chapter 18 - The Predator's Game
The helicopter landed on the roof of a luxury high-rise in the heart of Manhattan.
This was Roman’s true sanctum, a ghost property completely off the grid and registered to a shell corporation in the Cayman Islands.
A private doctor was waiting for them.
Harper and Chloe sat in a pristine, white living room while the doctor stitched Roman’s wounds in the adjacent study.
The silence between the two sisters was deafening.
Harper, Chloe finally whispered, her voice trembling.
We can't stay with him.
He knew that guard was going to betray him, and he just waited for it to happen.
He is a monster.
I know, Harper replied quietly.
But he is a monster who is protecting us from an even worse one.
Davis will never stop hunting us, Chloe.
Not until he finds whatever our father hid.
The double doors of the study opened, and Roman walked out.
He was pale, but he wore a fresh black suit that perfectly concealed the thick layers of bandages strapped across his torso.
He looked every bit the ruthless crime lord the city feared.
The mole has been neutralized, Roman said, pouring himself a small glass of whiskey.
But Davis still has Derek.
And Derek knows everything about your life, Harper.
He knows your habits, your passwords, your routines.
Harper stood up, crossing her arms over her chest.
Then we use Derek to get to Davis, she said, her voice surprisingly steady.
Roman paused, the glass halfway to his lips.
He looked at her with genuine intrigue.
Go on, he prompted.
Derek is a coward, Harper explained, pacing the floor.
He only aligns himself with power.
Right now, he thinks Davis is winning.
But if we make him believe Davis is setting him up to take the fall for the stolen seventy million, Derek will panic.
He will try to cut a deal.
And how do we convince him of that? Roman asked.
I will call him, Harper said coldly.
I will tell him I found the offshore ledgers in your safe house.
I will tell him Davis transferred the money into an account under Derek’s name to frame him for the FBI.
Roman smiled slowly.
It was a dangerous, predatory smile.
You are suggesting we use the abusive boyfriend as bait to lure a cartel boss into a death trap.
Harper looked Roman directly in the eyes, showing absolutely no fear.
Yes.
May you like
Roman finished his whiskey in one swallow.
Your father would be incredibly proud of you, Harper.
