Chapter 3 - The Ledger
Harper stumbled backward, her legs hitting the edge of the velvet sofa.
“Are you a stalker?” she demanded, her voice rising in panic.
“Are you some kind of psychopath?”
Roman did not raise his voice.
“I am a businessman,” he said evenly.
“And you are the junior partner at an accounting firm that manages offshore accounts for the Vargas cartel.”
Harper felt the blood drain from her face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammered.
“I manage legitimate corporate portfolios.”
Roman opened the folder and pulled out a stack of financial printouts.
“You authorize wire transfers for a shell company called Apex Holdings,” he said.
“Every Friday, three million dollars vanishes into a black hole.”
Harper shook her head frantically.
“My boss handles the client acquisition.”
“I just process the numbers.”
Roman leaned over the table, his physical presence suffocating the room.
“Derek didn’t date you because he loved you, Harper.”
“He is a mid-level handler for the Vargas family.”
“He was planted in your life to ensure those transfers went smoothly.”
Harper thought about the bruises, the isolation, the constant fear.
It had all been a calculated operation to keep her submissive and quiet.
“Why did he try to shoot me tonight?” she asked, her voice cracking.
“Because the FBI raided one of their warehouses this afternoon,” Roman explained.
“The cartel is erasing their tracks.”
“You were the loose end they needed to cut.”
Harper sank onto the sofa, burying her face in her hands.
Everything she knew was a lie.
“Then why did you step in?” she asked softly.
“Why keep me alive?”
Roman walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window.
“Because I am going to destroy the Vargas family.”
“And you are going to help me drain every single penny they have.”
Harper looked at his reflection in the glass.
“And if I refuse?” she asked.
May you like
Roman turned around, his eyes devoid of any warmth.
“Then I will let Derek finish what he started in the alley.”
