Chapter 8 - The Last Betrayal
The wedding was six weeks away.
Everything seemed perfect.
Then Kane escaped custody.
He took three guards hostage and vanished.
Rowan immediately changed security.
Mave hated it.
“You promised me a normal life.”
“I promised to protect you.”
“Those aren't the same thing.”
He stopped.
She was right.
“We can't live like this forever.”
“I know.”
“Then help me build something beyond your empire.”
Rowan nodded.
“I will.”
That night, he made a decision.
He began transferring his legitimate companies into a new structure.
No hidden partners.
No illegal businesses.
No criminal network.
The old Rowan Mercer would have called it weakness.
The new one called it freedom.
But Kane had one final move.
He contacted Mave.
“Your husband isn't telling you everything.”
She almost hung up.
Then he said:
“He knows who ordered your father's murder.”
Mave went still.
“Who?”
“Ask him.”
The call ended.
She waited for Rowan.
He arrived two hours later.
“What happened?”
She showed him the phone.
He stared.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“Who ordered it?”
“My uncle.”
Mave froze.
“Your uncle?”
“Richard Mercer.”
“He's alive?”
“No.”
“When did he die?”
“Two months ago.”
She stared.
“So why hide it?”
“Because he confessed before he died.”
“To whom?”
“To me.”
Mave looked away.
“You should have told me.”
“I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“That you would look at me differently.”
She walked toward him.
“I don't need you to hide ugly truths from me.”
“I know.”
“You need to trust me with them.”
“Yes.”
He took her hand.
“I’m sorry.”
She nodded.
Then hugged him.
“I don't want a perfect man.”
“I’m not one.”
“I know.”
“I want to be honest.”
“Then be honest.”
He kissed her.
Kane's attempt had failed.
But before he disappeared for good, he left one final threat.
A wedding invitation arrived.
Black envelope.
Inside:
I will be there.
Mave read it twice.
Rowan looked at her.
“Do you want to cancel?”
“No.”
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm tired of letting dead men decide how my life should look.”
May you like
Rowan smiled.
“Then we get married.”
