Chapter 2 - The Date Roman Was Never Invited ToClare almost canceled.
She stood in front of the mirror on Friday evening wearing a deep green dress she had designed herself.
It hugged her curves without apologizing for them.
She added gold earrings.
Then removed them.
Then put them back.
“This is ridiculous,” she told her reflection.
The problem wasn't Daniel.
Daniel was kind.
Normal.
Predictable.
Exactly the kind of man she had always imagined dating.
The problem was that she kept remembering Roman's voice.
You think that was a trick?
She hated that she hadn't had an answer.
Her phone buzzed.
Daniel.
Outside whenever you're ready. No pressure.
She smiled.
That was the kind of message she liked.
No pressure.
No danger.
No six-foot-three mafia boss appearing in her doorway with opinions about seven o'clock.
She grabbed her coat.
Before she reached the door, there was a knock.
Clare opened it.
Roman stood outside.
Black suit.
No tie.
Rain on his shoulders.
She stared.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to make sure you're safe.”
“My date is Daniel.”
“I know.”
“You know?”
“I know everything about him.”
Clare's smile disappeared.
“That is not reassuring.”
“He's not dangerous.”
“That's generous.”
Roman glanced at her.
“You look beautiful.”
She blinked.
“That was not part of the lesson plan.”
“No.”
“Then stop.”
“I can't.”
The honesty stunned her.
Roman looked toward the street.
“Don't go.”
She crossed her arms.
“Why?”
“Because someone has been watching you.”
She held up the black envelope.
His expression hardened.
“Where did you get that?”
“Under my door.”
He took it.
Read it.
For the first time, Clare saw genuine anger on his face.
“What does it mean?”
“I don't know.”
“You do.”
Roman hesitated.
Then he told her part of the truth.
“Your father knew my father.”
Clare froze.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“My father died when I was sixteen.”
“I know.”
“How?”
Roman looked away.
“Because he helped my family once.”
She stared.
“That doesn't explain the message.”
“No.”
“It explains why you're suddenly interested.”
Roman looked back at her.
“I was interested before.”
The words were quiet.
Unrehearsed.
She felt them land.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I don't want you involved in my life.”
“That's convenient.”
“It's also impossible.”
Her phone buzzed again.
Daniel.
She ignored it.
Roman noticed.
“Go with him.”
“What?”
“I said go.”
“You were just telling me not to.”
“I don't want fear deciding who you spend time with.”
She stared.
This was not the Roman who gave orders.
This was a man trying desperately not to give one.
“Then why are you here?”
“To tell you the truth.”
“And?”
He looked at her.
“I was supposed to be learning how to charm women.”
“Yes.”
“I stopped caring about women.”
Her heartbeat stumbled.
“I started caring about one.”
Neither spoke.
Then a car horn sounded.
Daniel.
Roman stepped back.
“Go.”
Clare walked outside.
Daniel opened the passenger door.
Before getting in, she looked back.
Roman was still standing in her doorway.
Watching.
Daniel followed her gaze.
“That him?”
“Yes.”
“He always look like he's deciding where to bury people?”
“Pretty much.”
Daniel laughed.
“Okay.”
He started driving.
Roman remained outside until the car disappeared.
Then he pulled out his phone.
“Follow them.”
Marco's voice came through.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“You said you didn't want to interfere.”
“I don't.”
“Then why are you sending security?”
“Because I want her to have a normal date.”
Marco laughed.
“You're a terrible liar.”
Roman hung up.
The date was going beautifully.
Dinner was simple.
Pasta.
Wine.
Conversation.
Daniel asked about Clare's dreams.
She told him about opening a second shop someday.
He listened.
He didn't interrupt.
He didn't tell her she could do better.
He simply said:
“I'd like to see you do it.”
Clare smiled.
That should have felt perfect.
But when a man at the restaurant walked too close to their table, she automatically looked toward the door.
Daniel noticed.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“You don't have to be.”
She sighed.
“I know.”
“What is he to you?”
“Who?”
“Roman.”
Clare stared at her plate.
“I don't know.”
Daniel smiled sadly.
“That may be the problem.”
She looked up.
“I don't have anything with him.”
“Then why do you look for him every time the door opens?”
Clare had no answer.
Outside, across the street, Roman sat inside his SUV.
He watched her laugh.
He watched Daniel reach across the table.
And every rational instinct told him to leave.
But when Daniel touched Clare's hand, Roman looked away.
Marco glanced at him.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Nothing.”
Marco watched him for a moment.
“That's new.”
Roman looked back through the glass.
“I want her happy.”
“Even if it isn't with you?”
Roman was silent.
“Yes.”
Marco nodded.
Then a second SUV stopped behind them.
A man stepped out.
Roman's body went rigid.
Anthony Rizzo.
Rizzo entered the restaurant.
Roman's hand moved toward his weapon.
“Stay here.”
He exited the SUV.
Inside, Clare noticed Rizzo walking toward their table.
He smiled.
“Clare Bennett?”
She frowned.
“Yes?”
“My name is Anthony.”
Daniel stood.
“Can we help you?”
Rizzo looked at Clare.
“Your father used to talk about you.”
The smile left her face.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
Roman entered the restaurant.
Rizzo saw him.
He smiled wider.
“Roman.”
Roman stopped.
“Walk away.”
Rizzo laughed.
“You've always been protective of what's yours.”
Clare stood.
“I am not his.”
Roman's eyes moved to her.
Something flickered.
Pride.
Then pain.
Rizzo smiled.
“Not yet.”
Roman stepped between them.
“Outside.”
Rizzo shrugged.
“Sure.”
Roman followed him.
Clare grabbed Daniel's arm.
“What was that?”
Daniel shook his head.
“I have no idea.”
But when she looked through the window, she saw Roman speaking to Rizzo.
Rizzo said something.
Roman hit him.
Once.
Hard.
Clare gasped.
Security rushed forward.
Rizzo wiped blood from his lip.
Then he laughed.
He pointed toward Clare.
Roman's face became terrifyingly calm.
Clare knew something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Roman returned to the table.
“You need to go home.”
“No.”
“Clare.”
“You don't get to hit someone and then order me around.”
“I'm trying to keep you alive.”
“And I'm trying to understand why my dead father suddenly has something to do with your family.”
Roman froze.
Rizzo's words had triggered something.
He had forgotten she was listening.
He looked at her.
Then said:
“You need to ask your mother about North Harbor.”
Clare felt the blood leave her face.
Her mother had never spoken of North Harbor.
Not once.
Roman turned.
“I'm taking you home.”
She didn't argue.
For the first time, she was afraid.
Not of Roman.
Of what her family might have hidden.
When they reached her apartment, Roman stopped at the door.
“Lock it.”
“I will.”
“And don't open for anyone.”
“Roman.”
He looked at her.
“Tell me one thing.”
“What?”
“Were you really just practicing on me?”
His eyes softened.
“No.”
“What were you doing?”
“I was trying not to fall in love with you.”
Clare stared.
Before she could answer, he walked away.
She closed the door.
Then immediately called her mother.
“Mom?”
Linda Bennett answered.
“What happened?”
Clare swallowed.
“What's North Harbor?”
There was a long silence.
Then her mother whispered:
“Who told you?”
“Roman DeLuca.”
Another silence.
“Oh God.”
“Mom?”
Linda's voice trembled.
“Clare, you need to leave your apartment.”
“Why?”
“Because if Roman knows, then they know.”
“Who?”
May you like
Her mother whispered:
“The people who killed your father.”
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