Chapter 10 - THE SHOT

"DOWN!"

Sadie shoved Roman.

The gunshot shattered the passenger window.

Glass exploded across the seats.

Roman pulled Sadie below the dashboard.

Another shot struck the door.

Roman reached beneath his seat.

Sadie stared.

"You have a gun?"

"I have enemies."

"This would've been useful information before marriage."

Even then, Roman almost smiled.

Another bullet hit the vehicle.

Roman checked the mirror.

"Stay down."

"Roman—"

"Trust me."

He opened his door.

The shooter fired.

Roman ducked behind the engine block.

Sadie heard two shots.

Then silence.

Terrible silence.

"Roman?"

Nothing.

"Roman!"

A hand suddenly grabbed her door.

Sadie screamed.

The shooter pulled it open.

Blood covered his shoulder.

He reached for her.

Sadie kicked.

Her injured thigh screamed.

The man grabbed her ankle.

Then Roman appeared.

He struck the man's wrist.

The gun fell.

Roman drove him against the car.

"Who sent you?"

The man laughed.

Roman twisted his injured arm.

He screamed.

"Who?"

"Grant!"

Sadie climbed from the car.

Roman released him just as sirens approached.

The security team arrived seconds later.

The gunman was arrested.

But his phone revealed something worse.

A text from Grant.

If Vale survives, take the wife.

Sadie stared at it.

Roman's face went pale with fury.

"He's done."

Sadie looked at him.

"No."

Roman turned.

"He's not done until we prove it."

"He tried to have you kidnapped."

"And that's exactly why we don't become him."

Roman stared at her.

Sadie stepped closer.

"You taught me power doesn't need to scream."

She touched his chest.

"So don't scream now."

Roman covered her hand.

"What do you want?"

Sadie looked at the phone.

"I want him to believe we're scared."

Roman's eyes narrowed.

Then he understood.

The next morning, Roman Vale disappeared from public view.

Vale Meridian announced that Roman had suffered injuries in an attempted robbery.

Sadie vanished too.

Financial reporters went insane.

Grant believed Roman was weakened.

Trevor, released pending investigation, believed Sadie was frightened.

They were both wrong.

Because beneath Vale Tower, Sadie, Roman, Evelyn, federal investigators, and Rachel were building a case.

One piece remained missing.

Proof connecting Grant to Daniel Mercer's death.

Rachel believed Trevor had it.

Sadie knew how to make him reveal it.

She called him.

Trevor answered immediately.

"Sadie?"

Her voice trembled deliberately.

"I need your help."

Silence.

Then Trevor laughed.

"I knew you'd come back."

Sadie looked across the room at Roman.

Roman nodded.

Trevor whispered.

"Leave Vale."

"I can't."

"You can."

"Grant will kill me."

Trevor became quiet.

Sadie continued.

"I know you have something on him."

"Maybe."

"Protect me."

Trevor breathed slowly.

"What do I get?"

Sadie closed her eyes.

"The trust."

Trevor took the bait.

"All of it?"

"All of it."

Another pause.

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Then Trevor said four words.

"Come alone this time."