He lifted his empty bottle as if forgetting he’d finished it before putting it down again. “She doesn’t. That first night, we didn’t do much… talking… and the next morning, I just said security and my scars from getting shot were from surgery when I was a kid as I didn’t want her asking questions, but by the time I wanted to tell her, it was too late because I knew shehated all things remotely violent. If she knew I carried a gun,”—he whispered that word despite everyone being too caught up in their own conversations to be listening to ours—“for a living and took out pedophiles and drug trafficking rings, she would hate me, but worse than that, she’d realise how shitty the world is and she’d lose all that innocence that makes her her. Do you know what I mean?”
I nodded.
“So, what do I do? I don’t want to lie to her, but I can’t lose her. God, sorry for unloading on you. I don’t have many people I can talk to around here, and well, I just thought you’d get it. Sorry if I’m overstepping.”
I shook my head, moving from my seat to take the one next to him because I wasn’t sure he’d want anyone to hear what I was about to say in case he decided to go through with it. “You’re not overstepping. A problem shared and all that.” I shoved his arm with mine. “Look for what it’s worth, and this might be a little unconventional, but make it so she can’t leave. Lock her in so when she does find out, she can’t walk away.”
His head flew sideways. “What are you saying? Like, lock her in my basement until she decides she can forgive my past and forget about what I get up to on the daily?”
I bounced my shoulders up and down in a shrug. “I mean, that’s one way, but I was thinking put a ring on her finger, tamper with her birth control, take her away to a remote cabin in the woods, and tell her everything. Make it so she can’t walk away and then make her listen.”
He looked at me with a wry smile. “And I thought Thomas and Sean were certifiable about their women. I sense you’re off the scale. Maybe Hana found out, and that’s why she vanished.” His look was accusing, but his tone was light.
I stilled. There was no way. Was there?
33
ROMAN
“You look pissed. You okay?”Thomas appeared next to me as I glared at my screen like it had personally affronted me.
“My car had two flat tyres this morning.”
I saw the moment his protective nature kicked in, and his gaze hardened. “Like, someone slashed them?”
I shook my head. “No, just flat. Garage thinks I’ve driven over some glass or something. Had to get it towed there this morning, and I can’t get it back until late tonight.”
“Ah, Monty’s a good egg. Not sure he’s got much of a life outside that place. He’s always there. Bet his wife isn’t happy.”
I chuckled because he had a point, but everyone in this town seemed to have a superhero-level work ethic.
“So, the tyres are what’s causing your face to look like you swallowed a wasp.”
I sighed. “Well, that and Hana.”
“Still no sign?”
“Nope.” I huffed dramatically. “I have Face ID programmes running as the tracker on her phone isn’t working. In fact, her phone hasn’t been turned on since she went missing, she’s not used her bank account… nothing.” I swallowed before voicing my deepest fear. “I’m worried she’s?—”
Thomas didn’t let me finish. “She’s not.”
I recoiled. “How the hell would you know?”
He held up his hand, the other one holding a clear bag with something inside. “I don’t. I promise. This isn’t me hiding her from you to teach you a lesson.”
“Again.”
He rolled his eyes. “Again. But last time, I knew where she was, and I didn’t keep her from you for long. I can see what this is doing to you, Roman. I’m not a complete arsehole.”
My lips twitched into the tiniest smile. “Just half an arsehole. What’s that?” I pointed to whatever he was holding.
“A distraction.”
I waited for more information before I let myself get too intrigued.
“This was found on a body last night.” He pulled open the sealed bag and shook the contents out onto the table.
“What is it?” I pointed to the black-backed, rectangular card adorned with a gold edge.
