I looked up at the kitchen clock, with its analog hands that so many people considered to be antiquated. I’d been on for a full minute already. Nothing had been accomplished.
“You took his bride, Colson,” Roman said. “As well as the drive.”
“I didn’t know I was taking either one,” I replied. “Not until Donovan’s men tried to kill us.”
“Doesn’t matter. He still believes he can retrieve them.”
I suppressed a scoff. “He can try.”
“He will try,” said Roman, matter of factly. “And you know what’ll happen if he succeeds.”
“Of course,” I acknowledged. “Which is why that’ll never happen.”
Another pause on his end, this one even longer. If he wasn’t trying to pin down our location, he sure as hell should be.
“You trained me,” said Roman. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten that.”
“Please,” I laughed. “Spare me.”
“I didn’t call to threaten you,” he said, tightening his tone.
“Why did you call, then?”
There was the faint sound of shuffling on his end. Paper, maybe.
“Because you’re holding something that will create even bigger problems than Donovan Prescott.”
Bigger… than Donovan. My brow furrowed.
“Explain.”
“The files on that locket,” said Roman. “You don’t know the full scope of them.”
That much was true. Theo, I knew, was still digging.
But Roman didn’t have to know that.
“Donovan’s leverage network isn’t the only consideration here,” Roman went on. “It extends into other, more sensitive areas.”
I glanced furtively at the clock. We were well beyond two minutes.
“Speak plainly,” I told him.
“You look at the files and see celebrities, politicians, corrupt businessmen. People who would be embarrassed or ruined if they got out.”
“So?”
“So the danger is in what you’renotseeing,” Roman said, lowering his voice. “There are deeper secrets within the files. Secrets held by people who don’t tolerate exposure.”
“You’re being vague.”
“Yes,” Roman confirmed. “I am.”
A rush of wind rattled the glass, outside. As if hurrying me up.
“You release everything, and you’re not just destroying Donovan,” Roman said coolly. “You’ll be creating all new enemies you can’t possibly fight.”
“Then why bother warning me at all?”
