“Because Donovan isn’t my problem.”
That got my attention. I sensed a shift.
“What is, then?”
“The consequences.”
The seconds kept ticking away. I was almost out of time.
“Donovan’s been emotional about this,” said Roman. “The four of you betrayed him. But I have no interest in the emotional aspect of this at all.”
“Let me guess,” I grunted. “You want the drive.”
“I want the situation stabilized.”
“Meaning?”
Roman paused for a moment. I heard him take in a deep breath.
“Donovan wants his bride returned to him.”
I let out an involuntarily laugh. “Not happening.”
“I thought you’d say that.”
“And the drive?”
“That part’s actually negotiable.”
“In what way?”
“You keep the files. The ones pertaining specifically to Donovan.”
I held the phone out in disbelief. It was the last thing I expected.
“You expose him if you want to. And only him.”
“And the rest?”
“They stay buried.”
Buried. Like everything else. Like all the other secrets.
“So you’re protecting these people?”
“You’re in deep, Colson. Deeper than you realize.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
Three and a half minutes in. Almost out of time.
“Let’s just say I’m protecting stability. Preventing chaos.”
“Then why warn me?”
“Because if you’re going to burn Donovan Prescott—”
“Do it clean,” I finished for him.
