“I realized that if I stayed there, your world would destroy him before he ever had the chance to live.”
Roman staggered backward.
The impact of her words hit harder than any physical blow.
He dropped heavily into a chair and covered his face with both hands.
For the first time since she had known him, he looked completely defeated.
“I searched for you for four years.”
His voice emerged muffled.
“I wiped out entire organizations trying to find answers.”
Slowly, he lowered his hands.
“I thought I was avenging you, even while I hated you.”
Tessa shook her head.
“No.”
The word came gently.
“You were avenging your pride.”
Her gaze drifted toward the city beyond the windows.
“While you were hunting enemies, I was crawling onto a train headed for the coast.”
The memory made her s
