TIT 4 TAT

Chapter 9

I woke up covered in sweats as tears trickled down my face, Roman and Gobert were both beside me, I sighed in relief realizing that it was just a nightmare.

“It’s okay, you’re safe now,” Roman mumbled as he held me in an engulfing hug.

“You can leave now.” Roman signaled to Gobert making him retreat.

“Come with me.” He said as he led me to another room, supposedly his room.

I settled on the bed as he poured water from the jug for me.

“Want to talk about your nightmare?” He quizzed as he sat beside me.

“It was just a minor blurry memory,” I mumbled as I thought about the nightmare.

“Everything’s fine now.” Roman reassured as he caressed my cheek. I slept in Roman’s embrace feeling more secure than ever, I felt…peace.

The sun crept in through the window embrace my face with its warmth, my eye fluttered open in realization that I was the only one in the room.

I scanned the room, the white walls standing high, the sun peeked through the large glass door on the balcony, the soft white bed was large enough to contain multiple persons, the room was enormous but had this warm feel to it. I strolled to my room and freshened up for the day, Gobert had dried up my bags and clothes, so I slipped on a green sweater and denim pants.

“The final proceeding would be a week from now,” I said as Roman and I ate breakfast.

“In that case, we’ll be going back to Venice tomorrow so we can prepare,” Roman spoke as I zoned out.

“Halle,” Roman called out making me glance at him.

“Are you okay?” He asked, and I gave a slight nod for reassurance and continued eating.

•Roman’s POV•

The man screamed in agonizing pain as I cut his second finger with a pocket knife.

“Who sent you?” I question for the third time.

“I can’t tell you, he’ll kill me.” He squirmed.

“Not if I end you first.” I cut off his third finger making him cry out in pain.

“Okay.” He breathed.

“I can’t give you a name but he gave me this.” He managed to pull out a card with his remaining fingers and handed it to me, There was a note written on it: ‘Don’t put yourself into her life or I’ll drag you down with her.’ It read

“Call him to meet you,” I said, Whoever was after Halle would have to go through me.

***

We waited at the abandoned warehouse for the mysterious person.

“There he is.” The man said as he pointed at a figure approaching.

He went to approach the man while I observed from upstairs, he closed in on the figure, and without warning the man pulled out a gun and fired at him making him drop dead and leaving me more interested. He gazed up almost like he expected to see me monitoring him, we held a moment of eye contact before he walked away.

***

I pulled into the driveway after a long day, I strolled into the penthouse and was welcomed by the aroma of homemade food, I followed to scent to behold Halle doing a little dance as she prepared dinner.

“You know we have a chef?” I spoke disrupting her movements as she flinched.

“Oh Roman. You scared me…welcome home.” She said drying her hands with a towel.

“I just thought it would be better if I made it.” She spoke innocently, my heart warmed at the sight of her, she was the sweetest person I knew so why would anyone want to hurt her, The fact that her ex was roaming around with a firearm disturbed me but so long as I was alive no one would hurt her.

“Did I do something wrong?” She brought back my focus.

“No, carry on,” I said politely as I headed to my room to freshen up.

We finished up with dinner and I headed to Halle’s room to bid her a good night.

“Mommy misses you too little pumpkin, and guess what i knitted a sweater in your favorite color for you.” I heard her speak over the phone as I made a little crack through the door to peek in.

“I’d love to see the drawing too, I’m sure I’d look beautiful in it.” She added, I gave a light knock before strolling into the room making her look up at me.

“Oh, and mummy made a new friend, want to say hello?” She said referring to me, then she handed me the phone.

“Hello,” I spoke reluctantly.

“Are you mommy’s new friend?” The chirpy voice spoke over the phone.

“Yes. And you must be Amanda?” I replied.

“Yes, I am. I made a drawing for mommy, would you like one?.” She asked.

“I would love one,” I replied.

After the call, we sat in silence as I thought about my encounter with Jeromy today.

“I’d like to propose a deal.” I started.

“A deal?” She repeated.

“A contract marriage,” I stated

“What?” She sat up to get a better view of me.

“I encountered your ex today and he gave me a note.” I said as I brought out the note and handed it to her, she glared at in for a while, I could see the pain in her eyes as she read it.

“You should listen to him.” She innocently said, little did she know I’ve hurt more souls than my fingers can count.

“My proposal will keep him away from you and with you bearing my name he can’t send people after you.” I voiced.

“He’s dangerous.” She said as she fumbled with her fingers.

“If he’s dangerous then he should be scared of me.” I noted, I didn’t want to drag her into my world but bearing my name would protect in some ways.

“Think about it for the night,” I said as I handed her a document bearing our contract procedures.

The contract would last till she was secure and had gained custody of Amanda, the rules were stated. No intimacy forced on both parties, boundaries must be respected, only both parties must know it’s a contract marriage, it would require both our signatures and a witness present.

I wandered to my room after offering her the paper, Once she accepted the proposal I would make everyone who hurt her suffer.