Chapter 5 - The Woman Everyone Thought Was His Weakness
Two days later, Vincent's security chief, Marco DeLuca, entered his office carrying a folder.
Vincent looked up.
“What?”
“Someone has been asking questions about Mia Bennett.”
Vincent stopped reading.
“Who?”
“We're checking.”
“What questions?”
“Where she lives. When she works. Whether you're seeing her.”
Vincent's face became cold.
“Does she know?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Marco hesitated.
“Vincent.”
“What?”
“She needs protection.”
“I know.”
“She may not accept it.”
Vincent leaned back.
“I know that too.”
---
Mia reacted exactly as expected.
“No.”
Vincent stood in Bellamy’s kitchen.
“One person.”
“No.”
“You won't even notice him.”
“Then why do I need him?”
“Mia.”
“Vincent.”
“Someone has been asking about you.”
Her expression changed.
“Who?”
“I don't know yet.”
“Because of you?”
“Yes.”
Vincent didn't soften the truth.
Mia appreciated that.
“Am I in danger?”
“Not if I can prevent it.”
“That isn't an answer.”
Vincent stepped closer.
“Potentially.”
Mia went silent.
“Then one person,” she said.
Vincent blinked.
“That's it?”
“What did you expect?”
“More arguing.”
“I’m not stupid.”
“I never thought you were.”
“Good.”
She pointed at him.
“But he stays outside my apartment.”
“Agreed.”
“And no one follows me into grocery stores.”
“We'll discuss that.”
“Vincent.”
“Fine.”
---
The threat turned out to be less violent and more personal.
A former Romano executive named Anthony Greco had been spreading rumors to damage Vincent's reputation before a major hotel acquisition.
When Marco confronted him, Greco admitted everything.
He wanted photographs.
Evidence.
Anything suggesting Mia was secretly benefiting financially from Vincent.
His plan was simple.
Make Mia look bought.
Make Vincent look compromised.
Vincent wanted Greco destroyed professionally.
Mia wanted something else.
“Do nothing.”
Vincent stared at her.
They were sitting at the corner table after closing.
“Excuse me?”
“Do nothing.”
“He targeted you.”
“He wanted a reaction.”
“He investigated you.”
“And found what?”
Vincent paused.
Mia spread her hands.
“I live in a small apartment. I drive an eleven-year-old Honda. I work six nights a week.”
“He'll publish lies.”
“Then let him.”
Vincent shook his head.
“You don't understand how people like Greco operate.”
“And you don't understand how ordinary people operate.”
He frowned.
Mia continued.
“If you destroy him the second he mentions my name, everybody believes I matter because Vincent Romano protects me.”
“You do matter.”
“To you.”
Her voice softened.
“But I want people to understand that I matter without you too.”
Vincent stared at her.
That sentence changed his decision.
The next morning, Romano Holdings released nothing.
No threats.
No lawsuit.
No retaliation.
Greco published his rumors.
They collapsed within forty-eight hours when reporters discovered Mia had never received money, property, employment, or gifts from Vincent.
Her bank account contained exactly what a hardworking waitress saving for a café might have.
For once, Vincent had won by doing nothing.
Mia called him.
“You survived.”
“Barely.”
“Was that sarcasm?”
“Yes.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“Don't get used to it.”
She laughed.
Vincent smiled into the phone.
Marco stood across the office watching.
When Vincent ended the call, Marco said:
“I've worked for you eleven years.”
Vincent looked up.
“So?”
“I've never heard anyone tell you they're proud of you.”
Vincent's smile disappeared.
“Get out.”
Marco grinned.
“Yes, boss.”
---
That evening, Vincent arrived at Bellamy’s.
Mia had already placed coffee on his table.
He sat.
“Something wrong?” she asked.
“No.”
“You have that face.”
“What face?”
“The one where you're thinking too much.”
Vincent looked at her.
“Mia.”
“Yes?”
“Why didn't you ask me for anything?”
She frowned.
“What?”
“You want a café.”
“Yes.”
“I could give you one tomorrow.”
“I know.”
“Ten of them.”
“I know.”
“You've never asked.”
Mia pulled out the chair.
“Would you give it to me?”
“Yes.”
“That's why.”
Vincent frowned.
“I don't understand.”
“If you bought my dream for me, I'd never know whether I could have built it myself.”
“What if you fail?”
“Then I fail.”
“And if it takes five years?”
“Then it takes five years.”
Vincent stared at her.
“That's irrational.”
“That's life.”
She stood.
“And someday, when I open my café, you can come.”
“As a customer?”
“Yes.”
“Do I get free coffee?”
“No.”
Vincent looked offended.
Mia laughed.
“You're a billionaire.”
“That's discrimination.”
She walked away smiling.
Vincent watched her.
Then Marco's earlier words returned.
She never asked for anything.
And suddenly Vincent understood why he trusted her.
It wasn't because she didn't know who he was anymore.
May you like
It was because knowing had changed nothing.
---
