Chapter 2 - The Name That Changed Everything
Dr. Ferraro finished examining Elena shortly after two in the morning.
"No internal bleeding," he told Roman quietly. "Two bruised ribs. Sprained wrist. Split lip. She needs rest."
Roman stood outside his private office.
"Anything else?"
Ferraro understood the question.
"No."
Roman's jaw tightened anyway.
"Can I see her?"
"Ask her."
Roman entered.
Elena sat wrapped in a blanket on the leather sofa. Someone had brought her dry clothes from the club's staff wardrobe.
She looked smaller without the soaked coat.
But her eyes were clearer.
"You've been standing outside talking about me," she said.
Roman stopped.
"You heard?"
"These walls aren't as thick as you think."
"Apparently not."
She looked around.
"Who are you?"
"I told you."
"No. You gave me a name."
Roman sat in the chair opposite her.
"You really don't know?"
"No."
"Good."
"Stop doing that."
"Doing what?"
"Answering questions without answering them."
Roman leaned back.
"I own the Onyx Room."
"And?"
"Several other businesses."
"And?"
"Some legitimate."
Elena stared.
Roman stared back.
"Oh."
"Yes."
"Oh."
"That's usually the reaction."
Elena pulled the blanket tighter.
"You're mafia."
"I don't use that word."
"What word do you use?"
"Businessman."
She actually laughed once.
Then grabbed her ribs.
"Don't make me laugh."
"I wasn't trying to."
A knock interrupted them.
Sal entered.
His face was serious.
"Patrick Doyle knows she's here."
Roman stood.
"How?"
"Victor reported his car stolen tonight. Claims Elena attacked him at the Regency and fled."
Elena shot upright.
"What?"
Sal continued.
"He's telling people she stole cash too."
"He's lying!"
Roman raised one hand.
"I know."
Elena looked furious now instead of frightened.
"I didn't steal anything."
"I said I know."
"How?"
"Because men like Victor always make the same mistake."
"What mistake?"
"They add too much to the lie."
Sal handed Roman his phone.
"Patrick wants the meeting moved up. Six a.m."
Roman read the message.
Elena watched him.
"This is because of me."
"No."
"Don't lie."
Roman glanced up.
She repeated his own words.
"Remember?"
He handed the phone back to Sal.
"This started before you ever entered my alley."
"But I'm making it worse."
Roman walked toward the window.
"The Valentis and Doyles divided this city for twenty years. Two years ago, we agreed neither side would interfere with the other's businesses."
"The Regency is Doyle territory."
"Yes."
"And your club?"
"Mine."
Elena understood.
"I crossed into your territory."
"You aren't territory."
Roman's answer came so sharply that she went silent.
He turned.
"People aren't streets, Elena."
"Victor doesn't think that."
"I noticed."
Sal cleared his throat.
"What do you want me to tell Patrick?"
Roman looked at Elena.
"Tell him six o'clock."
Sal's eyebrows lifted.
"And the woman?"
Roman's expression became cold.
"Tell Patrick Doyle nothing about Elena."
After Sal left, Elena stood.
"I should go."
"No."
"You said you wouldn't keep me here."
"I won't."
"Then I'm leaving."
Roman stepped aside from the door.
"Go."
Elena hesitated.
He hadn't stopped her.
"You'll make it about three blocks."
"I can handle myself."
"I believe you."
"Then why—"
"Because Victor has already accused you of theft. Which means he isn't trying to protect himself from police."
Roman's voice lowered.
"He's giving his men a reason to find you."
The anger drained from Elena's face.
"What happens at six?"
"I ask his father one question."
"What?"
Roman looked directly at her.
"Whether two years of peace is worth more to him than protecting his son."
---
At six sharp, Patrick Doyle entered the Onyx Room with six men.
Roman waited at the long table.
Sal stood behind him.
Victor arrived last.
His eyes immediately searched the room.
Roman noticed.
"Looking for someone?"
Victor smiled.
"Should I be?"
Patrick sat.
"Let's stop wasting time."
Roman remained standing.
"Your son assaulted a woman last night."
Patrick's face didn't change.
Victor laughed.
"That's what this is about?"
Roman looked at him.
Victor's smile disappeared.
Patrick said, "The woman attacked my son and stole from the Regency."
"Did she?"
"That's what Victor says."
Roman slowly sat.
"Then Victor won't mind if we review the hotel's security footage."
Silence.
Victor shifted.
"Cameras were down."
Roman nodded.
"Convenient."
Patrick's eyes narrowed.
"Careful, Roman."
"No."
One word.
Quiet.
Final.
Roman leaned forward.
"The agreement says employees and civilians aren't leverage."
"She's a thief," Victor snapped.
A voice came from the doorway.
"No, I'm not."
Everyone turned.
Elena stood there.
Roman immediately rose.
"What are you doing?"
She ignored him.
Her eyes were fixed on Victor.
Victor's face changed.
"You."
Elena walked into the room.
She was still pale.
Still injured.
But she wasn't hiding anymore.
"You told me nobody would believe me."
Victor stood.
"She's insane."
Elena stopped across the table.
"Then look me in the eye and say you never touched me."
Victor opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Patrick looked at his son.
Then at Elena's bruised wrist.
Roman's voice cut through the silence.
"Well?"
Victor stared at him.
"You'd break the peace over some waitress?"
Roman's expression became unreadable.
"No."
He looked at Elena.
May you like
"You're going to break it because you still think she's 'some waitress.'"
---
