I watch in disbelief as Roman gently cups Eden’s face, his touch tender and concerned. The sight of their intimacy strikes me deeply.
“Roman Briar is not disciplining my daughter... He loves her,” I hiss, my frustration palpable.
“Yes,” the assistant confirms, nodding. “Roman Briar is a mole. His relationship with Eden is more than just a pretense. He’s been playing Devil’s advocate under the guise of bringing light.”
I slam the phone on my desk, my anger rising. “How long until the bidders get a good look at the lot?”
“One month,” They reply.
“And Roman still doesn’t know the kids’ location?” I demand.
“Unless he sees the remodel’s construction plans, he won’t find the basement anytime soon.”
“There’s something else,” They add, their voice tense.
“Go on.”
“Father Kevin called. Roman’s been speaking to the Vatican about leaving the priesthood.”
I’m enraged. Roman’s influence over my daughter is evident. “What’s next?”
“We need to give Roman a reason to submit, to back down. The town may be on lockdown, but Roman has resources. Onewrong move and Homeland Security could intervene. We need a strategic approach.”
“A threat won’t be enough. We need to leverage his attachment to Eden,” I plan, envisioning how this could work to our advantage.
“Let’s put Eden in the lineup,” They suggest, flipping through a portfolio of photos. They replace Zoey’s picture with Eden’s, emphasizing the new threat.
“Isn’t that what I intended?” I question, a hint of satisfaction in my voice.
“It was a threat, but now it’s a tactical move. Love clouds judgment. Roman’s attachment to Eden could be our leverage.”
Smiling, I savor the thought of Roman’s shock when he sees the updated lineup. “Dangle his prized possession and watch him react.”
“Yes. Eden’s value to the bidders will be significant, especially given her resilience. This could drive Roman to act recklessly.”
“And if Eden is out of the picture, Aiden will have to return home,” I add, considering the implications.
“Precisely. It sets the stage for us to regain control.”
My wife’s voice interrupts, soft and obedient. “Dinner is ready.”
“Prepare an extra plate for our guest,” I instruct, turning back to the plan.
We toast to new beginnings, savoring the thought of Roman’s downfall.
“To the end of Father Briar,” We both agree, clinking glasses.
Chapter 32
Eden
Roman tosses his keys onto the counter, his exhaustion palpable. His mind is a whirlpool of thoughts, each dragging him deeper into despair. His hands, bruised and stained with dried blood, speak of the violence he’s endured.
“I should have known better than to trust those men,” He murmurs, his voice heavy with regret. He runs a hand through his disheveled hair, his eyes reflecting the weight of his failures.
I reach out, gently clasping his hands to stop his spiraling thoughts. “Roman, you didn’t know—”
“But I did,” He interrupts, his voice sharp. “I knew they were low-life scum, and I should have confronted them. I walked away, Eden, and because of it, you got hurt.”
