Lauren had vowed to be there for me more times than I could count. She’d seen this coming even though I swore we’d make it. I knew I could come to her anytime of the night, and she’d take care of me.

But did I want her to?

I rattled off an address, one I probably shouldn’t know, but did, and watched the car shift into gear.

Rainwater beaded up and slipped down the glass windows, like tears falling from the sky. As the small apartments disappeared, giving way to grand historic skyrises, I felt the sway of my stomach lurch.

“We’re here,” the man said.

With apprehension, I stared up at the building.

“Thank you.” I quickly paid and stepped out.

“You okay, sweetheart?” he asked, his window cracked open once more.

“I think so,” I answered.

“Okay, you take care of yourself. I don’t want to find a sweet girl like you out on the curb at this late hour again, you hear me?” His words were fatherly, but it was the warm smile behind them that gave them meaning.

I gave him a sad smile. “I will, and thank you.”

My heart skipped a beat as the old man pulled away from the curb, leaving me alone once more. Soon, that beat turned into a full gallop as I made my way toward the elevator and then down the hall, slipping in with a nice elderly couple arriving home late from the theater.

My hand shook as I lifted it to knock.

And my breath caught as the door cracked open.

“Hi,” Roman greeted, looking devilishly handsome in a pair of pajama bottoms and nothing else. I gulped audibly.

“Hi,” I replied.

He pushed open the door, never asking for an explanation or a reason for my late arrival.

Like he’d always expected me to wind up here eventually.

I guessed he did know everything after all.

Chapter Fifteen

Everything had worked out perfectly.

I’d planned out every detail until the execution.

It was devious.

Calculating and deceptive.

But then again… when had I ever gotten anything in this world by being honest?

As Cara slowly walked through my apartment, looking from one spacious corner to the next, I couldn’t help but notice her swollen eyelids and the heavy posture she held.

I’d done that. I’d caused that pain.

No, he did, I reminded myself.

I’d only offered the bait, and now, I was going to be the one to bring her back to life.

Back from the misery and solitude he’d driven her to because of his own selfishness.

Jo had reported back just a few hours earlier, telling me it had taken little effort on her part to convince the asshat to a private dance. And, from there, it had been like taking candy from a baby.