KATELYNN
It seemed I was in a dream, a nightmare impossible to escape.
One minute I had a gun at a man's head, demanding answers, and the next, I am being pulled into his arms, surrounded by police officers.
My mind raced, trying to grasp the situation at hand.
I couldn't believe that the man denied any involvement in my father's murder. Was he telling the truth? Or was he just a skilled liar?
My eyes darted to his face, there was something in his eyes that made me pause. A flicker of recognition—of concern. But a mask of calmness quickly replaced it.
"Angel, are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.
A sudden surge of anger washed over me at his question. How dare he call me "angel" after what he had done? But as I looked into his eyes, it was filled with concern, something that made me hesitate.
"Y-yes," I stuttered, trying to play along.
The man feigned a sigh, "Thank goodness. Officers, please find the man who did this to my angel," he added, turning my head side by side with my chin.
"The assailant was a man?" one officer asked, puzzled. The man nodded in agreement. "I could have sworn that the lady who called us," he turned and pointed to the maid. "Told us the assailant was an armed woman."
The man glanced briefly at his shivering maid at the corner, "I am sure it was a man. Right, Sofia?"
The maid nodded frantically, still shivering.
"Thank you very much, Officers. Here is my contact information, please call me when you catch the culprit." The man said, shaking them both.
The confused officers shook him back politely.
The police officers seemed to buy our story, and they soon left.
But as soon as they were gone, the man's demeanor changed. He released me from his arms, and I felt a chill run down my spine.
"We need to talk," he said, his voice firm.
I nodded, my heart racing. What was he going to say? Was he going to confess to my father's murder?
As we walked into the living room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I was alone with a man who might be a murderer. But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something there that made me wonder if I had misjudged him.
Romano gestured for me to sit down, and I did, trying to calm my racing heart. He sat down across from me, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Who is Aidan?" he asked, his voice soft.
I felt a pang of surprise. How did he know about Aidan?
"My son," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. Why was I answering his question?
The man's eyes widened, and he leaned forward. "Your son?" he repeated.
I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. What was he going to do with this information?
But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something there that gave me hope. I might have been wrong about him. Maybe he wasn't the monster I thought he was.
Romano leaned further, his elbows on his knees. "Tell me about Aidan," he said, his voice soft.
Taken by surprise at him being oddly curious about my life, I glanced at him puzzledly, my brows knitted in confusion.
But his soft gaze gave me a sense of trust that I couldn't explain.
Maybe it was the way he looked at me, or maybe it was the way he spoke. But as I told him about Aidan, I felt a sense of hope that I hadn't felt in a long time.
"Aidan is...my everything," I said, my voice cracking. "He's the reason I'm still standing. After my father's death, grief and anger consumed me. But Aidan...he brought light into my life."
The man listened intently, his eyes never leaving mine. I could see the compassion in his eyes, the understanding.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry for your loss."
I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at him. No one had ever apologized to me like that before. No one had ever shown me such kindness.
No, his mere words of comfort shouldn't dismay me. He was a murderer.
"Thank you," I said, my voice cracking.
Romano reached out and took my hands, his touch was warm and gentle, his eyes still locked on mine. I flinched and tried to pull away but he tightened his grip. "I know I didn't kill your father," he said, his voice firm. "But I want to help you find out who did."
I was of surprise at his words. Why would he want to help me? What did he have to gain? Was he trying to get away with the murder? I can't believe this man.
I glanced at him through my eyelashes, I saw something there that made me almost trust him. Maybe it was the sincerity in his voice, or maybe it was the kindness in his eyes.
But whatever it was, I could ...trust him. Maybe.
This was my father we were talking about, even if it involved teaming up with an enemy to give him justice. I will.
Two can play this game.
He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Let's work together to find out who killed your father."
I searched his face, looking for any sign of deception. But all I saw was sincerity.
"Okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
I felt a sense of hope that I hadn't felt in a long time. I might have found an ally in him. Maybe together, we could uncover the truth and bring justice to my father.
But I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was playing with fire. That this man, with his charming smile and piercing eyes, was hiding something
beneath all the front.
"What's your name?" I asked,
trying to sound casual.
"Romano," he replied, his voice low and smooth.
I raised an eyebrow. "Just Romano?"
He chuckled. "Romano Alessandro. And you are?"
I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Katelynn Moore."
Romano's eyes narrowed slightly as if he was trying to place me. But I knew I had never met him before. At least, I didn't think I had.
"So, Katelynn," Romano said, his voice dripping with charm. "Tell me more about your father's murder. What makes you think I was involved?"
I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. I had been so focused on finding my father's killer that I hadn't stopped to think about the details.
"It was five years ago," I started. "My father was a business owner.
He had many enemies, but I never thought... I never thought it would come to this."
Romano's eyes were intent on mine, his expression serious.
"Go on," he encouraged.
I swallowed hard, trying to push back the memories. "The police investigation turned up nothing. No leads, no suspects. It was like my father just...vanished. But after five years of fruitless investigation, I received a parcel containing the house address of the murderer."
Romano's expression softened, and he reached out to touch my arm. I flinched, surprised by the contact.
"I'm sorry, Katelynn," he said, his voice full of compassion. "Losing someone you love is never easy."
I pulled my arm away, trying to process my emotions. Why was Romano being so kind to me? What did he want from me?
"I didn't kill your father," Romano said, his eyes locked on mine.
"But I'll help you find out who did. Together, we can uncover the truth."
"Okay," I said finally, my voice low laced with determination and anticipation of what was to come.
Romano smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good. Let's get started."
And with that, our unlikely partnership began. I was still wary of Romano, but I was determined to find out the truth about my father's murder.
Even if it meant working with a man who was hiding secrets of his own.