Page 252 of The One
“You’ve got the keys for the new yacht?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“All your new identifications? Access to your funds?”
I nod again. “Yes.”
My throat tightens. We’ve been through hell together, Rom and I.
Friends since we were eighteen. We’ve bled for each other, covered for each other, saved each other’s asses more times than I can count. And now we’re about to go our separate ways.
It feels wrong.
“Tomorrow night,” he says, his voice clipped.
“Tomorrow night,” I confirm.
He glances at his car, fingers drumming against the roof. He’s stalling. That’s when I know this goodbye is as hard for him as it is for me.
“I better go,” he mutters.
I nod, but my chest aches.
This is it.
The last time I’ll see him for who knows how long. Maybe forever.
And for all the times we’ve cheated death together, for all the fights we’ve survived, this moment,thisdeparture, is the hardest.
Rom turns to me, jaw clenched, eyes stormy with everything he won’t say.
“Do call one day, bro,” he mutters, pulling me into a one-armed hug.
I slap his back. “Until we meet again. Thanks for everything.” My voice is rough, uneven.
I ruffle his hair, and as expected, he swats my hand away with a scowl. He’s always hated that. Some things never change.
But some things do.
“Be careful,” I say, voice lower now. “After the news of our deaths breaks, the vultures will be circling. The wolves will attack.”
Rom’s expression darkens. “Yeah, I know.” He hesitates. “I’m tempted to just kidnap Bella and take her away. She’s miserable with that asshole. She deserves better.”
Bella, hisonethat got away. I only learned her name a few days ago when he finally opened up about her. He won’t admit he’s still in love with her, but it’s obvious. They’re talking now instead of yelling, but Rom wants more. I can see it in his eyes.
“Then do it,” I tell him. “Do what makes you both happy. You deserve it.”
Something flickers across his face, but he doesn’t respond. Instead, he turns to Mari and pulls her into a brief hug. “Take care of him.”
She smiles up at him, unwavering. “Always.”
Rom lingers. His grip on her arm tightens before he lets go. His eyes meet mine one last time. A final unspoken exchange.
Then he exhales sharply, steps back, and slides into his car. The engine roars to life, a deep, guttural throb that fills the silence between us.
He doesn’t speed off like he usually does. He drives away slowly, lingering for a second too long before finally disappearing into the distance.
I stand there, watching until the last trace of him is gone.
