Chapter 10 - THE PHOTOGRAPHAt 7:12 a.m., Cole received the picture.
He and Darius shaking hands.
Roman's message contained only three words.
BAD CHOICE, CHAMP.
Cole called Maya.
"Meeting was compromised."
"How?"
"Doesn't matter."
"It absolutely matters."
Cole looked through the hotel curtains.
"Roman had us followed."
Maya exhaled.
"I've contacted someone I trust."
"Who?"
"State athletic investigators."
"I told you—"
"Not formally."
"Maya."
"Listen to me. There is a difference between keeping strategy quiet and refusing every layer of protection because you're angry."
Cole rubbed his forehead.
"I don't want Roman disappearing before Victor gets the ledger."
"And I don't want you disappearing before tomorrow night."
Fair.
Maya continued.
"Security around you is increasing. Quietly."
"What about Mom?"
"Already handled."
Cole turned.
"You moved her?"
"Your mother moved herself."
Despite everything, Cole smiled.
"That sounds like her."
"She's at a hotel registered under another name with security nearby."
"She agree to that?"
"Eventually."
"Meaning?"
"She threatened me with a wooden spoon."
Cole laughed for the first time in hours.
The sound felt strange.
Maya softened.
"You need sleep."
"Can't."
"Try."
"Maya."
"Yes?"
"Why are you doing this?"
Silence.
Then she said, "Because Ethan mattered to me too."
Cole closed his eyes.
He had forgotten that grief hadn't belonged exclusively to him.
Maya had loved Ethan like family.
After the funeral, Cole had disappeared into gyms.
She had stayed with Elaine.
Handled paperwork.
Cooked meals.
Helped when everyone else went home.
"I was bad to you."
"That's an understatement."
"I'm sorry."
"You're eight years late."
"I know."
Another silence.
"We survive tomorrow," Maya said, "and maybe I'll let you apologize properly."
Cole almost asked what properly meant.
Instead he said, "Deal."
He slept for two hours.
When he woke, Victor had sent one message.
I CAN GET THE LEDGER TONIGHT.
Cole read it twice.
Then another message arrived.
From Roman.
PENTHOUSE. 6 PM. COME ALONE.
Underneath was a photograph of Ethan taken the week he died.
May you like
Cole knew he should ignore it.
At 5:58 p.m., he stepped into Roman Drake's private elevator.
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