Chapter 11 - ROMAN’S LAST OFFERRoman's penthouse overlooked Las Vegas.
The Strip glittered below as if nothing ugly could exist beneath that much light.
Roman stood beside the windows holding a glass of bourbon.
No bodyguards were visible.
Cole knew better than to believe they weren't nearby.
"Drink?"
"No."
Roman smiled.
"You boxers. Always terrified of calories before a fight."
"You asked me here."
Roman walked toward a table.
Another briefcase waited there.
"Five million."
Cole laughed softly.
"You increased the offer."
"You increased the inconvenience."
"I said no at three."
"Everyone has a number."
"No. Everyone has a reason."
Roman studied him.
"That sounds like something your brother would say."
Cole's expression didn't change.
Roman saw it anyway.
"Ah."
He smiled.
"So Ray finally grew a conscience."
"What happened to Ethan?"
Roman took a drink.
"He fought."
"I know."
"He lost."
"I know."
"He died."
Cole's wrapped fist clenched instinctively.
Roman noticed.
"Careful."
"You scared of me?"
"No."
Roman stepped closer.
"But men like you always think violence proves something."
"You've built your whole life on threats."
"Threats are efficient."
Roman gestured toward the city.
"Look outside. You see casinos. Hotels. Restaurants. Nightclubs. Do you think all of that runs on honesty?"
"Boxing doesn't belong to you."
Roman laughed.
"Everything belongs to somebody."
"Not me."
"Your brother said that too."
Cole stared at him.
"What did you do?"
Roman's eyes hardened.
"I gave Ethan a choice."
"And?"
"He made the wrong one."
"Did you kill him?"
Roman smiled faintly.
"If I had, do you imagine I'd confess because you're standing in my living room looking angry?"
Cole said nothing.
Roman walked to the briefcase.
"Five million. Victor's debt disappears. Your mother is never bothered again. You lose in seven. Take your purse. Go home."
"My purse?"
Roman shrugged.
Cole almost smiled.
Then Roman added, "And Darius doesn't have to do something he'll regret."
Cole felt anger rise.
"You don't own him either."
"I paid for his mother's life."
"That doesn't buy his."
"Tell him."
Cole approached the briefcase.
Roman watched.
Cole placed one wrapped hand on the lid.
Then pushed it back toward him.
"Tomorrow I'm going to beat him."
Roman's jaw tightened.
"Think carefully."
"I have."
"Your brother was given one final opportunity too."
Cole froze.
Roman smiled.
"He stood exactly where you're standing."
That detail hit hard.
"Here?"
"Different penthouse. Same view."
Cole forced himself to remain still.
"What did Ethan say?"
Roman looked amused.
"You really want to know?"
"Yes."
Roman moved close enough that Cole could smell the bourbon.
"He told me I'd never own a Maddox."
Cole felt something tighten behind his ribs.
Roman whispered, "Two days later, your mother was planning his funeral."
Cole's entire body wanted to move.
One punch.
That was all it would take.
Roman knew it.
He leaned forward almost inviting it.
Cole stepped backward instead.
Roman's smile faded.
"I'm not Ethan."
"No."
Cole walked toward the elevator.
"I'm going to finish what he started."
For the first time, Roman looked genuinely angry.
The elevator doors opened.
Cole stepped inside.
Roman's final words followed him.
"Then you better hope you know who betrayed him."
The doors closed.
Cole stared at his reflection in the polished metal.
May you like
Roman hadn't said what betrayed him.
He had said who.
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