Chapter 7 - The Desperate Deal
""Emily! Look at me! Tell them to take these off!"" Garrett screamed as he was hauled toward the doors. His hair fell across his eyes; his pristine tuxedo collar was rumpled and crooked. ""We are married! You can't testify against your husband! Spousal privilege!""
""Spousal privilege doesn't protect against crimes committed against the spouse's estate, Mr. Vance,"" Diane Vance replied smoothly, packing her files. ""You're facing twelve to fifteen years in state prison. Have fun navigating the commissary.""
Vanessa Cole was led out behind him, weeping furiously into her silk sleeves, covering her face as two more club patrons stared through the open doors with raised smartphones.
The salon descended into stunned silence. Uncle Arthur stood beside Emily, his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders as she took a deep, ragged breath.
""My God, Emily,"" Arthur whispered, tears welling in his eyes. ""We almost gave it all away. If it hadn't been for you...""
""It wasn't just me, Uncle Arthur,"" Emily said, turning toward Roman Vale, who still stood by the doorway, observing the aftermath with his usual detached discipline. ""Mr. Vale saved this company. And he saved my life.""
Later that evening, after the police had taken statements and the shaken employees had been sent home with promises of full transparency, Roman escorted Emily back to his waiting sedan.
The Boston night air was crisp and clean.
""Garrett’s defense attorneys will try to post bail tomorrow morning,"" Roman said as the car pulled into traffic. ""They won't succeed. I had a word with the presiding district judge about flight risks regarding offshore assets.""
Emily rested her head against the leather headrest, feeling an exhaustion so heavy it felt like lead in her bones. ""I don't even know how to thank you, Roman. You gave me my life back.""
""You gave it back to yourself,"" Roman said quietly. ""You didn't flinch in that room. Most people would have had a breakdown.""
""I broke down on a hotel carpet with you,"" she countered with a faint, tired laugh.
""That was grief,"" Roman murmured, looking out at the city lights. ""Tonight was war. You won.""
He pulled an envelope from his jacket and placed it gently in her lap.
""What is this?""
""The release of all Northline claims on Carter Harbor. Fully executed,"" Roman explained. ""And a joint venture proposal. Forty million dollars in infrastructure capital from Vale Logistics. No debt leverage. You retain fifty-five percent operational control. We break ground on the new deep-water shipping terminal in Gloucester next spring.""
Emily looked down at the contract, then looked up into the piercing gray eyes of the man Boston called dangerous.
May you like
""Why fifty-five percent?"" she asked softly. ""You could have demanded sixty. I would have signed it.""
""Because your father built that harbor for his daughter,"" Roman said simply. ""And I don't steal from daughters.""
