Trevor expected Roman to destroy him.

That was his second mistake.

His first had been assuming Sadi needed Roman to do it.

They sat inside the Galleria security office twenty minutes later.

The footage played on a monitor.

Trevor's shoe struck Sadi's leg.

Clear.

Deliberate.

Trevor looked away.

His attorney instincts finally returned.

“This has been blown completely out of proportion.”

The security supervisor frowned.

“The video is fairly straightforward.”

“It was incidental contact.”

Sadi stared at him.

“You're still doing it.”

“Doing what?”

“Lying when everyone can see the truth.”

Trevor leaned forward.

“You want money?”

Roman's gaze lifted.

Sadi answered first.

“No.”

“Then what?”

“Accountability.”

Trevor laughed.

“From me?”

“Yes.”

“You married a man like him and you're lecturing me about accountability?”

The room went quiet.

Roman leaned back.

“A man like me?”

Trevor realized too late that he had spoken without thinking.

“You know what I mean.”

“No. Explain.”

Trevor said nothing.

Roman nodded.

“That's what I thought.”

Sadi looked at the security supervisor.

“I want the incident documented. I'll cooperate with whatever process you need.”

Trevor stared.

“You're actually doing this?”

“Yes.”

“Over a kick?”

“No.”

Sadi leaned forward.

“Because you still think you're allowed to hurt people when you're angry and then tell them it didn't happen.”

Trevor's face tightened.

“I never hurt you.”

Sadi went silent.

Roman looked at her.

Trevor saw the mistake immediately.

“Sadi, that's not what I meant.”

She stood.

“I'm done.”

Roman stood with her.

Trevor suddenly panicked.

“Wait.”

She stopped at the door.

“What?”

His voice lowered.

“Don't let him go after my firm.”

Roman almost smiled.

Sadi turned around.

“You really think everything is about money.”

“I know who he is.”

“No, Trevor. You know his reputation.”

She looked at Roman.

“I know the man.”

Roman opened the door for her.

Outside, Sadi finally exhaled.

“You're quiet.”

Roman glanced down.

“You told me not to interfere.”

“And you listened.”

“I occasionally do.”

She smiled.

Then winced.

Roman immediately noticed.

“Your knee.”

“Bruised.”

“Doctor.”

“Roman.”

“Doctor.”

“It's a bruise.”

“Excellent. A doctor can tell us that.”

She sighed.

“You're impossible.”

“So I've been told.”

They reached the boutique again.

Sadi stopped.

Roman frowned.

“What?”

“I never bought your present.”

“You were buying me something?”

“The cufflinks.”

“No.”

She stared at him.

“You haven't even seen them.”

“I saw them.”

“And?”

“No.”

Sadi laughed.

For the first time since seeing Trevor, the tension left her shoulders.

Roman watched her.

Then she noticed something across the atrium.

Trevor.

He stood alone near the escalator, phone against his ear.

His voice carried.

“Find everything you can on her.”

Sadi's smile disappeared.

Trevor continued walking, unaware they were close enough to hear.

“Marriage records. Property. Businesses. Everything.”

Roman's expression hardened.

Sadi whispered, “He isn't done.”

“No.”

“What will he find?”

Roman looked at her.

“The truth.”

“That isn't what worries me.”

“What does?”

Sadi watched Trevor disappear.

“He spent three years believing I was beneath him.”

She turned toward Roman.

“Men like Trevor don't react well when reality embarrasses them.”

Roman's voice remained calm.

“Then we'll let him choose his next mistake.”

---