CHAPTER TEN

KATELYNN

I couldn't believe I had agreed to work with Romano. A man who might be a murderer. But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something there that made me trust him. Maybe it was the sincerity in his voice, or maybe it was the kindness in his eyes. But whatever it was, I knew that I had to take a chance.

As we sat down at the kitchen table, Romano pulled out a notebook and pen. "Tell me everything," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "Everything about your father's murder."

I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. It had been five years since my father's death, but the pain still felt like an open wound.

"My father was a businessman," I started. "He had many enemies, but I never thought...I never thought it would come to this." I explained, my voice breaking.

Romano's eyes never left mine, his expression intent.

"He was murdered on his last trip to Italy," I continued. "The police found no leads, no suspects. It was like he just...vanished. But an address for his last visit was sent to me and that is how I got it."

Romano's expression softened, and he reached out to take my hand. "I'm so sorry, Katelynn," he said, his voice full of compassion. "Losing someone you love is never easy."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at him. No one had ever shown me such kindness, such understanding.

"Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Romano smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We'll find out who did this," he said, his voice firm. "I promise."

As we spent the next few hours going over the case, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we could uncover the truth and bring justice to my father's memory.

But as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the room, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Romano was hiding something from me. That he wasn't telling me the whole truth.

"Romano," I said, my voice hesitant. "Can I ask you something?"

He looked up from his notes, his eyes locked on mine. "Of course," he said, his voice soft.

"What do you know about my father's business?" I asked, my heart racing.

Romano's expression faltered for a moment, and I saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Something that looked like guilt.

But then his expression smoothed out, and he smiled. "I don't know much," he said, his voice casual. "Just what I've read in the papers."

I narrowed my eyes, trying to read between the lines. Was Romano telling me the truth? Or was he hiding something?

But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something there that made me trust him. Maybe it was the sincerity in his voice, or maybe it was the kindness in his eyes. But whatever it was, I knew that I had to take a chance.

"Okay," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

Romano smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good," he said, his voice soft. "Let's keep working together."

And as we continued to dig into the case, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we could uncover the truth and bring justice to my father's memory.

But as the night wore on, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Romano was hiding something from me. That he wasn't telling me the whole truth. Concentrate Katelynn, you are working with a murderer. 

 I couldn't help but wonder what secrets he was keeping.

As the night drew to a close, Romano walked me to the road. "Thank you for trusting me," he said, his voice soft.

I looked up at him, trying to read his expression. "I'm not sure I do trust you," I said, my voice honest.

Romano smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I don't blame you," he said, his voice casual. "But I promise you, Katelynn, I'm not going to hurt you."

I searched his face, looking for any sign of deception. But all I saw was sincerity.

"Okay," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

Romano smiled, his eyes locked on mine. "Good," he said, his voice soft. "I'll see you…tomorrow?"

"Maybe," I replied blankly.

"That is better than a no," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

I rolled my eyes and turned back to face the almost empty road. There was no sign of cars. How do I get to my hotel?

"Ermm Lynna…sorry Katelynn can I suggest something?" he asked, his voice low and steady. 

I turned to face him, "Sure."

"How about you sleep over at my place and then return to the hotel tomorrow?"

I blinked, searching for the perfect response but no words came to mind.

"It was a suggestion, not a demand. I'm not forcing you if you don't want to." he shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah. Thank you for the offer though. I appreciate."

"You're welcome." he raised his head to hail a fast approaching taxi. "Thank God. Here comes your ride."

He hailed the taxi, the driver stopped in front of us. He exchanged a few words with the driver in their language.

"Okay, you're good to go." 

"You can go now," I said, urging him to return to his house.

"No, I have to see you off," he insisted. 

"I'm fine, you can leave."

As he opened his mouth to argue again, the driver yelled. I couldn't understand the language but his voice revealed his anger. 

"Alright," Romano said.

And with that, he leaned in and kissed my cheek. A soft, gentle kiss that sent shivers down my spine.

As I watched him walk away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion. What was I getting myself into? 

I turned to enter the cab, but still couldn't shake off the feeling that I had just made a deal with the devil himself.

And I couldn't help but wonder what the consequences would be.