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Roman slid into the shadows. The instant he disappeared, my anger was jerked out of me as if it were tied to him with a piece of string.

I dropped the gun and turned back to Espo on the ground. Shit. He was losing so much blood. Too much blood.

I pressed my hands to the mess on his stomach. “It’s going to be okay, Espo. Just hang in there.”

“Why didn’t you step aside?” Espo asked, his face screwed up. I was the reason he hadn’t been able to defend himself.

“I just...couldn’t.”

“But…” he winced, “why did you let him go? You had him, Capi.”

“I… He…” How could I explain to Espo? How could I excuse the man who had him lying there on the verge of death?

I shook my head.

“It looked like… You know him.” The accusation was clear in his broken voice.

How could I deny it? How could I keep lying to him when the truth was so clear? I couldn’t.

I nodded. “He’s not who you think he is,” I said, trying to justify myself. My voice sounded weak and limp.

The sirens screamed and tires screeched as help arrived. Relief flooded me. Help was here.

Espo blinked at me, becoming still. “He’s the rose guy…isn’t he?”

I nodded my head. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered.

Betrayal clouded his eyes. My stomach stabbed with a thousand swords of guilt. I couldn’t explain any further. Strong arms pulled me back from him as Espo was swarmed with paramedics.