Page 142 of Uprising

She frowns staring one by one at the six images and when she gets to the last one she freezes. Her face goes so pale, like she’s seen a ghost.

“Him.” She whispers, pointing to the average looking man in the ridiculously priced designer jacket.

Hastings narrows his eyes. “You’re certain?”

“Positive.”

“How positive?”

Her face goes so cold, her looks like she might just murder him. “Because I was in the room when he violated Roman’s sister.” She snarls.

I’m on my feet before I can stop myself, snatching that photo up and staring at the bastard.

“Roman.”

Both Hastings and Rose say my name but I look at her.

She looks ashamed, she looks heartbroken, she looks like she still believes it was her fault, that she could have done something to stop it.

“Who the fuck is he?” I growl.

“His name is Nicholas Austin-Reed.” Hastings says.

My stomach knots, I know that name, I’ve heard it before.

“He’s the President’s stepson.” He adds.

“What?” Rose gasps.

Hastings tilts his head. “I don’t want a word of this to leave this room you hear me?”

“You think I’ll agree to that?” I growl. “You think I’ll let you bury it? Let him get away with what he did?”

Hastings shakes his head. “You misunderstand me Roman. I’m not burying it. The President chose me as Governor for a reason. He believed Nicholas was involved, he believed he was tied up in a lot of Darius’s shit. But he can’t let that get out. He can’t let the masses know…”

“So his reputation is worth more than justice?” Rose scoffs.

“No one said anything about not giving justice.” Hastings says. “There will be justice. By estimation it’s more of the kind that you two seem to favour.”

“Meaning?” I ask.

He reaches forward, downs his drink. “I’ll be in touch. I need to speak to the President…”

“And then what?” I snarl.

He smiles at me, getting to his feet. “Then you will understand exactly who the President is and why he is best suited to dealing with Nicholas.”

“He deserves to die.” Rose says.

Hastings meets her gaze. “He does.” He agrees. “And believe me he will.”

He sees himself out while I’m just stood, seething, feeling my blood boil. I knew Darius’s reach went far but I didn’t believe he had a direct line to the President. A direct link.

“Do you trust him?” Rose asks me.

I blink, realising she’s stood in front of me, her body so close to mine. I can see those frown lines on her face, I can see the dark circles under eyes still. She’s been through so much. She’s endured so much. I lift my fingers tracing her skin, tracing her lips and she shuts her eyes, trying to control herself in this moment.

“He could have had you arrested.” I murmur.