Page 30 of Barinov

“For the love of God,” Nate grits, already moving. He ushers Roman to the table. “You’re not cleared to be standing, Roman. Come sit down.”

“I’m cleared enough.” Roman waves him off. “Now, answer the damn question.” He lowers himself into the chair beside Cade. A slow, agonizing descent that makes the air hiss through his teeth.

“Still combing through everything I’m afraid,” Nate admits. “Roman, who shot you?”

He frowns, looking genuinely confused. “Luca.”

“We know that.” Cade nods once and turns to face Roman. “But who is Luca?”

Roman winces as he sucks in a breath. “He was my mole in the NYPD back when I was actively searching for Bella as a child.”

“NYPD?” I ask.

He nods. “The trail went cold. All leads dried up, life went on, and we drifted apart. I honestly hadn’t thought about him in years until—”

He stops himself in a flash. His sharp gaze snaps up to me. “She knew him, Lex.”

My heart stutters. “What?”

“Bella. She… I don’t know, it was like she… she recognized him,” he mumbles, replaying the events in his head. “From the picture and then he—”

“What picture?’ Cade cuts in, leaning forward.

“One on my desk. She knew him. And he called her something right before he pulled the trigger.”

“What was it?” Cade asks.

Roman drags a hand over his face, grunting at the movement. “I… Fuck, I can hear it. It was um, sugar something.”

“No,” I gasp.

“Sugar Bear?” Cade whispers through a shaky breath.

Roman’s eyes widen. “Yes. That’s it. Sugar Bear.”

“You’re sure?” I demand. “You’re sure that is what he said?”

“Yes. Why? What does that mean?”

Cade doesn’t answer. He pulls out his phone and scrolls a few times. Then tilts the screen toward Roman.

“Is this him?” Cade asks, pointing to the picture.

Roman barely glances at the photo. “Yes, that’s Luca. Wait…” he says, grabbing Cade’s arm and pulling it closer so he can get a better look. “Why is he with my daughter?”

Cade turns the phone toward the rest of us. “It’s Jack.”

The room explodes into overlapping curses.

Tex’s eyes are blown wide. “What the hell?!

“Oh my God!” Ellie cries.

“No,” Knox mutters, shaking his head. “No fucking way.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Laing roars.

“What?” Roman asks. “Who the hell is Jack?”