Chapter 255

Chapter 255:

Rose’s expression didn’t change. “What kind of evidence?”

“Plans for the bombings. A journal. Emails detailing everything.”

“Someone must have broken in,” she said, turning away to look for her clothes. “Planted that stuff to frame you.”

“The funny thing is,” Herod said, his voice deadly quiet, “Martinez said your name didn’t appear anywhere in the evidence. Not once.”

Rose stilled for just a moment before continuing to sort through her clothes. “Lucky for me, I guess.”

“No,” Herod stood up, his voice growing colder. “Not luck. Planning. Careful, detailed planning.”

Rose turned to face him, her mask finally slipping. The coldness in her eyes matched the chill spreading through Herod’s body.

“What exactly are you suggesting?” she asked, her tone flat.

“You set me up.” The words hung in the air between them. “You arranged for evidence that points only to me. You made sure you had alibis for both bombings. You’ve been planning to make me the fall guy from the beginning.”

Rose didn’t deny it. Instead, she tilted her head, studying him like a scientist might observe a lab specimen. “And if I did? What would you do about it?”

The question caught him off guard. He had expected denial, outrage, maybe even tears. Not this calm admission.

“I could go to the FBI,” he said. “Tell them everything. About your involvement, your planning.”

“With what proof?” Rose laughed, a harsh sound that scraped his nerves raw. “Your word against a mountain of evidence showing you acted alone? A desperate attempt to shift the blame from a guilty man?”

She was right, and they both knew it. He had nothing to prove her involvement, while she had carefully built a case that would bury him.

“Why?” he asked, his voice breaking slightly. “I thought we were in this together. I thought…” He couldn’t finish the sentence. It sounded pathetic, even in his head.

“You thought I loved you?” Rose dropped her towel and began dressing, completely unconcerned with her nakedness. “Poor Herod. Always wanting what he can’t have.”

Her casual cruelty cut deeper than he had expected. Despite everything, some foolish part of him had still believed their connection was real. The nights they’d spent planning, talking, making love—had it all been strategy on her part?

“I gave you everything,” he said. “Money. Resources. I helped you go after Camille. Why turn on me?”

Rose pulled on her shirt and faced him. “Because someone needs to take the blame, and it was never going to be me. I’ve spent my life being careful, covering my tracks. Did you really think I’d risk everything now?”

“So what happens next?” Herod asked, feeling hollow. “The FBI catches me while you walk away clean?”

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