A Warrior’s Second Chance novel Chapter 325

FAYE

I let Roman pass, saying nothing, letting him keep his silence. There was no use pressing him right now; whatever had happened, he’d tell me when he was ready. I watched him disappear down the hallway, his steps quiet, and I turned back to my own path, heading toward my chambers.

Once inside, I closed the door softly behind me and let out a slow breath. The image of his ripped collar stayed in my mind. He wouldn’t tell me, but I knew who would.

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and dialed Martha, keeping my voice calm.

“Martha,” I said when she picked up, “call the two new girls in the kitchen. Have them come up to my chambers, now.”

There was a pause, and then her obedient, measured voice replied, “Yes, Luna. Right away.”

I set the phone down and waited, letting the minutes tick by. It wasn’t long before a knock sounded at my door.

“Enter,” I called softly.

The door opened, and the two girls stepped in hesitantly. From their expressions, it was clear they already knew that being summoned here wasn’t going to be pleasant. They shifted slightly, uneasy, as if they were trying to prepare themselves for what was coming.

“Before we begin,” I said, my tone neutral but firm, “let me have your names.”

They were new here, and I haven’t yet taken the time to learn their names. After what happened with Maya, I was very careful about familiarity with staff. Only Martha has earned that level of trust, and even she isn’t exempt from accountability.

They glanced at each other nervously, then one of them said softly, “I… I’m Livia.”

“And I’m Selene,” the other added, her voice just above a whisper.

I nodded once, letting the names register. “Thank you. Now, I want to know exactly what you two were discussing in the kitchen earlier.”

I didn’t want to ask Roman–he was not going to tell me the truth if he felt he needed to protect someone. I wanted to hear it from the gossips themselves, standing here in front of me.

Both girls shifted again, their eyes darting toward each other, hesitant, clearly trying to find a way out without saying anything.

I let the silence stretch for a moment before continuing, my tone sharpening slightly. “Maybe you’re already tired of working here. Perhaps that’s why you feel the need to gossip. I cannot work with people l cannot trust or count on–especially those who pass judgment and spread rumors instead of doing their jobs.”

They flinched at my words, shrinking slightly under my gaze. “Now,” I said, my voice calm but commanding, “you may tell me, or you may leave my presence.”

Livia opened her mouth, as if to speak, but Selene put a hand lightly on her arm, holding her back. The tension in the room was thick, and I could see the internal struggle in both of them.

Then Livia cracked first. Her voice was small, hesitant, but she spoke. “We… we were talking about… about Roman. We heard what happened… that he-”

I raised a hand, silencing her just long enough to let her gather herself. “Go on,” I said softly, letting her continue.

Selene glanced nervously at me, then spoke in a whisper. “We heard he was beaten up at the yard this afternoon.”

I tilted my head slightly, letting my gaze travel over them both, measuring their tone, their hesitation, their fear. “And the individuals who did this–who were they?” I asked, my voice strained to be stable.

Both girls hesitated, glancing at each other again. Livia finally muttered one name, Mason, almost under her breath.

“Only Mason?” I asked.

Selene shook her head. “I don’t… I don’t know who else it was, I swear,” she said, voice trembling.

I nodded slowly, taking the information in. Enough for now. I didn’t need to humiliate them further; fear had done its work.

“Very well,” I said, my voice calmer now. “You may leave. And remember this–the next time you think to gossip, or act without integrity, you will answer directly to me.”

They nodded frantically, gathering themselves and moving quickly toward the door.

As the door closed behind them, I let out a slow breath, feeling the tension leave the room in waves. The pieces were coming together, and now I had a name, I could begin planning my next steps, making sure Roman’s path forward was protected–and that those who sought to undermine him understood the consequences.

But I had to verify that what they said was the truth before taking action.

–

I stepped out of my room. I needed answers, or at least someone who could help me get them. But I didn’t want to talk to Alexander about this yet.

Kyle. Maybe he’d know more than the gossiping girls, or at least could verify what had happened.

I walked through the hallways, until I reached Kyle’s quarters. I knocked lightly, pausing to smooth my expression into something casual.

“Kyle?” I called as the door opened.

He opened the door and raised his eyebrow. “Luna Faye,” he said with a faint smile. “Why didn’t for me? You came all the way here yourself.”you send

I smirked, letting the hint of amusement slip through. “It’s not like it’s a long distance,” I said lightly, stepping inside. “So it’s okay for me to come directly.”

Kyle shook his head slightly, but his smile lingered. “Fair enough. So, what do you need?”

I took a deep breath, letting the words out carefully. “This afternoon… Roman-” I hesitated for just a moment, gathering the right phrasing, “-was beaten up. By one guy, Mason, and his gang. And no one intervened. I want to know if you’ve heard anything, or if you know anything about it.”

Kyle’s expression shifted, a mixture of surprise and concern crossing his features. “I just got back to the packhouse,” he said seriously. “I hadn’t heard anything like that. But… I’ll find out. I’ll get back to you as soon as I have something.”

“I know.”

Something in my chest dropped.

Of course he knew… Of course.

The way he hadn’t pushed when I brushed him off. The way he had watched me instead of questioning. He hadn’t needed to ask because he already had the answer.

“You know?” I repeated, sitting up straighter.

“Yes.”

“How?” My voice was calm, but only just. “How do you know?”

His gaze held mine steadily.

“You’re not going to like this,” he said.

That alone told me everything.

“Tell me anyway.”

He didn’t hesitate.

“I watched it happen.”

The air left my lungs in a slow, stunned breath.

“You… watched?” I echoed.

“I was in the office and I saw it through the window,” he clarified evenly. “I saw the entire thing.”

For a second, I just stared at him.

“You saw Mason and the others beat him,” I said carefully. “And you did nothing.”

His jaw tightened slightly, but his voice remained controlled. “I didn’t want to interfere.”