Once he got Amara and Raiden back to sleep, he went back down to speak to Alexa. FBI agents were checking his home.
"You were saying", he said.
"At Max's funeral, I made a promise to protect you and your kids. I owed her that. I couldn't be around twenty four seven, I still have a job. So, I had Sami install them. Someone was watching you, but don't worry. We gave you privacy when you needed it", Alexa said.
Roman nodded.
"Not in my bedroom or my kids rooms", Roman said.
"Ok", she said.
She looked at Mike.
"Install them again, just not in the bedrooms", she said.
Mike nodded. She knew it was going to kill Max to not have the cameras in the bedrooms. She liked watching her kids sleep.
"What did she want?", Alexa asked.
Roman wiped his eyes.
"Something about some photos, a message, and that I posted them. I don't have any clue what she means. I don't have any social media stuff", he said shrugging.
Alexa nodded.
"I think I know", Alexa said.
"Don't you dare tell him", Max said in her ear.
Alexa removed her ear piece. Roman could help from his end. No one would look into him. Roman waited for her to continue. She showed him the photos.
"We posted these, anonymously of course. I guess she thought it was you since you blame Jason for what happened to Max", Alexa said.
Roman nodded.
"He's betraying her too", he said.
Alexa nodded.
"He says different, but I think we both know the truth", Alexa said.
Roman nodded. Then he stopped.
"How do you know I blame Jason?", he asked.
She didn't know what to say.
"Forget it. You've been watching my family, of course you know", he said, shaking his head.
She nodded. She placed the earpiece back in.
"What can I do to help?", he asked.
"Stay out of this. For Max. For your kids. I've got this and so does Sami. I will fill you in as much as I can, but you can't interfere", she said.
She knew he would do the opposite.
"Ok", he said.
"He's lying", Max said in her ear.
Alexa smiled.
"I could tell your lying, but I'll take it. Just be careful", Alexa said.
"Max could always tell when I was lying", he said.
"She trained me. Its how I know", Alexa said.
Roman chuckled.
"I guess so", he said.
After another month all had been quiet on everyone's end. It was like they all disappeared.
"Just got a call from Sami. Guess who showed up to do a gun trade? And I'm not talking small. I mean big", Hunter said.
He dropped a file on their table. Max had been watching her kids playing. School would be starting soon for Amara. Max set her laptop down and opened the file. Pictures of Drew and Jinder shaking hands with Finn.
"They also paid top dollar for them", Hunter said.
"What is Finn still doing there? Are you crazy?", Baron asked.
"He wanted to go back in. Alexa knows you trust him.", Hunter said.
"She told him", Max said.
Hunter nodded.
"He's bringing the money here.", Hunter said.
"Why?", Max asked.
"I've got an idea about what we can do with the money", he said.
"And that is?", Baron asked.
"You know very well I don't like being out of the loop till last minute", Max said.
"Finn doesn't know either. So you aren't the only one", Hunter said with a smile before walking away.
"I hate him", Max said.
Baron laughed.
As soon as Finn landed, he took the waiting car to Hunter's hideout. Once there, he got off and walked up to the house with the bags full of money. The door opened to reveal Baron. Finn quickly dropped the bags and hugged his friend.
"I thought we lost you", he said.
Baron smiled and patted Finn's back.
"You can't get rid of us that easily", Max said, approaching Finn and wrapping him in a tight hug.
He exhaled.
"I'm so glad your safe Maxine", he said.
They pulled away.
"There's six more bags like this. Full of cash", Finn said.
"I'll get them", Baron said.
Max walked him into the kitchen where they had everything set up.
"Does your husband know?", Finn asked.
"No", she said sadly.
Finn put a hand on her shoulder.
"Then let's finish this and get you home", Finn said.
Max nodded. Hunter waited till Baron had all the bags inside.
"Did you search them?", Baron asked.
Finn nodded.
"On the plane ride to Washington and then on my next flight here. Also had it counted just in case. It's all there", Finn said.
He went to Washington first to make sure he wasn't being watched.
"So, what's the plan Hunter?", Max asked.
"We make our own deal with Zelina and Andrade", he said.
Roman and the kids were enjoying a pool day. They planned this so everyone could spend time with Brie and Dean's new baby boy, Cade. She had him two months ago and Max missed it. Everyone was here. He was glad his kids were smiling again. He wasn't staying up anymore and sitting in the dark. Sleep didn't come easy though, he still though a lot about his wife, and spoke to her before falling asleep.
"How are you doing?", Dean asked.
"Its been almost six months. It's still hard, but, I can't keep hurting myself. It's only hurting them too", Roman said, eyes on his kids.
Dean nodded.
"So, dating?", Dean asked.
"No. There was only one woman for me. I lost her. My focus now is on my kids", Roman said.
"I'm not saying now, but", Roman stopped his friend.
"No", he said stern.
Dean nodded. Nia walked over to her brother. A not so happy look on her face.
"Seriously?", she asked.
"What?", Roman asked.
Roman and Dean were confused till a bright red head made them turn.
"Roman, brother, no", Dean said.
"Stop. I don't know why she's here and that is never and I mean never happening again.", Roman said.
He wiped his hands and stood. Making his way to her. She smiled and waved. He stood in front of her.
"What are you doing here, Eva?", he asked.
He was aware of everyone's eyes on him. Including the twins. Brie crossed her arms over her chest.
"I just, was thinking about you and I wanted to check on you. I know we've been through a lot and it wasn't good, but I still care about you. My feelings were real. I want you happy and I knew you were with her, you loved her.", Eva said.
Roman sighed.
"Thanks, but you didn't have too. As you can see, I have enough people checking on me", Roman said.
Eva looked around at all the unhappy faces.
"Can we talk inside, please. I can feel the anger", she whispered to him.
Roman sighed and nodded. The faster he got her out of here, the less likely she was to die. He knew the women would pounce on her if given the chance. They walked in and made their way to the living room. She touched his arm and he moved back a bit, letting her hand drop.
"Look, thank you for coming to check on me, but as I said, I have enough people doing that already.", Roman said.
Eva smiled, her hand moving to his chest.
"Then maybe I can help you with something else", she said.
Right now he felt like he would never be able to share a bed with someone else. Eventually he knew his needs would win out, but Eva wasn't going to be that woman. No matter how much he needed it. Eva didn't want kids and he could never trust her around his.
"Eva, no", he said, knowing where she was going with this.
He moved back and she followed. The couch stopping him from moving. She leaned up and kissed him. He took her arms and pushed her away.
"I said no", he said stern.
Hearing Eva on her computer, she stopped what she was doing. Baron and Finn stepped away to give her some privacy. Hunter closed the doors. Max watched as Eva touched her husband and offered him what she couldn't give him at the moment.
Max wiped her cheeks. She knew Roman would say no, but it didn't stop from hurting when she kissed him. Then the worst happened when she heard her daughter's voice.
"Daddy", they both turned to see Amara standing there.
"Mara", he said softly.
Amara looked at Eva.
"Roman, I'm", he stopped her.
"Save it and get out. Don't you ever come near me or my family again", Roman said.
He watched Eva leave before looking at his daughter. Her tears were falling.
"What about mommy? Don't you love her anymore?", Amara asked.
"Oh baby", he said, his own tears falling.
"I hate you and mommy hates you. She's coming home and she's taking me and Raiden away with her. I hate you", Amara said, before running back out.
He sat on his floor and cried. Hearing the back door open and seeing his friends. He wiped his cheeks and sighed.
"Hey, what happened?", Seth asked.
Dean and Seth joining him on the floor.
"Eva kissed me and she saw. She thinks I, I wouldn't. I love Max and, shit how am I going to fix this", Roman said.
"She says Max is coming home. Roman, you need to get her to talk to someone or you talk to her. I know it hurts, but she needs you. You need to let her know that Max isn't coming home.", Dean said.
"I know", Roman said.
Dean wrapped his arm around Roman.
"I'm sorry, brother", Dean said.
"I wish we could bring her back for you. I really do", Seth said, squeezing Roman's knee.
After awhile, they got up and went out back. Amara was in Dina's arms. His daughter looked away from him.
"We need to talk, bug", Roman said, bending down and rubbing Amara's back.
"No", Amara said.
His mother in law squeezed his hand. She kissed her granddaughter's head.
"Mara, let your daddy explain. Please.", Dina said.
Amara looked at her. Fresh tears falling. She looked at her dad. He held his arms open and she quickly made her way to him. Wrapping her arms around his neck. He kissed the side of her head.
"Excuse us for just a second", Roman said.
A/N: If you haven't already, check out the poll and let me know how you prefer I update. Closes Sunday.