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Author: Lindsay
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Caterina

“I guess my daughter’s too wrapped up in her important job to notice her old man.”

I nearly give myself whiplash, turning to him in surprise. “Sorry, Dad. What did you say?”

“Are they working you too hard?” His concern is evident, his brows furrowing with worry—a familiar look that tugs at my heart. He’s always been overprotective, but it’s clear he only wants the best for me, even if his methods are a bit much.

I’m distracted, but he has no idea why.

He waits, his gaze fixed on me from across the table, dressed in his usual shirt and tie. I wonder how many people have felt that same intense stare while sitting at the police station.

“No, it’s not that,” I say, reaching over to squeeze his hand. “I’m just tired. Didn’t get much sleep last night, that’s all.”

“Is Luciano not treating you well? I can have a word with him if you’d like.”

I involuntarily flinch at the mention of his name. I have yet to tell dad about the breakup. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. It’s not a big
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    Rage.It rushes out of me like a volcano, all because of what I’m witnessing outside the apartment building across the street from where I parked, waiting for Caterina.It’s enough to suck the air from inside the car and tighten my chest until my heart’s about to burst from the strain. Sweat beads along my temple, and my skin becomes tight. I’m going to explode.They’ll find me here, dead of a heart attack or stroke, sitting behind the wheel across the street from where Caterina—my Caterina, nobody else’s—ducks away from her ex-boyfriend’s attempt at mauling her.He owes her his life for that. I’m not stupid. I know he wouldn’t have stopped at a simple kiss, and then I would have had no choice but to end his miserable life. All that keeps me from firing off a bullet into the bastard’s skull is the way she rejects him. I have the grim pleasure of watching her shove him away with both hands. The windows of my car are rolled up, so there’s no telling what she says, but her facial express

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    The look of heartbreak on Caterina’s face makes me want to order a hit on Amalia at this very moment. “That you’d want me to get an abortion if you found out because you didn’t want any more children. That the last thing you wanted was to be tied down again.” The anguish in her voice slices me down to the bone.I’ll kill her. It’s as simple as that.How long have I told myself I must spare her pathetic life because she’s Tatiana’s mother? She’s never been a mother to her, anyway. I could have done Tatiana and the world a favor by getting rid of her, but I didn’t. Now it doesn’t seem to matter if she’s alive or dead.“For one thing,” I speak carefully so I don’t spook her, “Amalia does not have the first clue on how I would feel about anything. She doesn’t know me. You should know by now that she wants me to be miserable, which means making everyone around me miserable by association. Plus, she’s herself, so I’m sure it must make her jealous, knowing you’re going to have my child—a chi

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    “There he is, going around with all these suspicions without solid proof. I'm finally starting to understand how he must feel.” That, and how Caterina seems determined to look after me—the way she does with him.“Speaking of which, have you reviewed the list of names I compiled?”If my head doesn't fucking explode, it will be a miracle. I walked into this room feeling good, energized, confident. All it takes is a catch-up session to remember how overwhelming the past few weeks have been. Caterina or no Caterina, I've got enough on my plate to make any man want to throw in the towel.I made her a promise. I’m going to find out who killed her mother. I only hope she isn’t in a hurry, since at least a dozen possible culprits could’ve had reason to send a message to Charles.“I scanned the names,” I confirm. “And I'd like to set up meetings. Only this is touchy, so we can't make too much noise, or word might spread that I'm digging.”“You realize one of those names was Salvatore Costello.

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