Page 56 of Stolen Wife
“You can hate him. It’s okay, Giada,” my mother says.
“I’m not crying for him. I’m crying for you and the way this all could have been avoided.” I lean over and touch her shoulder. Both women separate and Giada clings to me. “I’m sorry for what you had to do.”
“Thank you, my love. I’m sorry, too. If only things had been different.”
“Santino, I hate to interrupt, but the police would like a word with you.”
“Which one?”
“Randall.”
“Martin, protect them with your life.” I give Giada a hard kiss and brush her stomach before walking out.
It takes me another twenty minutes with the officers and their questions. They want to talk to my mother and wife, but it will have to wait. I’m about to walk inside when a woman in a suit approaches us. “Hello, Mr. Benedetti, is it?”
“Yes, and you are?”
“Sorry. I’m DA Erin Lowe.” Joey appears next to me all of a sudden, and I see something different in his stance.
“Excuse me. I’m here to have a private conversation with Mr. Benedetti.”
“I’m his personal guard, so...”
“Whatever. We’ve reviewed the evidence on the scene and the police were given a copy of the audio from staff. A copy will be also given to the district attorney’s office. However, from the footage and the audio, it’s clear he came in to kill you and you fought over the weapon. We’ve decided that no charges will be filed against you.”
“Thank you.”
“But I must warn you that it’s not over yet. You and Mrs. Benedetti must be careful. There are still loyal puppies to the Marchettis and should Marchetti get out on bail, I expect him to find a way to get to you. We can provide you with additional security if needed.”
“No, I have plenty on my staff and frankly, I have less trust in the justice system than I do in actual crooks. Is there anything else I need to be made aware of?”
“Yes. This morning we discovered the bodies of six men and a woman in a mass grave just outside of the city limits. One of the men was Detective Morel, and the other men worked for your father and the woman was Marie O’Conner.”
“Rafael’s wife...”
“Yes, we heard the audio. I’m assuming both men committed the killings, but as of right now the audio only links Rafael Jr. Also, due to the conversation you had with Detective Morel, we are charging Rafael Sr. with the murder of both Morel and Santino Benedetti Sr.”
“My mother will be pleased.”
“That’s all for now, Mr. Benedetti.” She looks at Joey and scowls. “You stay out of trouble, Joseph.”
“Whatever, sweetheart.” He winks at her.
“Is there something I missed?”
“She’s the one who put me in prison and she’s the one who got me out, even if she won’t admit to it. I want to bend her sexy ass over and remind her of how good our one night was.”
“Oh shit. There’s a lot more to that, but I need to take a shower and comfort my wife.”
“Lucky bastard.” We walk inside the gate, and security shuts and locks it up. I’m tired and need to take out my confusion about what I’ve done with my mouth between my wife’s legs.