Page 16 of Luca

“Police! Open up!” a voice shouted.

I froze. Grabbing my phone, I dialled Trigger’s number again.

“Luca, what the fuck are police cars doing in front of your building?” he asked as soon as he picked up.

“It’s Julie—my ex. She’s dead on my fucking bed. Murdered. Tell Miki, I’m about to be arrested,” I said frantically, hurrying to the door.

“Police! Open the door!” the voice shouted again.

“Coming!” I called and rushed to open it.

As soon as I did, several officers barged in. They took in my appearance and the bloody trail of footprints I’d made from the bedroom. Two officers grabbed me while another followed the trail.

“Aw, shit!”he muttered, gingerly retracing his steps as he tried not to contaminate the crime scene further.

“We’ve got a dead woman, tied to the bed, throat cut,” he said, his voice holding a thinly veiled thread of disgust.

“You’re under arrest,” one of the officers holding me said as he cuffed my hands behind my back and led me out to the awaiting police car.

Fuck, I’m in so much trouble!

CHAPTER 9

CLAIRE

EVEN LATER THAT NIGHT – TAKING LUCA’S CASE

“Everyone, wait here!” Miki ordered, before he and a few of the guys disappeared through an employee-only door with Trigger. Privacy, I assumed, while they figured out what the hell was going on.

My stomach churned. What had Luca done? I had no idea, but I prayed it wasn’t something serious. As I glanced around at the shock and concern etched on everyone’s faces, I felt bad for them—but I couldn’t help but be relieved I wasn’t involved in whatever this was.

No one was talking, no one speculating out loud. That was how I knew most of the people here were criminals. Normally, there would be gossip, wild guesses flying around about what the man himself had done. But instead, we just stood there, waiting for Miki to return and either explain or dismiss us.

After what felt like forever, Miki came back with Ash and motioned for me to join them in a quiet corner.

“Claire, I know you don’t want any involvement in the family’s criminal activities, and I respect that,” he began. “But our lawyer had a heart attack a few nights ago. He’s still recovering. You know he’s elderly, and I’ve been trying to find areplacement, but so far, no luck. Could you help with this? Just for now?”

Shit. This was exactly what I’d been trying to avoid—the very reason I wouldn’t get involved with Luca. The conflict of interest, the risk to my reputation if I ever had to defend him for something illegal. I glanced at the crowd of faces around us and felt a wave of nausea.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I stated firmly.

As much as I liked them all—especially Luca—I couldn’t get sucked into the Bratva’s world. A few months ago, Miki had approached me with an offer. He’d told me his lawyer was retiring, and he needed someone to head up the legal practice, handling both corporate and criminal law. He’d wanted me to be that person.

The idea of running my own firm had been tempting. If it had been a legitimate operation, I would’ve said yes in a heartbeat. But the reality was, it wouldn’t be. Right or wrong, I still believed in the black-and-white nature of the law. Either you did things above board or you didn’t. I couldn’t straddle both sides.

Lately, several lawyers and police officers had been exposed as corrupt. Even a government MP, one of the Rominovs’ enemies, according to Marcie, had been caught. But surely they were a minority? I still believed that the UK legal system was among the best in the world, thanks not only to its laws, but to the people who upheld them. I wasn’t going to let myself fall into corruption. I’d vowed that to myself, and that hadn’t changed.

“Please?” Miki persisted. “I really appreciate it. Just until we find someone else?”

I shook my head, but he cut in again.

“This isn’t Bratva business. I know you don’t want to be involved in that, and I’m not trying to rope you into it. This is about Luca. He’s been arrested for murder. He’s innocent. Heneeds a good defence lawyer, and you’re one of the best. I know you don’t want a relationship with him, but if you care about him at all—help him.”

My heart clenched at the concern in his eyes.

“Innocent?” I whispered.

“Yes,” he replied.