Page 21 of Luca
“You know about him?” I asked her, wondering how.
She gave a slight grimace. “Marcie told me about it. And just for the record, I don’t condone you guys dragging my friend into your family business. But she’s a big girl I guess. Anyway, shetold me what was going on. Although, it was only after talking to Miki that I discovered where you’ve been all of these weeks.” She glared at me and I smirked.
“Did you miss me, babe?” I waggled my eyebrows at her and grinned.
“No, not in the least,” she stated, huffing and mumbling something like, “infuriating man,” under her breath.
I laughed. “I think you protest too much.”
“And I think you should be taking this more seriously,” she huffed again.
Her pacing stopped, and she faced me, anxiety flashing in her eyes. “What is even the point in setting you up like this?”
“Probably for some warped sense of revenge. After his arrest, I lived at the Estate, ramping up security. When I went out, I was surrounded by people, making it hard to reach me. Friday was the first day I went anywhere alone and the first time I returned to my flat. I guess someone had been following me, waiting for the right moment to strike. And without an alibi for the time of death, it was easy for them to pin this on me.”
“I’m sorry, Luca. If I hadn’t run out on you at the party, you might not be dealing with this right now, and that poor woman might still be alive!” She looked distraught.
Fuck, I hadn’t meant for her to blame herself.
“It’s not your fault, babe,” I said, pulling her into my arms. “The people responsible are the MP and whoever he got to carry out his plan,” I murmured against the top of her head as I hugged her tightly.
“I don’t want you to go to jail, Luca. I’m scared something will happen to you!” She tilted her head up at me, and I wanted to kiss her then, but I held back, unwilling to take advantage of the situation. I wanted Claire to want me for me, not out of guilt.
“Don’t worry about it, Claire. I’ll be fine,” I said, smiling reassuringly.
She nodded, taking a deep breath before stepping back. I tried to ignore the feeling of loss that accompanied her withdrawal and focused on her next words.
“This case has so many holes in it. I’ll help your lawyer, and together we’ll get you out at the pre-trial hearing,” she said, her confidence palpable.
“I know you will, Claire. You’re a great lawyer, I’m sure you’ll blow the case wide open.” I smiled at her, grateful for her support and secretly thrilled at the prospect of spending more time with her, regardless of the circumstances.
I was in the worst position of my life, feeling guilt for Julie’s death. I shouldn’t have felt happy about spending time with Claire, but I couldn’t help it. The desire I had for her overshadowed everything else.
The interview room door opened, and a police officer walked in. “Time to go!”
As they cuffed me and led me away, I glanced back just in time to catch a glimpse of Claire sashaying down the corridor in the opposite direction. I had maybe a second to enjoy the view before they pulled me out the door and shoved me into the waiting prison van.
Jail didn’t bother me—I’d survived worse. What gnawed at me was being denied bail when everyone expected otherwise. For three judges to vote against it, at least two had to have been threatened or bought off. Despite the gravity of the charges, I was a first-time offender and not considered a flight risk. Bail should have been a given.
I’d been set up—that much was clear. But I thought the trial itself would’ve satisfied the MP’s thirst for vengeance. If he just wanted me dead, he could’ve had his man waiting at the flat, ready to end it there. Blocking my bail was something else. A message. A reminder of his reach, of the power he still wielded. He wanted us to know he was pulling the strings—he could get tous anytime, anyway. The MP wasn’t just after blood. He wanted us to suffer first.
Maybe it was also about keeping the remnants of the Broxys and Malia Boys loyal to him. Most of them had survived because they were already locked up during the attacks. And they’d love nothing more than to take out one of their enemies—me.
Whatever his agenda, one thing was clear: I’d have to watch my back. Jail was always dangerous for Bratva. But now? Now it was a death sentence.
And I’d just walked right into it.
CHAPTER 13
CLAIRE
MONDAY AFTERNOON – REMANDED?
My heart pounded, and every step away from Luca was a test of sheer willpower. My jaw ached from biting the inside of my cheek, holding back the scream threatening to break free as I watched him being led to jail. I’d failed him.
I had barely made it to the courtroom in time, rushing from another case, my chest tight with panic until I saw him. Relief washed over me the second he appeared, composed in a sharp suit, even after a weekend in that god-awful holding cell. Miki must have arranged it—his own clothes had been taken, blood-soaked evidence. Seeing him, looking so unaffected, standing so strong and handsome, made my knees weak. All weekend, I had done nothing but think about him, worry about him.
Everything had gone as expected. Until it hadn’t.