Page 30 of Stolen Tutor

“I have a problem. Someone tried to gun me down and I know it was Morgan.”

“How could the chief be involved? Wasn’t he with his daughter today?” This stupid motherfucker just gave himself away so easily. I thought he was slipping, but now I’m seeing that I’ve never had his loyalties.

“How did you know that?”

“I saw him in town, and he said that he was getting a chance to see his daughter.”

“That’s funny because my niece’s tutor came home earlier than I expected. Although, I’d been too injured to speak with her.”

“Yeah, well you know how young people are. Hanging around their elders can be boring.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t change my mind that he was involved with the attack on me. Look into it,” I insist. I end the call and leave my office to find Lucy standing there with her arms crossed, looking livid.

“What was she doing leaving your office?” She looks me up and down, anger and jealousy making her look adorable.

“No need to be jealous. I just fired her. She let her lover know where I was and somehow the piece of shit found me and sent out someone to shoot me.”

“Who? You think she was with my father?”

“I don’t know, but the man who shot me works for him.”

“Oh my goodness.”

“So why did you leave your bag at that asshole’s house and run off, trying to sneak away from me earlier?”

She bites down on her bottom lip, running her toes on the small carpet in front of the two chairs that sit by my desk. “It wasn’t like that. I wasn’t running away from you guys. First, I wanted to leave the moment I got there. He was making me feel uncomfortable, then he made me make us lunch because he couldn’t afford to take me out to lunch.”

“Couldn’t afford? He’s a crooked cop with millions to blow.” She retreats into herself, wrapping her arms around her waist and refusing to look at me. “I know you don’t want to believe it, but it’s the truth.”

“I know.”

“Did he send you to the school to get close to my niece?”

“No. Or at least I didn’t think so until I mentioned I would be coming to stay with you to tutor Anna. Then he said you were dirty and that I should learn what I could so I could take Anna away from you.”

“Are you serious?” Rage pumps through my veins.

“I swear I was worried about her and wanted to make sure she was happy, but I didn’t do it for him. She’s a precious girl who lost so much and she’s clung to me since we first were introduced.” I cup her face and pull her to me, tasting her lips.

“I know. That’s why I used her to keep you under my control.”

“There’s more. Today, when I called to see if he wasn’t busy, he answered, thinking it was you.” She explains he admitted to stealing something of mine.

“Thank you. I had a feeling that was the case, but I needed it confirmed. Still, why didn’t you just have Vittorio pick you up instead of running?”

“There’s more.” She keeps her head down and sighs.

“Tell me.” I lift her chin and make her look me in the eye.

“I ran because a man showed up and wanted to have his way with me. I asked to use the bathroom and then I jumped out of the window.”

“What man, amore? He’s a dead man for sure. Did he touch you?”

“He grabbed my arm. I don’t know who he is, but they said his name was Antonio.”

“Amore, I need you to look at a photo for me and tell me if this is him.” She nods and I pull out my phone and look up the image. Without any headings, I show her a picture, and she gasps, nearly falling backward, but I catch her.

“He’s a dead man.”

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