Page 73 of Savage Claim

A different agent, a woman now, was waiting for me in the hall. “Isabella?” She smiled warmly. “I’m Special Agent Lewis.” She walked me back down the hall, and when we opened the door, she swore out loud. “Why is it so cold in here? I am so sorry; I’ll get the temperature turned up for you.”

She disappeared for a moment, but whatever she did, the room did get warmer. I sat back in my chair, wincing at the dull pain that radiated up my spine. Agent Lewis sat down in front of me, still smiling like we were good friends.

“That’s better, isn’t it?” she asked.

“I appreciate,” I said. “Where’s my lawyer?”

“Mrs. Vitali, I don’t think you understand what’s going on here.”

“No,” I cut her off. “I know exactly why they sent you in here. The intimidation wasn’t working, so now, you’re trying to be nice to me in hopes that I’ll tell you something important.” I sat back, wincing as my back popped, and crossed my arms over my chest. “I have nothing to say except that I want my lawyer.”

The friendly smile cooled although it didn’t disappear completely. “When are you due?” she asked, eyes dropping to my belly.

“Three more months or so.”

She hummed. “It would be a shame if CPS showed up to the hospital on the day you deliver. Don’t you think?”

My chest seized up, but I kept my face neutral. “Do you normally threaten pregnant women like this?”

“I’m not threatening you,” Agent Lewis said, holding up her hands. “We’re only talking.”

“So, I’m here just to have a conversation, right? Because I’m not in trouble. You dragged me out of my bed, barely giving me the chance to get dressed to what, exactly? Share clothing tips? Talk about our nails?” I shook my head. “Get my lawyer, or let me go.”

Agent Lewis stood up again. “We can hold you for twenty-four hours. Maybe you’ll feel ready to talk after some time alone.”

But when she opened the door, a man was standing outside, frowning. “Get her out of here,” he said.

“But—”

“The lawyer is kicking up a fuss because he hasn’t gotten to speak with her. He’s threatening a lawsuit.”

I choked on a laugh, and Agent Lewis turned back to me. She looked murderous. “Well, I guess you’re out of here, Mrs. Vitali. I wouldn’t try leaving the country if I were you.”

I didn’t say a word to her. Instead, I skirted around her and stepped out into the hall. I was led back to the central hub of the station, and when I saw Elio and Amalia, all of my calm deserted me. Amalia must have seen the shiver that ran through me because she ran and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Don’t give them a thing,” she said in a low voice. “Stand up straight and walk out. Fall apart in the car.”

So, that was what I did. Amalia sat in the back with me, holding and rocking me as I sobbed. “Lorenzo is going to be fine,” she said over and over. “Nothing is going to happen to him.”

I tried to believe her, but until he was in my arms again, nothing was going to make me feel better.

CHAPTER 47

Isabella

There were at least a dozen cars in the driveway when we returned to the estate. I had a moment to wonder who all of these people were, but given that Amalia and Elio didn’t even flinch, it was easy to figure out.

Damian had gathered all of the men—an assortment of Lorenzo’s cousins and other men from the minor families that worked for him—in the dining room. “He’s going to be fine,” we could hear him reassuring them as we walked into the room. “We’ve been through this before.”

“Elias is with him,” Elio said by way of greeting, drawing everyone’s eyes to us. “He’ll be home in a few hours.”

But it didn’t seem like any of the men were listening. Instead, their eyes landed on me. “This is all her fault,” one man grunted. I recognized him from the storage facility we visited in New Jersey. “The Don had been just fine before she waltzed into our lives.”

Waltzedwas a strong word. Kidnapped and held hostage was a better description. “I didn’t say anything to the police.”

Another man stood. “Doesn’t matter if you opened your mouth or not,cagna,” he snarled. “All this comes back to you. If the Don hadn’t rescued that littleputtanafor you?—”

“We would have never known that Alfie was selling his services elsewhere,” Elio jumped in.

“The Russians?—”

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