Page 75 of Tormented Diamonds
“They mentioned something about hospital records.” A slow blink brings the focus back into her eyes. “I don’t know, Gianni, it all happened so fast.”
I palm the back of my neck to stop myself from punching the wall. Those line-crossing pieces of shit broke protocol and went through private medical files. I’m going to have their badges and their fucking heads. “What did they want?”
“They want me to come down to the station to give a statement about my father.”
I stiffen, my fingers sinking deep into my skin. “What?”
“They know I was the last one to see him alive. Witnesses in Hackensack told them…” She shakes her head and scrubs her hands down her face. “It doesn’t matter. They want me to come to the station now.”
I storm into the bathroom, the hand on my neck threading through my hair. “Absolutely not.”
Becca follows me, the open flow of her shirt taking the edge off my anger. “Gianni, if I don’t go, it looks like we’re hiding something.”
“We are,” I snap, stalking toward the shower.
“Which is even more reason to go.” She slides in front of me, stopping me with a hand on my chest. “It’s just a formality. I’m not being charged with anything. If that was their goal, they wouldn’t have called and given us time to align our stories. They would’ve shown up here with handcuffs and a warrant.”
I scowl. I hate when she uses logic to prove me wrong. “I’m going with you.”
Her shoulders sag. “You have your meeting withAnton. Besides, after avoiding Toscano, he’ll be watching you. Let me do this quietly and put it to rest.”
I don’t like it, but she’s right. Ignoring her father’s murder will only shine a brighter spotlight on both of us. As long as she gives a statement, then gets the fuck out, there shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, I didn’t think there’d be a problem with her father, either.
“I’ll stick by Taz the whole time,” she promises. “I’ll even take more men with me. Although, it might raisemoreflags and causemoreeyes?—”
Sinking my hands into her hair, I crush my lips against hers. “Fine,” I mutter. “You made your point. Are you sure you’re a psychiatrist and not a lawyer?”
She smiles, but there’s an edge of sadness to it. Killing Liam may have doused the flame of her pain, but the embers still burn. They will for a long time. I hate that I can't stomp them out.
Unfortunately, the only thing that’ll do that is time.
“What were you going to tell me before Toscano called?” When I don’t answer, she pulls away, her expression hardening. “Gianni, answer me. Do you know something I don’t?”
I sigh.Damn it. I didn’t want to have this conversation right now.“I spoke to Valentin Carrera.”
“Carrera,” she sputters. “As in the ‘Mexican cartel’ Carreras?”
I nod. “Valentin is the kingpin’s son. Let’s just say we discovered we have a shared lack of appreciation for our fathers’ business practices.”
Her jaw tightens. “Tell me what he said.”
I run my fingers down her arm, my thumb stopping at her wrist. “The rose and dagger is a brand our fathers used to mark their merchandise.” There’s no use in cushioning the blow. She knows the reality of what her father took part in. It doesn’t matter if he was an active or passive participant. Open eyes led to stained hands.
Becca rears back as if I’ve slapped her. “So, it was never a Rogue tattoo?”
“Apparently, they gave the women crude, black-inked versions, but it all identified their human enterprise. Some traffickers label women with barcodes. My father was a showman.”
“What does that mean?” Her eyes widen, the truth setting in. “Was your father going to sell me, Gianni?”
I want to give her a diluted answer. One that softens the truth’s ugly, jagged edges. But then, I’d be no better than her father. So, I swing the blade with one word.
“Yes.”
I wait for the devastation that never comes.
Instead, Becca’s arms stiffen at her sides. “Did he tell you anything about Dagger?”
“His name is Declan Flynn. He’s a low-level Rogue reject Alejandro Carrera introduced to my father. Anton is running several background checks on him right now. It’s only a matter of time until we find him.”
