Page 19 of Hard Lessons

Serena gulped. Prison. Not what she fancied, not by a long shot.

“And it won’t be a short spell behind bars,” he went on. “The British justice system takes all of these crimes very seriously.”

“I’m innocent.”

“I’ll leave you to think about it.” The officer stood, the chair legs scraping on the floor.

“No.” She clenched her jaw so hard she feared for her teeth.

He paused. “No, I shouldn’t leave?”

She clasped her fingers together and hoped her instincts were right. That David wasn’t going to give her up, that for whatever reasons he hadn’t so far would stick. Maybe Giovanni had got to him. Perhaps he just liked her. “No... I don’t need to think about it, Officer. I’m an escort, hired for the day. I have no idea about any of these crimes or dealings. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it because it’s the truth.”

Chapter Three

One year later

“Ciao, Paulo, it’s me.”

“Luca, how you doing?”

“I’ll be better when I’m out of this shit hole.” Luca glanced over his shoulder at the line of inmates waiting to use the payphone when he’d finished.

“Not long now,” Paulo chuckled. “Keep your cool, okay?”

“Si, will do. And I’m counting the fucking days, one more week.”

Paulo’s voice dropped, like a conspirator, as if making sure he wasn’t overheard. “And I’ve found you the perfect place, it’s all set up.”

“You have? Where?”

“It’s a bit of a drive.”

“Where exactly?” Luca didn’t have time for guessing games.

“It’s in Scotland.”

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