Page 24 of My Italian Roommate

“I’m good, thanks to you. What do you think he was planning to do once he got me outside?” her voice shakes. I wrap my arms around her and let her bury her face into my chest.

“Don’t think about that. There’s no reason to play out scenarios in your head that will never happen. Nobody is ever going to hurt you. I promise.” I lift my hand to touch her then draw it back. Jesus, these cops need to get over here so I can wash my hands.

“I think they’re coming over here,” Mallory points to the officers who are heading in our direction.

“Sure, it makes sense that they would have to talk to the commissioner, the wait staff, and my manager before actually taking a statement from the fucking victim,” I grunt.

“Calm down, Mario. It’s okay. We’ll get through this.”

One of the officers makes eye contact with me, but before he can approach, one of the news people stops him. The two review the footage on the cameraman’s camera. The officer nods and shakes the reporter’s hand before completing his trek across the room to me and Mallory.

“Alright,” he says, tugging on his belt. “I think we have a pretty good picture of what happened here. Everyone we’ve spoken to and the video footage confirm that the man we just took to the hospital attacked you and attempted to abduct you from the building. Mr. Marcetti here intervened and saved you. Is that correct?” he asks Mallory.

“Yes, sir,” she nods. “If it wasn’t for Mario, I don’t know what would have happened to me.” She chokes on a sob and a tear falls down her cheek, making me feel murderous all over again.

“Do either of you know this man?” the officer asks.

“Know him? No, but he was in the parking lot of the stadium yesterday before the race. He was waiting for us to come out and confronted me. He was angry about an altercation that I had with his favorite driver. You might have seen it on the news,” I answer.

“Oh, I saw it and I have to tell you. Though you aren’t in any trouble this time, that temper of yours might just put you away one day. I suggest you get a handle on it.”

I choke on my desire to tell him to mind his own business and simply nod my head. I don’t bother telling him that I’m only like this when someone disrespects or hurts my girl. All bets are off when it comes to her.

“We’ve identified your attacker. His name is William Byrd. He has a few priors for public disturbances but nothing like this. You’re sure you’ve never seen him before yesterday?”

“It all happened so fast I didn’t even realize that he was the same man from yesterday,” Mallory replies.

“Alright, then. For now, we’ll call this a crazy fan who got out of control.”

“Are we free to go, Officer?” I ask him.

“You are. We’ll be in touch.”

Mallory breathes a long sigh of relief and does her best to smile at me.

“Let’s go, baby. I need a shower.”

We are almost out the door when the reporter who showed the video to the officer stops us. The last thing I need right now is to be brow-beaten so this guy can air an exclusive.

“Mario, can I have just a second of your time?” he asks.

“I’m sorry. It’s been a long night. Not now,” I answer.

“Please, just one minute, I promise. I just want a statement from you before this hits the local news,” he insists.

“Come on, man. You saw what happened here. You don’t need me to tell the story for you when you filmed the whole thing.”

“No, I don’t, but yesterday the media portrayed you as some sort of drunken monster. I’d like to set that record straight and let the world know what you really are. You’re a hero.”

Mallory tugs at my jacket sleeve and I look down at her.

“Do it,” she whispers.

“Okay, but please, let’s make it quick. I’m exhausted.”

We’re just about to complete the interview when he asks one final question.

“So, Mario, now that the season has ended, how are you planning to spend your off time?”

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