Page 28 of Virtuous Lies

“Thank you.” I smile wide.

I grab the phone eagerly from his hand, pushing the numbers quickly. My breaths come easier the moment the dial tone hits my ears.

“Hello?”

“Cat,” I breathe out.

“Bianca, oh my god, are you somewhere safe?”

“Yes, I’m at—”

Vincent clears his throat, and I stop myself. “I’m safe.”

“Bianca, the FBI has been here looking for you.”

“Me?” I choke out the word, shock lacerating my spine.

“You’re wanted for questioning in relation to Roberto’s death,” she divulges quietly. “I overheard Papa talking to Mama. You’ve been identified as the last person to see him alive.”

“What?” Bile rushes up my throat. “How? I didn’t… That’s not what happened. I…”

“Lorenzo has told the authorities that you’re on your honeymoon and that you and Vincent are non-contactable.”

“Say goodbye.” So caught up in what Caterina was telling me, I didn’t feel Vincent’s approach. His hand cups mine over the phone, his chest pressed against my back.

“I have to go,” I lament.

“Don’t call, Bianca,” Cat instructs. “Papa told Mama that Vincent is keeping you safe. This will blow over. You know it will.”

“Yeah,” I agree absently. “I love you.”

Vincent hangs up before I can hear Cat say it back.

We stand in that position—his chest pressed into my back—long enough for my breathing to even out.

“You let me accuse you of this being all your fault.”

He doesn’t answer.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“And worry you unnecessarily?” The burr of his words claw along the nape of my neck, and I shiver.

“I didn’t kill him,” I assure him. “I didn’t kill your brother.”

“Shhhh,” he soothes. “I know.”

I swallow the excess saliva forming in my throat. “Will I go to prison?”

He lifts my left hand, thumb brushing over the ring on my finger. “I told you this was a promise to protect you. I don’t make declarations like that lightly. I mean it.”

He’s protecting me when he should want me dead. Guilt washes over me, and I turn, tipping my head back to see his face. “Why? You didn’t want to marry me. Lorenzo made you do it. This is your way out.”

Using his thumb, he turns my head away, dropping a soft kiss on my jawline. “Don’t disturb me again.”

“Vinnie,” I scratch out, but he ignores me, and I’m grateful he does because I don’t know what to say.

He lifts a single brow at my affectionate utterance, but he says nothing.

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