Page 92 of The Billionaire's Destiny

“No, I have a couple more questions, Mr. Marini. We want as much information as possible so we can get him into custody. So, tell me anything else you remember about him.”

“He had strong body odor, and he smelled acidic, like he was on drugs,” I said. “He was filthy, like he’d rolled in dirt or was strung out.”

“You’ve seen him like that before?” she asked, taking notes.

“Yes, many times. He was in a treatment center for drug abuse in the United States. He also has some records of domestic violence calls, but they may be sealed or removed.” As a judge, he always had the rich and powerful willing to do his bidding.

“Hmm, okay,” she murmured. “Anything else you remember?”

I shook my head, wincing as my fingers brushed the bandage beneath my loose cotton cardigan.He stabbed me.The shock still reverberated. How did I miss the depth of his hatred?No, it wasn’t my fault. He was always capable of this.

“Mrs. Marini, do you have anything else you’d like to share that you think would be helpful for us?”

“No. I only know he stabbed me, and someone came from the house to help. That’s it.”

“If you remember something else…” She handed Rocco her card. “Thank you, Marinis.”

We politely thanked her, then followed her out, but went down a different hallway at the end of the corridor, and I let out a sigh of relief.

Rocco gently took my arm. “We’ll be back home in no time. Magda has already prepared your favorite dishes, and I’m sure you want to spend some time catching up with everyone…”

Rocco continued to speak, but I couldn’t hear him. My pulse hammered, and my stomach churned. I stopped walking and clutched my stomach.

“Adelina? What’s wrong?”

My body heated with sweat, and I gagged, vomiting out on the floor.

Rocco stopped a nearby nurse. “Get something for her, please.” He pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to me. My hands shook so rapidly; he took it back and wiped my mouth. I lowered my head and could see the vomit had spilled on my jersey and shoes. My face warmed.

“I’m sorry.”

Rocco took a towel from the nurse and wiped over my front, then knelt and gently dabbed the stains away on my shoes.

The nurse frowned and spoke rapidly in Italian. “I should get the doctor—”

I shook my head no at Rocco.

He told her. “She’s pregnant and I’m taking her home to rest.”

The nurse nodded and walked away.

A hospital worker came and started to clean up the floor.

“Rocco?” I rasped, my throat raw.

“Yes, Bella,” he said, gentling his voice.

“I can’t go back to the house right now. Can we go to Luca’s?”

“Yes, we can. Whatever you need,” he assured and stood up.

I glanced around at all the faces of people looking at us in the nearby waiting room. He tucked me into his side, and we walked outside. The loud noises and rush of traffic sped my pulse. There were groups of people.What ifJudge Colby runs over and hurts Rocco?The baby?My eyes blurred with fear, and I closed my hand protectively over my stomach. “You’re not safe. We’re not safe, Rocco.”

He wrapped his arms around me but quickly helped me back inside the car, holding me close. “We are. I promise you.”

But how could he when Judge Colby hadn’t been found?

A month later