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I spun away from her and crossed the room to Emilio where he sat at his computer. “Who is he?”
“Once I have the IP, I’ll have his location.” He continued to type. “I leave the interrogation tactics to you and Stefano.”
Allegra sucked in a sharp inhale.
“How long?”
“Usually just a couple of minutes.”
Windows opened and closed on his computer. My phone vibrated in my pocket. I lifted my phone.
Another message. A white-hot ball of fury like I’ve never known ignited within me.
Mila: My phone is compromised.
Allegra
Memories of last night were a drugging heaviness resting on my chest, crushing me with regrets. There were always choices. Tears burned in my eyes. I couldn’t tell Marco about Knox. Not while there was a threat to Dee because his hate for the Irish ran deeper than any affection he might have for me.
Marco blamed the Irish for Luca. This would bring the war to Knox. I curled into the pillow and let the tears fall. I could fix this. I just needed to talk to Deidre.
Thumping and muted voices sounded from the living room of the suite. Leaning over, I reached for my phone to check the time. My brows pinched as I rolled over and checked the floor.
My phone was gone. Marco must have taken it. If he came into the room, it wasn’t to share the bed with me. His side was undisturbed. I understood why he was upset. I didn’t think he’d seen me with Knox. The messages were enough.
Even if I’d known Emilio had installed tracking on my phone, I would’ve been caught last night. I didn’t know about the texting spyware or any other shit he’d put on my cell.
It didn’t matter. Marco had my phone.
The door opened, and housekeeping entered the room. “Excuse me, Mrs. Bruno.” She went to the closet, pulled out my suitcase, and began taking my clothes from the drawers.
“I need a moment to get dressed,” I said.
She dropped my jeans into the suitcase. “I’ll wait outside the room.”
“Thank you.” As soon as she left, I slid out of bed, grabbed what I needed for the day, entered the en suite bathroom, and turned on the shower.
My limbs felt heavy as I slipped off my panties and bra. Then I stepped into the glass enclosure and tipped my face to the overhead waterfall. Tears coursed down my cheeks, washed away in the warm water. Remembering the betrayal in Marco’s eyes when the final text came through carved a hole in my chest.
I slid to the bottom of the shower. My body trembled as I closed my eyes. I considered what would happen if I just told Marco the truth about Knox. Maybe he’d understand and set aside his anger. But what about Dee? The Irish wanted her. No matter how much I wanted to protect her, I couldn’t lock her in a tower. I needed Knox on the inside to protect her from Byrne.
Telling Marco carried too much risk. He could hate me, but I couldn’t risk Dee. Knox understood. He’d agree.
My heart hurt with the truth. Marco was the mafia man they referred to as The Enforcer. He believed the Irish killed Luca. Knox was his enemy.
Once I’d dressed and dried my hair, I threw it into a messy ponytail. Housekeeping had finished packing my clothes. The bed had been stripped. My ankle was a little tender, my eyes were puffy, and last night had left me broken.
The marriage arrangement was over. Why else would he have my things packed? I went to the living room. Suitcases waited by the elevator.
Emilio sat at the computer. He lifted his head as I entered the room, but he quickly glanced away.
“Good morning,” I said to Orlando.
“No, I wouldn’t say it is.” He stood from the couch and joined Ant and Marco on the balcony.
Ant lifted his head. The glare in his eyes made my breath catch. With a calmness I didn’t feel, I crossed the room and stopped at the threshold of the balcony.
My chest tightened as fear coiled like a snake in my gut, the rattle and hiss drowning out the voice telling me to choose Marco. To trust him. But I had to think of Dee. I stayed silent, waiting for him to say something—anything.
