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Who is this man who can bribe the FBI? And how does he know me?
He turns to me, eyes glinting, explanation in tow. "Juan called. He sends his apologies for the inconvenience of you having to wait."
Inconvenience? Someone just tried to frame me and nearly succeeded, yet this man hasn't even bothered to ask me my version of events. Almost as though me being a potential criminal doesn't faze him one bit.
I clench my fists under the table, rage boiling inside me.
The man clears his throat. "I am Luca Conti. I will keep you safe now."
Safe? This man radiates power and danger. I have to play along until I can get away. Away to where? I don't know. Is this the man Juan sent me to, who would assure my safety until my father's killers are found? I need to call Juan and find out what's going on. Until then it's best to play along.
Luca Conti strides out of the room, motioning at Stefano to follow. It seems, between the two of them, Conti is the one with authority, as he barks orders at the agents. He and Stefano talk in hushed tones, Stefano glancing at me nervously.
What is their connection?
We witness how every piece of paper, including the FBI report and my statement, anything that could leave a paper trail being shredded. Conti approaches me with soft, pitiful eyes, but I know it's just a clever act. Kindness does not come naturally to men like him.
"Signorina Torres, I am sorry for your loss. I will do everything I can to protect you. You are to stay with me in New York until matters at home are settled."
I clear my throat. Mr Conti, I hope you can forgive my forwardness, may I please phone my cousin? Juan must be very worried for my well-being after Stefano's call.
Conti's piercing black eyes narrow, but he shrugs and holds out a sleek smartphone. "As you wish."
Heart pounding, I take the phone and dial Juan. He answers on the first ring. "Isabella! Are you okay? Has Conti managed to get you released? I'm so sorry you found yourself in this mess with the FBI. You can trust Conti, he'll make it all disappear."
"Juan, who is this Luca Conti?" I demand. "Why have you involved a complete stranger in our family's affairs?"
There is a heavy silence. Then Juan says quietly, "Luca Conti is the head of one of the five major crime families in New York. He is a powerful man, but also an old friend. I asked him to keep you safe after your father's death. He owed your father his loyalty."
I suck in a sharp breath as the truth sinks in. The Mafia. My cousin has handed me over to the mafia. How could he do this to me? To my father's memory?
Huge relief washes over me at hearing my cousin's voice and I don't pay his last comment much attention. "Juan! Yes, he's here, Luca Conti." I look up and see Conti and Stefano both eyeing me with interest.
"You're lying," I whisper carefully so Conti and Stefano can't hear me.
Juan continues, "Isabella, please listen. You didn't know everything about your father. He sheltered you from certain things he had to do. Alliances he had to make. Trust me. As much as I dislike involving Conti, he has the means to protect you in a way I cannot. This is for your own safety, until we find your father's killer. Please, trust me on this."
I clench the phone so tightly my knuckles turn white. I cannot trust Juan, not after this ultimate betrayal. He has turned me over to a crime boss, shattering any remaining family loyalty I had left. I am on my own now, in a den of vipers.
There is no one left I can rely on. Not even Stefano. I just fucked a stranger, and the realization hits - the stranger turned out to be the mafioso.
My mind is a jumbled mess, dizzy with all the thoughts crashing in on me at the same time. How could Juan just hand me over to the mafioso without discussing it with me? How does he even know them? How does Stefano know them?
A steely focus cuts through my whirling thoughts. I will do whatever it takes to get through this situation. I will outsmart these men and escape from this den of vipers my cousin has thrown me into. I will make Juan regret the day he crossed me and cruelly lied about my father. His memory demands no less.
I take a deep breath, open my eyes and lie smoothly, "Thank you for explaining, Juan. I understand this is for my safety. I will cooperate fully with Signor Conti."
"Thank you, Isabella. Be careful. I will contact you again soon." Juan hangs up, oblivious to the rage of betrayal seething inside me.
I hand the phone back to Conti, meeting his gaze steadily. "My cousin has confirmed your identity, signor. I am at your disposal."
For now, I will play the obedient guest.
Conti's lips curl into a reptilian smile.
"Bene." Good, he says, like I'm a little dog. "Now, we leave."
He gestures to Stefano, who opens the door of the FBI interrogation room. I stride out between the two mafiosos, hyper-aware of their looming presence on either side of me. My heart pounds in my chest, but I keep my face an emotionless mask.
