Chapter 488 You Have To Help Me
God help anyone who forgot that distinction. The guard’s jaw tightened then, wisely, he stepped aside.
She grabbed her car keys and left the house. Outside, the estate gates opened for her, men watching as she drove through, probably all wondering whether they were about to lose their jobs, their lives, or both when Luca found out.
The drive to the police precinct felt endless. Her fingers tightened around the wheel. By the time she parked outside the precinct, her heart was hammering against her ribs. Police cars lined the curb. Officers moved in and out.
She sat for one second longer.
Breathe.
Do not mess this up.
If this was the only thing she could do to help the famiglia, she would do it. Gladly. Anything to keep her family safe. Anything to pull attention where Luca needed it. Anything to make sure Val, Matteo, Marco, Nonnina, and every person under their name survived whatever came next.
She opened her bag, took out her gun, and placed it in the glove box then she stepped out of the car. She lifted her chin, walked into the building, spotted Voss immediately and hurried toward him. “Detective Voss!” she cried.
Vee gave him exactly what she wanted them to see—a distressed woman barely holding herself together. Wide eyes. Trembling mouth. Breath too fast. One hand pressed lightly to her chest as if her heart was trying to escape.
Voss turned from the desk where he had been speaking to another officer. “Miss Scalese p>
“Please,” she said, rushing toward him. “Please, you have to help me. No, no, you have to help Luca p>
Voss’s brow climbed. “Are you kidding me p>
“Please, I am begging you,” she said, letting her voice shake. “My husband is going to do something stupid and I am afraid it will get him in trouble p>
His eyes narrowed. “What is it p>
Vee looked around the precinct. Too many ears. Too many eyes. “I can’t tell you here p>
“Why not p>
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Because I may be emotional, but I am not stupid. It means I know better than to give you something you can twist into handcuffs before I’m done speaking. Even though I am here to stop him from doing something stupid…I still don’t want you to use what I tell you against him p>
“You came to a police precinct to protect a criminal from police consequences p>
“I came to a police precinct to stop bloodshed p>
His jaw tightened.
“Some day soon it will be your word against mine. And trust me, detective, I will swear to never talking to you p>
“Fine Voss grumbled and got to his feet. He did not look happy about it.
Then again, Detective Voss rarely looked happy.
He glanced at Vee as he led the way toward the exit. “Luca really hit the jackpot with you, huh? You’re well suited for each other p>
Vee lifted her chin. “I know that’s supposed to be an insult, but thank you p>
Voss huffed. He stopped near the side of the building, away from the doors and cameras, and turned to her. “Start talking p>
Vee inhaled. This was the part that mattered. Not too much truth. Not too little.
Just enough.
“Luca is going after Tony,” she said. “He’s angry. He’s not thinking p>
Voss gave her a look. “Luca Genovese not thinking? That would be a historic first p>
“Detective.” She stepped closer, letting panic sharpen her voice. “Please, you have to save my husband from himself p>
Then she grabbed his arm. It was a calculated move as she planted the tracker on him. Her eyes pleaded with him, the perfect picture of a frightened wife terrified that the man she loved was about to destroy himself. A little truth went a long way in a lie.
“You have nothing to worry about,” he said. “Tony is safe p>
“Someone knows where he is,” she said. “And I believe that someone is Renato Bastione. Don’t you people know anything p>
“I heard a few uniforms have been dispatched to the casino Voss muttered. He pulled out his phone, already turning away to make a call to one of the agents with Tony.
Vee held her breath. The signal jammer in her bag sat there. Voss frowned at his phone. He moved it slightly, as if a better angle would magically defeat technology.
“Damn it,” he muttered.
Vee widened her eyes. “Is something wrong p>
“Why don’t you go back home, I will handle this p>
“Detective,” Vee said, softening her voice. “I know you do not care for Luca or me,” she continued. “But at least, get Tony where Luca won’t be able to reach him p>
His phone was still useless in his hand, the screen stubbornly showing no service. His frustration was visible now, sitting tight in his jaw and shoulders.
“If something happens to Tony,” she said, letting her voice crack at the edges, “everyone will suspect my husband. We just got married. I cannot lose him p>
It was true.
“It’s alright,” he said at last. “You may go p>
Vee held his gaze a moment longer. She allowed herself one final trembling breath, one final wounded look, then turned and headed back to her car. She reached her car, opened the door, and slipped inside.
Impressive.
That was all Luca could think as he watched his wife from his car. He sat parked half a block away, low in the driver’s seat, sunglasses hiding his eyes. His mouth curved faintly as Vee got into her car, every inch the distressed bride.
Christ.
She was magnificent.
Dangerous too, but that had always been part of the appeal.
Now all that was left was for Voss to take the bait.
“Come on,” Luca muttered, eyes fixed on the detective outside the precinct. “Lead me there, you son of a bitch.” He held his breath waiting.
Voss paced continuously, phone pressed to his ear, then pulled away, then lifted again. Even if Voss managed to get through to someone eventually, it would not matter.
(Brought to you by MissyDionne 1/2)