Page 42 of Dangerous Games of Trust
“I found some stuff that he wants to investigate further, and his contact could only talk to him tonight.”
“What did you find?”
She looks over her shoulder. “I reckon you’re on to something. The original police reports from the first responders documented suspicious findings, bruises on her arms and neck. But the later reports concluded no further investigation would be necessary. The coroner’s notes were consistent with the initial report. He stated that there was a struggle, that her physical injuries didn’t align with that of an overdose. He believed that someone had beaten her first then drugged her. There were also traces of DNA found under her nails. She fought him off or tried to.”
My horrified eyes meet hers as my heart breaks all over again. My poor ma. A silent sob catches in my chest. “You think it was him as well, don’t you,” I whisper.
“I’m certain of it. It was his DNA they found on her.”
My sadness is replaced with a surge of anger. “Why the fuck didn’t her death get reported as murder?”
Her eyes go wide, and she looks over her shoulder again. “My guess is he paid someone to hide the records and have her death ruled as a drug overdose.”
“Baby doll,” comes Ricky’s voice from behind me. I glance over my shoulder in a rush to find Ricky wearing a cheeky grin and a black button-up and dark jeans. The guards let him by, and he barrels toward me, taking the seat directly beside.
What on earth? My eyes narrow in on him, confused that the guards are letting just anyone come in here. “How did you get in here?” My heart is all of a sudden racing in panic. They were the only thing making me feel remotely safe.
His eyes glisten with a wicked thrill of excitement. “Geovani invited us. Gave us these fancy seats and all so we can watch with you girls.”
“He did?” I glance at Dani, brow raised in confusion.
She shrugs in response, giving nothing away.
“Something about putting our egos aside to keep you safe.” He moves one of my long braids over my shoulder then kisses my cheek, sending a tingle running right through me. I’ve missed his fun energy. There is never a dull moment when Ricky’s around, and I for one am grateful for the distraction he’s going to provide tonight.
But I’m still shocked Geovani would let them get close to me while he wasn’t around. Did he actually take on board what I was saying the other day? “He’s happy for you to be this close to me?” I ask again, still confused. After our fight the other day, I thought I wasn’t going to see them anytime soon.
“He doesn’t trust anyone else with your life,” Dani says, backing up Ricky’s story.
I give her a look likeif you knew they would be here, why didn’t you fill me in? But she just smiles back at me, and I know she was told not to. Fucking Geovani and his mind games.
Ricky snakes an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into him, his eyes locked on mine. On the outside he’s all fun and games, but I can see the depths of his anguish hiding behind this façade. My adorable Labrador is hurting. “Looks like I’m back to being your personal bodyguard again, baby.”
I lace my hand with his, needing the comfort he provides. Staring up at him, I’m unable to believe he’s the product of Enzo Moretti, the man I’m now certain killed my mother. “Ricky, I’m so sorry about the other night. We didn’t get to talk properly. Are you okay?”
He pulls me in for a proper kiss. “I’m fine now,” he mutters, like just being with me can make everything okay, but I know he’s not. That secret would have been life-altering.
There is a commotion behind us as Alessandro and Maddox push through the curtain at the back, their eyes landing on me with a possessiveness that makes my panties instantly wet. Oh God, I might not survive tonight. For more reasons than that my life is in danger.
Dani leans in to whisper in my ear. “Shit, girl, the testosterone just got real thick in here.”
I laugh nervously, not quite sure how to handle this, but I don’t have time to think on it because the audience cheers and hollers, and I know Geovani and his opponent, the man they callThe Beast, have taken the stage already.
I feel the other two take seats. Maddox nods his head in greeting as he slides in beside Ricky. “Temptress,” he purrs in my direction, and I know he’s wishing it was his arm slung over my shoulder.
I offer him a lopsided smile.
Alessandro moves in beside Dani, his dark eyes eating up every inch of me. He’s gorgeous like this, all broody and unshaven. He’s ditched his expensive suit for a pair of dark jeans and a T-shirt, and it’s a good look on him. Not so much the mobboss anymore but more just your regular bad boy, and I’m here for it.
I suck in a shaky breath, sitting on my hands to stop my legs from bouncing. I’m stuck on a balcony with three broken bad boys, wishing I was anywhere but at an underground fight. Geovani’s eyes find mine across the cheering crowd, and he blows me a cheeky kiss. A blush rises over my cheeks under his attention so publicly, but maybe there is more to all this. He’s putting on a show. The tension intensifies with the guys beside me, and I know there’s more to this.
This would have to be one of the strangest situations I have ever been in, and I’m not quite sure how to handle it. So, I just smile back, but he’s already moved on, listening to the rules.No weapons. Fight until knockout or submission. No rounds, no time limits. The fight ends only when one fighter is unconscious or taps out. No eye-gouging or biting. Stay on the stage. No outside interference. Winner takes the pot.So, there are some rules, but they don’t make me feel any less anxious.
“Whoop, whoop,” Dani hollers. “I can see why they call himThe Beast. This dude is massive.” Her eyes twinkle with enthusiasm as she claps her hands together.
“Dani, what are they fighting for?” I ask with a gulp, nausea swirling through my stomach, wondering whatthe potis.
She glances at me with a sick smirk. “Revenge. That man is Dante DeLuca, he’s fighting for his life tonight.”
