“Murder,” Paolo casually answers.
“What!”
I feel like someone just sucker punched me right in the gut. I bend over, all of my breath rushing out of me. I put my hands on my knees and do my best not to vomit.
Maybe I hallucinated. Maybe I’m still asleep and this is a terrible nightmare. Or maybe, I’m losing my ever-loving mind.
“Di-did you say, murder? That can’t be possible. Luca’s not a killer.”
Paolo looks away without answering, and not for the first time, I think about what Ross said. He accused Luca of being in the mob. I thought he just had bodyguards because his family are billionaires. Powerful people need bodyguards. But what if they aren’t just guards, what if they are really mobsters?
I thought I had accepted that Luca could be in the mob, but in the back of my mind, I thought that kinda stuff only happened in movies. I mean, what are the odds that I’d end up in love with a mobster…
Since Paolo wouldn’t let me go to the police station to see what was happening, I asked him to drop me off at home. He told me not to worry, and Luca would be home soon. I don’t know how he could be so nonchalant about a murder charge, but no matter what he said, I was worried.
I keep telling myself that people like Luca don’t get arrested, he will always be protected, so they must have a pile of evidence against him if he’s in jail.
It was late when I got home, but Karlie suggested we stay awake and talk. I told her we could talk in the morning, which is why I’m up at the crack of dawn, trying my best to answer her questions.
“So, Luca was arrested for murder? Damn, cousin, that’s wild. Do you think he did it?” Karlie asks the million-dollar question.
“From what I know of Luca, I would say he didn’t have anything to do with it. But it took years for me to see Ross for who he really is, so I don’t trust myself,” I say, sighing.
“Aww, don’t say that, cousin. You know you can trust yourself. You’re one of the smartest people I know. You just have a big heart and want to believe the best in people, and Ross took advantage of that.”
“Yeah, that’s the problem. Did my big heart make me see something in Luca that isn’t there?”
“I mean, look how protective of you he is. I don’t think you’re wrong about what kind of person he is.”
“I hope not.”
My phone dings with a message, taking my attention away from my cousin. I read the social media message and instantly feel bad. I’ve been so wrapped up in everything that I completely forgot that Talia wanted to talk to me.
“What’s up?” Karlie asks, picking up her glass of orange juice.
“A message from Talia. I completely ghosted her. Not on purpose, though.”
“You have a lot of shit going on, I’m sure she’ll understand.”
“Yeah, I’ll have to apologize to her.”
To be honest, I haven’t been a good friend to Talia. Even though I met her through Ross. She was a good friend to me, although I never told her the full story of what was going on. Talia had started dating her own prince charming, and I didn’t want to rain on her parade.
Before I can respond to her message, the doorbell rings. I put my phone down and get off the couch. I’ll make sure to hit her up later.
“I’ll get it. It might be Jules with an update.” I rush to the door, however, when I get there it’s a woman that I’ve never seen before standing there.
“Hello, may I help you?” I question, cracking the door open.
“Are you Mindy Stewart?”
“Who’s asking?” I question, frowning.
The woman flashes a badge before stepping forward. “I’m Detective Wiley, may I come in?”
“No. What can I help you with?” I close the door a little more.
I have never and will never trust the police. Especially one who shows up right after my boyfriend has been arrested. If she doesn’t have a warrant, whatever she has to say can be said from outside.
