Page 61 of Ruthless Passion

"Oh, so this wasn't a mob turf war?" Agent Shaw asks from behind the officer taking Josephine's statement.

The officer glares at Agent Shaw from over his shoulder before returning their attention to us. Josephine continues. "No, as far as I know, this was just my ex trying to kidnap our child after I filed a restraining order against him and get me hurt in the process, so he could keep custody of Jett."

"Thank you, Miss Hansen. I'm going to leave you with my card and reach out to you to confirm a few things later." The officer puts his notepad away and walks toward the club where Duke's being rolled out on a gurney.

"That bitch shot me! She’s ruined my life three times now! Not once, not twice, but three times! Fuck. Three times! I want her arrested!" Duke shouts.

"Duke Everett, you are under arrest for unlawful imprisonment, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, child endangerment, violation of your court ordered custody agreement, violation of a restraining order," the officer rattles off a slew of charges to Duke who gets quieter with every offense listed.

As the people clear, Jo finally gets her arms around Jett, and I get my family to safety.

27

JOSEPHINE

The sounds of competitive swimming first thing in the morning pull me out of much needed sleep. I have to push myself out of bed, the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in with the most gorgeous view of the sea from Luca's cliff side home.

Peace.

There is finally peace around us as I move to put on my robe and head out to the balcony where Jett is standing at the edge of the pool as Luca does a lap. As soon as Luca finishes his lap, Jett jumps in to do the same. They've been going at this round robin of swimming every morning for the past month since the shit with Duke and Vito imploded.

"Mom! Mom! Are you watching? Look at how fast I'm getting." Jett shouts with excitement in his eyes as if the events that happened never did. His happiness means the world to me and that's what matters. When the craziness of that time pops up, we'll seek therapy. Until then, swimming and days on set as school's out for the summer, are the only things on Jett's schedule.

"Freeze!" I call out to him. Jett's standing on the side of the pool and that's when I notice them.

The socks.

"They're lucky, Mom! You’ve seen how lucky they are. They even make me swim faster. Luca, tell her please." Jett holds both hands out for Luca to intervene.

Luca pulls himself out of the pool, shaking his head. "I'm not getting involved with the lucky sock debate. Even though I can't argue with how lucky they've been to me."

He smiles and walks toward me, dripping wet. I shake my head.

"Come on, Mom. Come swim with us," Jett teases, knowing that Luca will dunk me under the water just to get some laps in, but not today.

"No. Get showered and dressed. The both of you," I hold a hand out to stop Luca from coming closer. "We have to get Sonny and Gina's place after we pick up Monique. Collin said he'll meet us there. Is your doctor friend coming for her?"

Luca shakes his head with a laugh. "Antonio is my friend. Ronan is Antonio's colleague who's into Mojo. Antonio and Ronan are actually busy with, um, family stuff."

I nod with understanding.

"One more lap and then I'll get showered," Jett says.

Luca clears his throat with a firm tone. "What did Mom say?"

Jett's shoulders slump, and mouth drops. "Get showered and dressed, now."

"You're going right back into the pool with Antoni, Sonya, and Virginia," I tell Jett, referring to Luca's nieces and nephew.

"Can I keep the lucky socks on?" Jett asks.

"They're wet and no. But I'll compromise in that you can take them with you. Just hang them out the window or something to dry."

That's all Jett needs to hear to renew his spirits as he dashes around the balcony to go inside, leaving me alone in the room with Luca.

He leans down to kiss me. "Good morning, Jo."

"Good morning, Luca." I let him pepper me with kisses as his mouth moves along the lines of my neck, while his hands pull my robe open. "I never thought you could get any hotter, but being a supportive parent? Panty dropper."

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