Page 97 of Wicked Truths

“Shit. Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He bends down and picks up the padlock, tossing it on the cheap cot-like bed.

“Let’s go. Time is not on our side.”

I lead him out of the interrogation room and out the back door. We slowly creep around the corner of the house and head straight to AJ’s car.

Someone steps out from behind the car, and I let out a yelp. Jax clamps a hand over my mouth and pulls me into the bushes.

Uncle Tony’s voice is heard from the car. “Principessa, it’s just us.”

“Fuck, Uncle Tony. I thought you were someone else.” I say as I pull Jax from the bushes.

The men size each other up.

I sigh. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Can you two do this in the car? We need to leave.”

The men nod before getting in the car. I slide into the backseat with Jax as AJ and Uncle Tony take their seats.

AJ carefully turns around and slowly drives down the driveway to not draw any attention to us.

Breaking the silence, I say, “Can you stop somewhere and get Jax some food?”

AJ stares at me in the rear-view mirror but nods his head. He heads to the nearest fast food drive through and orders a large burger, fries, and soda before driving toward the Rossi house.

The more Jax eats, the more comfortable he gets. It’s almost like the times we would hang out together.

“I’m surprised at your choice of men, especially after being with me,” Jax says between bites.

Uncle Tony turns around in his seat and raises his eyebrow at me, but Jax continues.

“Your mom would be appalled at your choice of a boyfriend. How could you choose to date an outsider? A non-Italian man?”

How dare he bring up Mom?

I narrow my eyes and glare at him. “As opposed to who? You? The son of our rival.”

“Better that than a sucker.” He shrugs and grins before taking another bite of his burger.

AJ and Uncle Tony nod in agreement. They would love for me to marry an Italian man, especially a mafia man, even if it meant marrying our family’s rival.

I don’t have a rebuttal. No one in this car supports my relationship with Rhett, and nothing I say will convince them to change their opinions.

When AJ pulls up to the gate, Jax relays the gate code and the gate opens.

Memories flood my mind as I remember the last time I was here.

This time is different. This time, I’m willingly coming. This time, no one will be harmed.

As soon as AJ parks in front of the house, several men storm out the front door.

Did Jax give us a wrong code that informed them of our arrival? Do they have our cars memorized?

Jax climbs out of the backseat and holds his hands up. “They mean no harm. We need to set up a meeting right now.”

They nod their heads and escort us through the front door. We pass the office where I was kept last time and keep going deeper into the house.

Jax steps closer to me and whispers, “Don’t worry Francesca, you aren’t being led to the wolves.”

“Why don’t I believe you?” I whisper back as we step into the living room. He chuckles and steps away from me.

---