Page 34 of Ruthless King

“We didn’t find any marriage certificates when searching you,” Chase says.

“That’s because you won’t find anything on me. Now, leave.”

“Mrs. Mancini,” Morgan says, ignoring Nico. “May I have a word with you?”

“No, you may not,” Nico says.

“I was talking to your wife, Mr. Mancini. Not you.”

Should I talk to these men? Beatrice would say no. But maybe they know something—something that would help me go after Nico.

“It’s ok,” I say to Nico. “I can speak with them.”

Nico stares down at me for a long moment before nodding. “All right.”

“Alone,” Morgan adds.

I step outside, and the detectives shut the door, separating me from Nico.

“Mrs. Mancini,” Chase begins. “How long have you and Nico been married?”

“Just a little over a week.”

“Newlyweds. How long have you known each other.”

“Just a little over a week. It was an arranged marriage.”

Both detectives raise their eyebrows at this.

“I didn’t know arranged marriages were still a thing,” Chase says.

“I guess so,” I say.

“Do you know what your husband does for work?”

“Not really. No. He doesn’t tell me much.”

“So, you’ve never heard the name Giovanni Costa before?”

Suddenly, I’m hit in the stomach with the memory of my father, and before I can stop it, tears spill from my eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I say, wiping them away.

“Have you heard the name Giovanni Costa before?” Chase reiterates.

“No,” I blurt out. “I haven’t.”

“So, then, why are you crying?”

Think, Aurora, think. “I’m just thinking of my own father. He passed away a few years ago. I don’t know why it hit me. It just did.”

“Who’s your father?” Chase asks, taking out a notepad.

“John Keller.”

It won’t matter if they look into me. Beatrice did a good job creating my fake past. She also scrubbed Aurora Costa from the earth so no one will know I’m Giovanni’s daughter.

“Why do you think my husband is involved in … What did you say his name was?”

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