Page 133 of Empire of Temptation

I disconnected, broke the phone apart, and tossed it onto the desk.

A few seconds later Palmieri returned. “I’ve waited long enough. Where is Segreto? I know he killed my daughter.”

“He didn’t. Segreto has been in hiding the entire time.”

“Impossible. The evidence points to Segreto.”

I cocked my head. “Who gave you this evidence?”

“It doesn’t matter. I know it was Segreto. Rumor is you went to find him. So where is he?”

Frustration began to build, but I squashed it. “Colonnello, Segreto did not kill your daughter. I suggest you start looking elsewhere.”

“You say this as if you are certain, as if you know who is responsible.” He tapped his fingers on the old table. “So tell me who, Benetti.”

I couldn’t rat out Don Rossi, even if I wished, because it would break our code and bring dishonor to my family. It could possibly start a war with the other ’ndrine. It went against everything I’d ever promised. “I can’t tell you. But I can confirm Segreto is innocent. The information pointing to him was incorrect.”

Palmieri shot up out of his chair and began pacing, his shoulders stiff and angry. “I want a name! I want to know who slaughtered my little girl. He deserves to stand trial and I deserve vengeance!”

“I understand, Colonnello. But I can’t tell you any more than I already have. It would put my life and family in great danger.”

Whipping around he pounded his fist on the table. “You should fearme, Benetti. Because if you don’t tell me, you will live to regret it.”

“Then we are at an impasse, because I will not say more.” I pushed to my feet and pulled on my cuffs, straightening them. “Good luck, Colonnello.”

He moved to block my path. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Home. Unless you’re arresting me, but we both know you don’t have cause.”

“I have cause,” he said, motioning to the folder. “I have ten years’ worth of cause.”

“No, you don’t. Because if you did, you would’ve arrested me long before today.”

Palmieri snatched the handcuffs off the table. “Then let me make it perfectly clear: I’m arresting you unless you give me Segreto or his daughter. Then I’ll ask them my own questions. It’s clear the answer is there somewhere.”

I would die before I turned Valentina over to the GDF. And I promised her I wouldn’t involve her father.

We stared at one another. Palmieri’s eyes were almost manic, blazing with hatred and resentment. I slipped my hands into my trouser pockets and remained calm. “Is this because I fucked your wife?”

He let out a growl right before his fist connected with my cheek. I stumbled back a half step, my face now on fire. I straightened and looked down at him. Slowly, my hands clenched into fists, while the need for violence, for retribution made me tremble. I spoke softly, but with deadly intent. “You will regret this.”

With a sneer, he lunged for the door and yanked it open. “Vieni qui, per favore!” he called into the corridor. “Today we place the great Don Benetti under arrest.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Valentina

Ipushed through the back door and raced into the kitchen. “I’m here, I’m here. I’m sorry I’m late!”

The kitchen staff were at their stations, working, while Giovanni was in discussions with his sous chef. Everyone glanced up at my arrival, a sea of confused faces staring back at me.

I plopped my bag—my old purse, the one I’d carried for years—onto the stainless prep counter. Before I could say anything more, Roberto limped out from inside the office. “Ciao, signorina. Did you need something?”

“I’m here for the meeting.” I gathered my hair and dragged it into a messy bun on the top of my head. “I’m so glad you all waited for me before starting.”

“Val, bella. Come. Sit with me. Let’s talk.”

I glanced around the kitchen, but everyone was already back at work to prep for tonight’s dinner service. Roberto tugged on my arm and led me into the dining room. He held out a chair for me, so Ilowered myself down and put my purse on the floor. After he sat, I said, “What’s going on? Was the meeting canceled?”

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