Page 142 of Empire of Temptation

Palmieri smoothed his mustache carefully. “If you tell me what I wish to hear, I will allow Signore Benetti’s lawyers to be brought in today.”

This seemed like a good compromise. “I have your word?”

“Sì, signorina. I'll give you my word.”

“Flavio believes someone named Rossi is responsible for your daughter’s death and he’s trying to make my father the scapegoat for it.”

“If that’s true, then why target a man who hasn’t lived in this country for almost a decade? Why not choose someone else, someone more convenient?”

“Rossi has been searching for my father since he left. My father knew Rossi was stealing from the mafia and made the mistake of trying to use the information to gain his freedom.”

“Rossi is a common name here. You have no other information?”

“Investigating men in this country is your job, not mine. I’m sure there is a man by that name here who is already on your radar.”

Palmieri stared at the wall, unmoving. I wondered what he was thinking, if he knew this man named Rossi and had been watching him. I hoped so, because I didn’t want him backing out on our deal. I needed Luca released.

The man across from me stood and straightened his tie. “Unless there is more, you are free to go.”

I rose and clasped my hands. “Don’t forget your promise to let Luca’s lawyers get him out today.”

“I never promised to release Benetti today. But I did agree to let his lawyers in to visit.”

“Good. Then it’s only a matter of time until he’s freed.”

“Don’t be so sure, signorina.” Now at the door, Palmieri paused. “He had the chance to stop it, capisce? I asked him to turn you over or face arrest. Can you guess which option he chose?”

My mouth parted on a shocked breath. What on earth? Luca had allowed them to arrest him rather than turn me over?

We weren’t dating or sleeping together any longer. Why not save himself from prison by letting Palmieri interview me? This made no sense.

I swear to protect you from the blood and crime.

Palmieri held the door open, regaining my attention. “Come. I’ll walk you to the front.”

“Grazie,” I said and went by him into the hallway.

We began walking together, my shoes rapping loudly on the worntile. “Your Italian needs work,” he said. “But I suppose you will have plenty of time to perfect it here, no?”

Did he mean now, as I waited for Luca’s release? “Not sure how much I can learn in a few days, but we’ll see.”

“A few days?” He made a dismissive sound in his throat. “Signorina, if you think Benetti will ever let you return to New York, you are fooling yourself. This life,hislife, swallows women whole.”

I had no response. He was wrong. I wasn’t staying here, no matter what Luca wanted. We were through.

He stopped at the exit door and snapped at the men to open up. A buzzer sounded and Palmieri pushed it open. “Arrivederci, Signorina Montella.”

I started to leave, then paused. “My deepest sympathies on the loss of your daughter, signore.”

He didn’t react, so I hurried out, hoping I’d done enough.

“My uncles are losing their minds.”

I closed the car door and reached for the seat belt. “Why?”

“Luca called them and was very, very angry.” Gabi checked the mirrors and pulled into traffic away from the prison. “They want us in Catanzaro right away.”

“Are you in trouble for bringing me here?”

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