Page 20 of Brutal Legacy

Impulsively, I leaned toward Eddie and hugged him. “Thanks.”

He chuckled and waved me off. “Have fun.”

I leftthe building and spilled out into the early afternoon daylight with relief. The air was as fresh as LA ever got, and best of all, I had a little time to myself while I ran my errand. There was something I had to do.

As soon as I was away from the building, I pulled out the calling card I’d bought this morning, and painstakingly typed in the information, before calling Italy. The phone rang briefly, and then someone answered. I spoke haltingly, aware that this was my first time speaking proper Italian out loud in a while. Since Tommaso died…

She put me on hold, and before I knew it, a deep, male voice greeted me.

“Mrs. Conti, thank you for returning my call.”

“No problem. You had information about my father?” I perched on the edge of a stone fountain outside the office building.

“Yes, I’m not sure if you know, but he has been arrested.”

“What?” The shock radiated through me. “What for?”

“The charges are pending, but the initial warrant cited bribery and corruption. The new director in charge at theDirezione Investigativa Antimafiais very insistent in rooting out the criminal infrastructure that has allowed the Mafia to run unchecked in Southern Italy.”

The lawyer’s tone didn’t make it clear whether he approved of the DIA’s actions or not.

“My father doesn’t work for the Mafia,” I said.

The lawyer was silent for a while. “The investigation will reveal more information.”

“He doesn’t! Salvatore De Sanctis was his childhood friend, that’s all… The police are just confusing?—”

“Mrs. Conti. I am not a jury; you don’t need to convince me of anything. Your father wanted you to be informed, and Iam doing so. I also believe you should know that your father might choose to cooperate with the law in the prosecution of some of the people he allegedly worked with. That could pose a significant threat to your family.”

“My family? I’m the only other Bellisario…” I pointed out.

“Exactly. I suggest you think on that and take the necessary precautions. I will call you again to update you with any progress in his case.”

“Wait, what am I supposed to?—”

The call cut off, and an electronic voice informed me that I had used all my credits.

After the call ended, I sat as long as I could afford to, trying to get my head around my new reality. My dad had been arrested. The self-proclaimed moral compass of Castel Amaro, arrested for bribes and corruption. I felt sick. Sure, I knew my father had his faults, but I’d never thought of him in the same category as the De Sanctis family.

Had I been wrong?

When I couldn’t afford to linger any longer, I got up and made my way onto the bus, slinging the dress over my shoulder. I rode downtown with the masses, pressed tight in the midday rush. I loved to people-watch on the bus. I loved to look at the ladies who wore beautiful heels and bright dresses. Gorgeous colors and patterns, innovative and fresh fashion. It was still my passion, but unfortunately, not my reality. I couldn’t help catching my reflection in the glass doors and reminding myself how far I was from a chic existence. I wore comfy mom jeans and sneakers, layers of old T-shirts, and a light sweater on top to adjust to whatever temperature the sewing room would be onany given day. My hair was always braided or kept in a ponytail. Sensible and practical. I had no jewelry, and my hands were calloused, dry, and painful.

The time in my life to think about pretty fabrics and luxury garments for myself was long behind me.

There was a crawling sensation on my neck that had me glancing around. Paranoia crept over me. I was the last Bellisario… and my father had crossed the wrong people. Would I really be a target?

I got off the bus hurriedly, still feeling those silent eyes on me. Was I being followed? I kept twisting around to look, but everyone was minding their own business, talking to friends or keeping their eyes glued to their phones.

After endless minutes of walking, I arrived at the hotel where I was to drop the dress off. My stomach growled as I made my way into the foyer and over to the wall of elevators. The assistant had already given me the room number. I had to leave the gown with the actress’s glam team, and then I could go and see if there was any food left over from the function.

I made the handoff on the penthouse floor, enjoying the luxury of the hotel.

It had been a very long time since there had been any kind of luxury in my life. On the way out, I grabbed a few soggy sandwiches and stepped back out onto the busy sidewalk.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I was surprised to see the lawyer’s number flash across the screen.

“Hello?” I answered around a mouthful of chicken salad.

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