Page 101 of Not In The Proposal

“We’re so glad you could see us on such short notice, Ms. Voss,” the older gentleman said, nodding in acknowledgment.

The younger man agreed quietly as the officer saw himself out and closed the door behind him.

“I’m happy we could meet,” I said, crossing one leg over the other. “My legal team tells me that you’re already somewhat aware of the situation?”

“We’ve been tailing Donnie Braga for years,” the younger detective answered. “His crime ring is part of a much larger organization that we’ve tried to bring down in the past.”

“Do you have any warrants for his arrest?” I asked.

“We issued several of them over the years.” Detective Moreira sighed. “But they never seem to stick long enough for him to be incarcerated. Which is why we’re very interested in what your private investigator has found.”

I pulled out my laptop, navigating to my emails and opening the last one I’d received from Warren.

“I must admit,” I said, briefly scrolling through the evidence folder; Mia had already told me enough, “I wasn’t able to give the team much to go on, and I gave them a very tight deadline. So, the extent to which this is helpful is limited.”

“I have to disagree,” Detective Moreira said with a kind smile. “Your team managed to uncover a link to an American ring we were unable to infiltrate. This evidence is exactly what we need to put Donnie, and many others like him, behind bars for good.”

My chest lightened briefly, relief pouring into my lungs.

“Great.” I smiled. “Then it won’t be necessary to file for the restraining orders?”

Detective Costa shook his head. “We’re in the process of issuing updated arrest warrants for Braga,” he explained, flipping through an old school manila folder and handing me the contents. “Our patrols are heading out with this in mind. I have no doubt that we’ll arrest him in due course.”

“Excellent,” I said, sliding the folder back to their side of the table. I glanced at my watch. “If that’s all, gentlemen, I have another engagement I need to get to.”

I walked out to the sounds of their farewells, my stomach fluttering with anxiety.

The easy part was done.

I stepped out onto the sidewalk to find a private car waiting for me, and I got in. The driver said nothing as he effortlessly weaved back into traffic, and I settled back in my seat. I wondered if Mia was okay, if she’d eaten anything since I’d practically forced dinner down her throat. I wondered if she’d slept, or if she’d stared at the ceiling for hours like I had.

My teeth gnawed on the inside of my cheek.This was the only way to help her, I reminded myself. The only way to make sure she never had to glance over her shoulder in her own city ever again.

The car rolled to a stop after an hour of driving through the stunning city, and I looked out the window. The restaurant that I’d dragged Mia to, the same one where I’d met Donnie, sat innocently between the high rises on either side. People milled about the entrance, each of them wearing the smiles of unbothered citizens.

I envied them a little.

I got out and made my way inside, shoulders tensing with each step I took. Warren’s warnings echoed like the death knell of a bell, and I rooted myself in the crowd around me.

“I’m so glad to see you again.”

I looked up to find Donnie sitting alone at a table, and I swallowed the acidic hatred that bubbled up my throat.

“I’m surprised you could meet on such short notice,” I said coolly, taking the seat across from him. “Considering what I imagine is a very busy schedule.”

He smirked, lifting a shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. “I could hardly decline an invite from someone like you.”

“Then you know who I am,” I surmised.

He nodded. “More than just Mia’s latest employer,” he quipped, and I wanted to rip that smirk off his face. “You’requitethe treasure trove.”

“Then you understand why I’m here.”

“Mia told you about her debt.” He chuckled. He leaned forward on his elbows, fingers laced on the table between us.

I nodded.

“I can’t say that I’m unwilling to hear you out.” He smirked. “But now that I know who you are… Can you blame me for being greedy?”

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