Page 42 of Dark Desire

I gripped his shirt and pushed him against the wall. “Let me tell you something. That woman is not taking the fall for anyone. She acted in self-defense and your department knows it. You’ve just got a hard-on for my family, so you’re too blind to see it.”

“I think you should let me go before I throw you in jail for assaulting a federal agent.”

I let out the breath I was holding in and glanced around the room. We were being watched by a dozen men in uniform. Going to jail right now was the last thing I needed. Right now, the only thing important was telling our attorney the news.

“Now.” He straightened his shirt and grinned. “How about that chat?”

Fuck. I walked right into his trap. There was no other choice but to comply and give him five minutes. “Fine.”

I followed him to a small interrogation room and sat down. Pulling my phone out, I pressed record and set it on the table.

“Is there a reason you feel the need to record this, Mr. Anastasi?”

“I don’t trust you or your men watching from behind that glass wall. You could use my words against me, so having them recorded protects me. I am here without representation, after all.” I leaned back in the hard chair and folded my arms across my chest. Holding his gaze, I grinned. “Can we get started? I have business to attend to.”

“Speaking about business. How is it a man can be murdered in your building, a woman who you're romantically involved with charged for the crime, and you don’t come back immediately?”

“My family’s business is not on trial here, but I will give you this. I was wrapped up in a negotiation that would not lend to my disappearance. My brother flew back immediately to aid in her release, and I came back as soon as I could. It killed me to be in Italy knowing the woman I love is stuck in this hellhole.”

He flinched slightly at the open admission of my feelings for Riley. “Right. Can you tell me why Dmitri Ivanov was there hunting you down?”

“As you know, there has been a long-standing rivalry between the Italians and Russians. Not too long ago, Dmitri approached us about a business deal. We turned him down, and he didn’t take too kindly to that.”

“Why did you turn him down? Isn’t his business something your family would typically dabble in?”

I laughed at his obvious attempt to confuse me into implicating my family for illegal business. That wouldn't happen, ever. “No. My family doesn't partake in anything illegal. We’ve worked too hard to get where we are and dealing with slime like him would eventually bring us down.”

“Didn’t he kidnap your brother?” I tried to hide my shock. No one was supposed to know that outside the family. “No. He wasn’t. Antonio was involved in a hiking accident in Chile.”

“That’s not the information we got.” He wrote something down in his notebook.

“Well, it’s wrong. Would you like me to give you the number of a friend who was with him?”

I knew I was risking myself and the family by doing this without talking to Matias first, but deep down, I knew he would cover for us.

“That would be great.”

“I have somewhere to be, and since you aren’t arresting me, Agent Mitchell, I think this conversation is done.” I stood and grabbed my phone. “You’ll be hearing from my attorney. Miss Lawson will not be held here much longer.”

Agent Mitchell followed me out the door. "that number, Mr. Anastasi."

I paused, turning to look over my shoulder. "My attorney will send it along with Riley's release order."

I could feel all eyes on me as I passed the front counter. This place was a cesspool, and there was no way I was going to allow Riley to stay here another minute.

Pressing my phone to my ear, I took a deep breath. “Massimo. Call the attorney and Antonio. Have them meet us at the club. There’s something we need to discuss.”

He paused before answering me. “I assume she told you?”

“Yes. And we will not stop until Riley has been released. I will not have her sitting in jail pregnant with my child.”

I pocketed the device in my pants and straddled my bike. Giving one last glance at the jail, I smiled at Agent Mitchell. He was still watching me from the top of the steps. I tugged my helmet on and revved the engine. He thought he would corner me into lying. They had no idea who they were dealing with. I'd do whatever was necessary to free her. Nothing…and I mean nothing he could do would keep me from saving the woman I loved.

I made it to Discoteca in record time and wasn't surprised to find everyone there as well. Madison rush to my side, throwing her arms around me and letting out a sob. "I'm so sorry, Vin. I wanted to tell you, but I promised her I wouldn’t."'

"Madison." I leaned her away from my body, gripping both her shoulders. "I'm not mad at you. You're a good friend and I'm grateful you were there for her when I couldn’t be."

"You're not mad?" She smiled at me, swiping at her tears.

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