Page 43 of Dark Desire

Shaking my head, I pulled her into another hug. "No, Maddie—I'm not"

"Get your hands off my woman." Massimo slapped my shoulder, tugging her into his arms. "We're going to get yours out so you can keep your paws off this one."

I followed Massimo to his office, where Michael was waiting.

Antonio's phone rang behind me. He glanced down at the screen. "Excuse me. I need to take this."

Completely ignoring his sudden departure, I turned to the attorney. "Mr. Brighton, I want her out tonight."

He palmed the back of his neck and blew out a frustrated breath. "First, call me Michael. We're going to be working close over the next few weeks. Second, they aren't going to let her out. I'm sorry Mr. Anastasi. Both myself and the partners have been on the phone since you left the jail."

I slammed my hands down on the table, rattling the glasses and spilling out some of their contents. “Why not?”

“They said pregnant women have been in jail before and she’s not any different. They worry we will hustle her off to Italy where they can’t find her.”

“Fuck.” I picked up my glass and downed what was left of the bourbon. “Who is this new prosecutor I hear is going to try the case?”

“She was hired a few weeks ago. Some new hotshot out of New York. They're concerned we have people in our pocket.” Michael slipped off his coat and tossed it over a chair. He's the newest member of Don Giuliani’s team. He’s young, but sharp. I know Don has vetted him enough to know he will fit in with the family’s team of attorneys—even though he is young.

I grumble beneath my breath. “Great.”

Antonio stepped into the room and searched the faces standing around. His body went rigid when his eyes landed on the attorney.

“Michael."

“Antonio.”

The tension was obvious between the two men as they stared each other down like they were in a Mexican standoff. “Is there a problem here?" Massimo glared at them.

"No." Antonio shoved inside and plopped down into a chair.

"Good. Can we discuss this new prosecutor? There has to be a way to get her on our side.”

Massimo handed me a fresh drink before sitting down. “Donny, what dirt were you able to dig up on her?”

“Well,” he pushed off the wall and tossed a folder onto the table. “She’s the youngest female hired as a criminal prosecutor—twenty-eight years old. She fast tracked herself through school and made a name for herself in New York. She’s known for being one of the most ruthless prosecutors around and for never losing a case. She was suggested to the Las Vegas Prosecutor’s office by the Feds. As Michael stated, they were concerned we would have the others on our payroll. Her parents died some time ago—they were in the Twin Towers when they came down. Her only surviving relative is a brother in Reno.”

“Damn. That sucks about her parents. What was her name again?” Antonio asked, watching Michael the entire time. It was weird, and I wondered if there was something they weren't telling us.

“Rachel Hill.”

I rubbed my temples. “This doesn’t help us get Riley out of jail.”

“Well… I have some good news on that front.” Michael smiled, glancing at his phone. “I just received word Miss Hill convinced the Judge who denied bond, to change her mind. She feels Riley's not a flight risk and considering her condition should be let out on bond.”

“Seriously?” I stood. “When can I get her?”

“She will be released tomorrow evening, after her paperwork is processed and she’s placed into your custody. But I must warn you—" He took a breath. "I believe there is an ulterior motive. I think the Feds are hoping for you two to slip up and give them the evidence they need to convict her. So, letting her out is a ploy.”

“That’s not what we need. Vin, are you sure it’s wise for her to stay with you? Perhaps she should stay with Antonio.”

“No. She’ll stay with me. I don’t give a fuck about the FBI, or anyone else, for that matter. Knowing the prosecutor is looking for a fuck up doesn’t bode well for us regardless of where she stays.”

Antonio smiled, pushing the folder on the desk toward me. “No, it doesn’t, but I have an idea to fix that.”

“How the hell do you plan to do that?” I snapped, my patience running thin.

“Rumor has it she is in the market for a contractor. I plan on working for the man she hired. Once I’m in, I'll see what I can learn about her and get her under our thumb.”

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