Page 21 of Fatal Love

Massimo ground his teeth together in frustration. “Fuck.”

“What about Antonio? Wasn’t he working at her place?” Madison’s concern showed on her face. She and Antonio were close and knowing he might be hurt or in trouble bothered her.

“Yes, but there is no way they can link him to the explosion. Plus,” I blew out a breath. “Agent Jackson found Dmitri’s calling card at the scene.”

“He’s behind both missing shipments.” It wasn’t a question. We all suspected it was him, but with everything that happened recently, it was more like an unconfirmed truth. “I need to call Antonio. He doesn’t need to stress about this. He’s still getting over Grandfather’s death and now Vincenzo.”

“I’ll talk to him.” Everyone turned to look at me. Madison cracked a knowing smile.

Massimo cocked an eyebrow. “Why would you talk to him?”

“Um.” I hesitated, unsure of what to say. I knew Antonio wasn’t one hundred percent sure about telling them about us right now. But I hated lying to Massimo. Madison gave me a knowing glance and tugged on Massimo’s arm.

“I think you need to focus on Vin, Massimo.” Madison laced her hand in his. “Let Michael deal with Antonio right now so you can focus on this other stuff.”

Massimo glanced between me and Madison, suspicion marring his face. “I don’t know what you’re keeping from me, but I am going to assume whatever it is, it’s protecting this family. If I find out otherwise, I won’t hesitate to kill you.”

“Massimo.” Madison slapped his chest. “That is so far out of line. Michael, please forgive his crass remark.”

“Massimo don’t scare off my attorney. I need him to get me out of this charge, so my babies aren’t being raised by someone else. If Vincenzo dies…” Riley’s voice caught with emotion.

“Stop.” I pressed my hand to her back. “He isn’t going to die—he's to fucking mean for that. And I didn’t take Massimo’s statement personally. He’s right. I am keeping something from him. But—” I turned to look at him. “It’s not what you think. When the time is right, Antonio will tell you himself. Just know I will protect him and your family as if it were my own.”

Massimo nodded his head in acceptance. “Fine.”

I bid them farewell and headed out of the room. Something had to give, or this would not end the way we needed. I slipped my phone out of my pocket and called the only person who could help me.

“Agent Jackson.” I stepped into the elevator, praying my call wouldn’t drop. “We need to meet and come up with a plan. This family deserves some peace.”

Pulling into the diner's parking lot, I glanced around for any threats looming. The last thing I needed was to have something go wrong now. Agent Jackson was seated at a corner booth, looking as worn as I felt.

"Jackson." I slid in the seat opposite him. "I'm hoping we can work this out together and bring in the man responsible for it all."

"Dmitri Ivanov." He sighed. "This man has been a thorn in the FBI's side for a decade or more. Every time we get close, he evade us somehow. I'll do what I can on my end to redirect the spotlight from your clients, if you help me shine it on him."

I smiled, tapping the counter with my knuckles. "That's why I'm here. Look there are things you need to know, but I need reassurance you aren't going to use it against Riley or Vincenzo."

Jackson settled against the back of his seat and tugged out his cell phone. He slid it across the surface toward me. "Take the battery out." I watched as he stood, tore off his jacket and lifted his shirt. "No wire. If you want to pat down my pants, I'm fine with that. I don't give a shit about the Anastasi's. Dmitri Ivanov killed my partner's mother." My shocked expression must have been easily read on my face. "Yeah. I know about that, Michael—FBI, remember. It wasn't an important detail to mention to anyone, so I didn't. By the time I learned the truth, Riley had already bonded out of jail."

He sat back down and sighed. "What I want is Ivanov's head on a platter and my partner to live her life without worrying she's going to give birth in jail."

"You sure you're in the right profession?" I laughed. "Agents aren’t usually this forgiving."

He grew silent, his gaze never wavered from mine. "See… the thing is, Michael. This job took something from me I'll never get back, so I everything I do now if for me. "

My brows knitted together in confusion. He lifted the glass of water the waitress had placed in front of him and took a sip. I watched with confusion as he set the empty tumbler down and let his arms fall to his sides.

"Jackson… What did the FBI take from you?"

"The woman I loved."

Eleven

Antonio

Rachel was beautifully wrapped around Michael. After the first week of being holed up at Michael’s house, she'd moved her things into his room. She said she hated being alone in her room at night. I didn’t mind—hell, I had practically moved into his place as well. I still hadn’t told Massimo what was happening between us, although I suspected he knew.

Madison, on the other hand, did. The day she brought clothes over from Rachel, she hugged me and told me it would all work out. She was glad to see me happy. The fact I was in love with Michael and falling hard for Rachel didn’t faze her. Madison insisted Massimo wouldn’t care, either, but I didn’t want to add to his stress. Vincenzo was still in a coma and Riley was now on bedrest at his side. She'd fought tooth and nail to be in his room and it wasn't Massimo and my father raised hell with hospital administration to get them to allow it. That and the sizable donation our family made to the hospital to get their way.

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