Page 11 of Fatal Love

Five

Rachel

Something was completely amiss.

Who stabbed Vincenzo, and how the hell did I sleep with an Anastasi and not know it? The rhythmic sound of my fingers rolling across the steering wheel kept me anchored to the present. An overwhelming need to go to the hospital had me squirming like a child in my seat. Going there would be an epic mistake—not just for me, but for everyone involved. Before I could explore my feelings for either man, I needed to clear Riley’s name. Her innocence was becoming more certain than the green light currently signaling me safely through the intersection. My thumb pressed the call button on my steering wheel, the automated voice demanding who to call.

“Call Donovan.”

Patience was not a virtue I currently had. Between the weight of my foot and the grip on the leather circle in front of me, I was certain my driving was equivalent to a sixteen-year-old with a brand-new license. It felt like the phone rang for an eternity until finally his voice filled the cab of my car.

“Hill, this better be worth interrupting my Saturday for.”

“Vincenzo Anastasi has been stabbed. They’re rushing him to the hospital as we speak.”

Him being shocked was an understatement. “What? How?”

“Not sure." I tapped the edge of my steering wheel. "Should I go to the hospital to see if I can get any details?”

“Fuck. Where are you on evidence with the Lawson woman?”

“There is none.” I was done pretending there was.

“Bullshit.” He growled into the phone. “Like I told you yesterday—find something.”

“What do you want me to do? Conjure up something? She’s innocent and you know it.” I spat back, irritated that he wasn't listening to what I'd been saying for weeks.

“Then call Agent Jackson and tell him that yourself. I told you, the Feds are breathing down my neck on this one. They’re threatening to take over this case if we don’t wrap it up soon.” His words filled me with utter disgust.

Being pushed around by anyone was not my thing. If calling the agent handling the case on the Feds side ended this, then I would take one for the team. “I’ll call him. I’m done digging up shit that isn’t there.”

“Are you willing to risk your career on this, Rachel?” It was never a good sign when he used my first name.

As the district attorney, he kept things at the upmost professional level possible. Calling me by my given name was a bag thing. But he was right. This would change my career in a way I wasn’t sure I was ready for, but in my gut, I knew what I had to do. In my mind, I could see it clearly. I was standing on the tracks with nowhere to go, and the train was speeding toward me, with no chance of stopping. I thought of my parents and what they would do in my position, and I knew instantly what I needed to say. “Yes.”

“Fine. Do what you think is best.” The silence inside the car was deafening.

As the car edged forward in traffic, I knew this was the tipping point for not only my career, but my life. For so long, I’d felt like an empty vessel drifting in a turbulent ocean with no direct course to shore. And now—now I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I pulled my car into the parking lot of the emergency room after driving there without realizing it.

I knew what I needed to do—this time for Riley, and not the case.

“You are really starting to annoy me.” The Judge growled into the line.

“There’s been an incident that will fuck us over—excuse the language.”

He grumbled, obviously over my theatrics. “I am starting to think your demands are just a delay tactic.”

“I understand why you would think that, but Vincenzo Anastasi was stabbed and is currently in the emergency room.”

“I am sure a man like him is used to being stabbed.”

“In the neck?” I paused, waiting to hear what comment he might have after that tidbit.

“Fuck.”

“Exactly. With Riley pregnant, and now this, I think the trial can wait. Plus, it gives us time to connect the missing dots. I’m calling Agent Jackson in a moment to compare notes. This attack was not a coincidence.”

He huffed a frustrated sigh. “I don’t suppose it was. Fine. I’ll push it out indefinitely. Going to trial while a pregnant woman’s husband is near dead doesn’t look good on this department, anyway. Let me know if something changes.” I hung up, relieved I had more time to put this mess to bed.

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