Page 25 of Deadly Intentions

“Yeah. Catarina. She came here to get away from the family. And as it turns out, has been caring for a family member that went missing. Michael was listed as John Doe—that’s why we couldn’t find him after his accident.”

“Accident,” he muttered. “The man in that room is family?” Alex asked, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Yes.” Massimo noticed our locked gazes. “Am I missing something here?”

“It seems your sister has some explaining to do. Isn’t that right, Trina? Or should I call you Catarina?”

“Alex.” I stepped forward, but Donny wrapped his arm around my middle and held me against him. “I only lied about my name. Everything else was real.”

“Right.” He stepped to the nurse’s station. “I guess I can mark John Doe out of my investigation. Harley.” He smiled at my friend and boss. “Call me if you need something.” He stepped back and paused. “Massimo, it was nice seeing you again. I hope Michael makes a full recovery. Catarina.”

“Alex. Please. Don’t go like this.” I shook my head, disgusted that I’d hurt him.

“Look.” He glanced around at my brothers, meeting Donny’s gaze for a moment. “You and I were never going to happen—not when he showed up, and probably not before. And I’m good with that, really. I am. But I don’t like liars. You could have told me who you were and why you’d chosen to change your name. People do it all the time, for different reasons. But you didn’t and had me believing you were genuine. I overlook a lot of things as a cop. But—" He glanced at Massimo, and something passed between them, before he continued. “As silly as it sounds, I don’t tolerate liars.”

“Hey.” Massimo stepped forward. “Don’t hold it against her, Alex. She was trying to protect you, too. You know my family. It was the right thing to do.”

“Sure.” Alex frowned. “I’ve got to go. But Catarina… you should stay away from Javier. He’s bad news.”

With that, we watched as he climbed into the elevator and disappeared.

“Who’s Javier?” Vincenzo broke the awkward silence.

“Trina?” Dr. Brooks chose that moment to step out of the shadows. “Meet me in my office. Now.”

“Fuck.” Donny grumbled.

“I’ll be fine.” I pressed a kiss to his cheek and followed my boss away from my family.

There was no telling how much of that interaction he’d heard. I imagined it was enough to make my problems go from mild to worse. The last thing I needed was him knowing who my family was. There was no doubt he would use me to his sick advantage.

fourteen

DONNY

My eyes followedher down the corridor until I couldn’t see her any longer. Massimo and Vincenzo glared at me, their eyes burning a hole in the side of my head.

“Talk. Now.” Massimo growled as soon as I turned to face him.

“Not here. Let’s step inside Michael’s room.” I ushered them into the room and closed the door. Antonio had Rachel on face time and was filling her in on Michael’s status. Her tears were heart wrenching and happy all at the same time.

“Hey Rach, baby. I need to call you back.” His eyes tracked Massimo’s stiff posture. He promised to call her later before disconnecting the call. “What’s up?” He slipped his cell into his pocket.

“Catarina’s in trouble.” I didn’t mince my words. “You asked how I found her. But the truth is, she found me. Three nights ago, I got a call from her. It was a burner phone, but I’d suspected for some time she’d been calling me and not saying anything. Until this time. She said she was in trouble and needed me. After getting her location, I drove here.”

“Ok. What’s going on?” Vin paced the floor.

“When I got here, she was sitting on the floor of her kitchen covered in blood. A man had been dead for several hours at her feet. Apparently, Catarina fought the intruder off and stabbed him. Your friend Alex had just dropped her off from a date. As soon as she stepped inside, a man attacked her. Catarina said he was there to take her for his boss. Javier Costa.”

“Fuck,” Massimo groaned. “How did she get tangled up with someone capable of kidnapping her?”

“Her boss.” I gritted my teeth. “She overheard a conversation between them a day or so before her date with Alex. Catarina believes Dr. Brooks is supplying him with drugs or helping him transport them.”

“Fucking Christ.” Antonio groaned. “Why can’t we catch a break?”

“The good news is she’s agreed to come home. Maybe we can just pack her up and leave without incident.”

“You know as well as I do, people like Javier will not let her leave if he suspects she knows something.”

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