Page 24 of Deadly Intentions

“Catarina.” Vincenzo greeted me with a concerned expression. “How is he?”

“Michael or Antonio?”

“Both.” Vincenzo shrugged, glancing toward the closed door.

“Together. That’s all that matters now. The rest will work itself out. I’m sorry for leaving the way I did. I should have talked to you guys and told you what I wanted. You must hate me for missing out on my niece and nephew’s birth.”

“I could never hate you.” Vincenzo pulled me into his arms and squeezed. “Pissed, maybe. But hate? That’s not a word in my vocabulary for you, Cat. So…” He stepped back and looked around. “This is home for you.”

I paused, looking at my brothers. This wasn’t home—deep down, I knew home was with my family. No matter how much I wanted to ignore who I was, I couldn’t.

“I thought it was.” I sighed. “But seeing you guys here, I know it was just an escape.”

“Does that mean you’ll come home with us?” Massimo asked.

“Not right away. I owe it to the hospital to work out a notice. But this isn’t home for me. Not anymore.” My eyes found Donny’s, and I blushed.

“I get it. You’re coming home for a man.” Massimo quirked an eyebrow and smirked. “I can’t say I’m sad about that. You’ve kept my best friend away too long. Madison is going nuts with Drew as my second. He gets on her nerves. Truth is, I think he’s smitten with my fiancée and is just as protective as I am.”

“And you haven’t killed him?” I laughed.

“Nah. Drew is harmless. He likes his balls intact.”

“Jesus.” I shook my head.

“Trina.” Harley interrupted us.

Using my fake name made Massimo narrow his eyes at me. “Trina?”

“Yeah.” Harley leaned closer and whispered under her breath. “I figured she didn’t want Dr. Brooks hearing her real name.”

“Catarina,” he growled and pinned me with his typical 'what the fuck aren’t you telling me' stare. “Is there something you left out?”

I bristled at his comment. I didn’t want to lie, but I wasn’t ready to fill him in on the other problem lingering in the background.

“She used a fake name to get hired. If her boss finds out, she could face legal troubles,” Donny interjected. “Harley knows but has no intention of spilling the beans.”

“I see.” Massimo folded his arms and visibly relaxed. "Is that all?" He arched a brow in question.

“Excuse me.” If things couldn’t get any worse, Alex stepped out of the elevator.

“Detective Coulter.” I forced a smile and stepped around my brothers to meet him at the counter.

“Holy fuck.” His eyes widened when Massimo turned to face him. “Massimo?”

“Alex Coulter. It’s been a long time.” Massimo stuck his hand out and shook his hand, stunning me and the others.

“Um.” My head volleyed between them in confusion. “You two know each other?”

“You could say that.” Massimo grinned. “Alex and I went to college together. But I thought you lived in Reno—a cop out there.”

“I was… I mean, am. I’m on special assignment as part of a joint drug task force. Lake District might be small, but it’s the perfect hiding spot for drug trafficking.”

Massimo bristled at his words, glancing my way. I ducked my head, unable to look him in the eyes. If I did, he would know Iwashiding something from him. He still didn’t know Donny hadn't exactly found me on his own. When he learned the how, the small town of Lake District would learn the Anastasi name in a way I wasn't ready for.

“I see. Well, it looks like you’ve met my sister.” The words tumbled from his lips, causing my entire frame to stiffen.

Alex’s head jerked toward me, his eyes piercing me with unanswered questions. “Your sister.”

---