It isn’t a romantic proposal, but the moment couldn’t be more perfect.
I’m going to marry Matias Milazzo.
And not even Michael can stop me.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Matias
It’s been twelve weeks exactly. Sophie has officially made it out of the first trimester which means she wants to start telling people.
During these last twelve weeks, I’ve been digging into the house fire that took her parents’ life. I want to be able to marry her, knowing I did everything I could to bring her peace and ease her mind about me. There are times when she falls quiet and won’t look at me because I know there is a small part of her that believes I did it. I don’t blame her at all, but I will be finding out everything I need to know today.
“Matias?” Gianni knocks on the door before opening it.
“Is Ella okay? Did the school call?”
“No, no, nothing like that. The detective is here.”
I stand so fast, the chair hits the wall. “Bring him in.”
A middle-aged man, with salt and pepper hair brushed back, steps into my office. He has a stone-hard expression on his face, paired with a sharp jaw and cold eyes. He looks like a cop.
“I’m not happy to be here, Milazzo. You’re the big fish I was never able to catch.”
I grab a stack of cash from my desk drawer and throw it at him. “And now?”
He grins, tucking the money into his pocket. “Happy as a clam.”
“Thought so,” I roll my eyes. “Did you bring what I needed?”
He sighs, running his fingers through his hair. “Yeah, but you need to know, for me this was twenty years ago. I remember the fire, but I might not remember a lot of details.”
“That’s fine. Do you have the file with you?”
“Are you kidding?” He steps out of the way and my men begin to bring in boxes upon boxes.
My brows raise.
“You didn’t think an arson case that was never solved would be just a folder, did you?”
“I suppose not. I didn’t know what to expect.”
Ten boxes later, Detective Casey sits down, the only detective still alive who was on the case. “What do you want to start with first?”
“I want to see pictures of the crime scene or any family photos. Sophie thinks it’s mafia-related, and I want to clear my name but bring her peace, too.”
“Smart woman. I think it is, too, but I don’t think it’s you. You have different… tactics. You aren’t loud and messy. You wouldn’t start a fire. You wouldn’t want the attention. You’d keep your intent quiet. You’d kill with silence. This isn’t your doing. I have proof of that.”
“I appreciate that, but I want to know who did this. I don’t only want to clear my name.”
“I don’t know what you’ll find. I’ve been over these boxes a hundred times. There’s nothing there.”
“Let’s see, shall we.”
Detective Casey nods, sliding over the first box. “This contains all crime scene photos.” He scoots over another. “These are any personal belongings we could find.”
I open the first box. “Fuck,” I curse with an ache when I see the first photo lying on top of the folders.