And when I heard him munching on something, my stomach dropped.
“What is it?” Israel asked.
“Are you eating grapes by any chance?”
He paused. “Yes…? Why?”
“And you’re in a grocery store right now?”
I heard his cart crash into something. “I’m leaving now. When I get home, you’re going to tell me how you know this. Got it?”
“My uncle called.”
“Not on the phone. When I get home. I’ll have the groceries delivered.”
“He had snipers—”
“When. I get. Home. Stay put. Stay away from the windows. I’m heading back now.”
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered.
I heard a car door open. “I’ll be home soon. Stay in the hallway upstairs. Okay?”
“I’m already here.”
“Good girl. ETA is five.”
Then, he hung up the phone. Leaving me to cry by myself as I curled my knees to my chest. When the hell did everything get so fucked?
17
Israel
“Where are you going?”
Bonnie’s voice fluttered from the stairs as I slid my arms into my coat.
“Out,” I said, rage fueling my every move.
“Let me grab my purse and I’ll—”
“Alone.”
Silence filled the room. “I thought the deal was to go wherever one another went. Especially after what happened yesterday.”
I fluffed the collar of my coat. “That’s why I need to go alone. I know they’re waiting for you to leave this penthouse before those snipers appear again. They know we know they’re watching. The best thing we can do is conduct business as usual.”
“Which is, apparently, not keeping our word.”
I turned to face her. “You started that trend when you decided to go against your uncle’s wishes and not kill me. This entire relationship is built on us not keeping our words. Why would this shock you now?”
The hard truth of his words widened my eyes. “I’m not shocked, Israel. I’m just hurt.”
Her words cut deep. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“I just want things to be different. I want us to be a team.”
I reached for my scarf. “Then give me room to make that happen.”
“It doesn’t feel like you’re making anything happen.”
“Says the woman who’s got a hit out on her head but isn’t dead yet.”
She sighed. “Israel, that’s not—”
“I have to go. I’ll bring home dinner. Five o’clock sharp. If I’m not back? You know who to call.”
“I do. Yeah.”
I pressed the button for the elevator. “Wonderful. Try to get some rest today. I know you must be frazzled still.”
“You think me weak when I’m anything but.”
I stepped into the elevator, then turned to face her. “You’re the strongest woman I know, Bonnie. But even the strongest have their weak points.”
The doors closed between us, and I focused on the task at hand. I had to get to the police station. I had an appointment with the chief of the department, Wiles Anderson, and we had much to discuss. Hell of a name for the chief of police, but I suppose it suited him well enough.
I wanted to speak with him about Bonnie’s family.
My security guard at the bottom of the elevator nodded as I stepped out. “Afternoon, sir.”
Another guard followed me to the front lobby door. “Let me get the door.”
And yet another one spoke into his wrist as I opened my town car door and slipped inside. “Bossman’s in the car. One scheduled destination.”
The security men talked around me as I slid into the back of my town car. I motioned for my driver to leave, then rattled off where we were headed. I slid my scarf off and gazed out the window, searching the rooftops for any glint of sunlight that didn’t belong. Once we pulled up to the police station, I focused on what I needed to do.
“Can I help you?” the plump man at the desk asked.
I gave him a professional smile. “I’m here to speak with Chief Anderson.”
A voice sounded behind me. “Follow me, Mr. Rossi.”
I turned around and found a worn, aged man standing behind me. He looked me right in my eyes before he turned around, motioning with his hand to follow me. I nodded at the officer behind the desk before I followed the trench-coated man, who still hadn’t slid his sunglasses off even though we were inside.
However, once we got into his office, he took them off. And the black eyes told me everything I needed to know about him.
“Rough night?” I asked.
He eased himself into his office chair. “Always, when you’re on duty. What can I help you with, Mr. Rossi? You seemed pretty urgent to take up my time.”
I slid the folder out of my coat and set it on his desk. “I’d like you to reopen this case.”
He flipped the folder open with a frown. “Ah, I remember that night.”
“Seems everyone does.”
He peered up at me. “You want me to reopen the Moretti case. Why?”
“Because I can promise you I can find evidence that will make it worth your while.”
“Evidence you don’t have now.”
“Evidence I don’t have proof of yet.”
He nodded slowly. “So, you’re telling me this wasn’t a drunken car crash.”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
“What does your information say it is?”
“If you’re the right person for the job, you already know. I’m hoping you are, though, Chief Anderson.”
He sighed. “I had my best men on this case. They would’ve known if it was murder.”
“And you know Pava Moretti’s got more hands in this police department than I do. I’m asking you to work with me. I’m not asking you to flip and become some bad guy.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. When did Moretti get into this game?”
So, maybe he wasn’t the right guy. “When I figured out he was the one who killed Bonnie’s parents.”
“Ah, that was her name. Bonnie.”
I nodded. “This wasn’t a car crash. This was planned. Pre-meditated. And I’ll pay whatever it is you need to put your best men on this that aren’t dirty.”
He stood. “None
