Accidental Witness (Morelli Family 1)

“And why did he break up with you?”

I’m not looking forward to this one either, but I stare at his hand, wrapped around the grip, and say, “Because he was afraid if we stayed together, you would notice me. He was afraid if you noticed me, you might look into me, and if you did… you would realize what I must have witnessed.”

Glancing back at Vince, he says, “See, she even calls herself a witness.”

“But I would never tell anyone,” I add. “I didn’t and I wouldn’t. Vince was right to trust me. It doesn’t matter what I saw, no one will ever know. I even… I didn’t believe Vince, I didn’t think we should hide what I saw.”

Mateo’s head cocks to the side, but he seems interested enough that I go on.

“Vince was afraid you would…well, do this, I guess. But I wanted to bring it to you. I thought the crime was in the cover-up. I wanted to tell you what I saw, so there was nothing to hide. I wanted you to know I wouldn’t say anything.”

“Why would you care?” he asks, frowning slightly.

“I just… I just wanted to be with Vince. I thought if I showed you I was trustworthy, maybe you would be okay with that. Vince didn’t seem to agree. I guess… he was probably right on this one.”

“No,” Mateo says, shaking his head. “You were. This would have gone differently if you were telling me something I didn’t know. As it is, I had to find out about you myself. Confessing once you’re already caught doesn’t mean much.”

“I understand that,” I say quietly.

He draws the gun away from my head, but doesn’t put it away. I sag with relief, drawing in a shuddering breath and bracing my hands on the floor, sending up a silent prayer of thanks.

“I like your instincts, though,” he adds. Turning his attention to the scarred man, he asks, “What’s your opinion on this, Adrian?”

My gaze flashes to him, but Adrian isn’t looking at me. “I haven’t really talked to her enough to form a firm one, but my instinct is we trust Vince’s judgment on this one. He dumped her and she still didn’t talk.”

Mateo nods. “And kind of pushed her into the relationship to begin with, sounds like.”

I open my mouth to voice my objection to that, but, realizing immediately this isn’t a battle I want to pick, I settle on a scowl that no one sees anyway, since they’re too busy deciding my fate amongst themselves.

Now Mateo turns to Vince. “Are you committed to her?”

I expect an enthusiastic yes, seeing as my life’s on the line, but Vince’s guards are up even higher than that first night he accosted me in my kitchen. He gives Mateo a measured, wordless nod that does little to reassure me.

“All right,” Mateo says, surprisingly amiable as he tucks his gun away in his jacket again. “Never say I didn’t do anything for you. As long as you want her and she doesn’t give me reason to change my mind, I’ll let the girl live.”

Relief washes over me like a tidal wave, but I’m confused by Vince’s lack of response. Lack of positive response, anyway. He’s still holding Mateo’s gaze, still not speaking, and there’s this bitter little smile on his face that I can’t figure out.

Mateo turns his back on Vince, addressing Adrian. “Do you have her phone?”

The other man nods. “I took it apart. It’s in Vince’s car.”

“Can you fix it?” he asks, following Adrian out of the study.

“Of course.”

As their voices fade with distance, I push myself up off the floor. My legs still feel a little weak, and my nerves are absolutely fried, but I’m alive and no longer in any danger. Vince still hasn’t moved. I’m a little disappointed he’s not happier that I’m not going to die.

“It’s good news,” I tell him, smiling tentatively. “He’s not going to hurt me.”

“He didn’t say that,” Vince says easily, speaking for the first time since we arrived here.

I frown, replaying the moment that just happened over again. “He said he wouldn’t kill me unless I gave him reason, which obviously I won’t. He said we could be together—he’s fine with it.”

Nodding again, with something that looks like a smile but isn’t, he corrects me. “He said as long as I want you, he’ll let you live. He just tied your life to our relationship, Mia. I’m 18, and I may as well have just married you.”

My stomach feels all weird at that, and not the good weird. I like Vince, I like Vince a lot, but I’ve known him for less than a month. “What?”

He shakes his head, still visibly aggravated, but he finally reaches out and pulls me in for a hug. “I’m sorry I got you mixed up in this shit. I knew better. This is my fault.”