The Italian

“Are you okay?” He frowns as he holds me at arm’s length.

“I can’t believe this,” I whisper.

“My God, we need to talk. I have so much to tell you.” I fall into the seat opposite him at the interview desk.

“We’ve just had a call from the Carabinieri with strict instructions on what I am to say to you.” “What?”

“Apparently they are working undercover to try and bring you down. They sent in a young Australian woman as a mole to befriend your fiancée.”

I frown and drop my head. Jennifer.

I knew it.

“There’s nothing to get me on. I’m completely clean now. You know that.”

“Why the hell would you have cocaine delivered to your yacht in Monte Carlo?” He shakes his head in disgust. “You’re getting sloppy, Enrico.”

“What?” I snap in confusion. “I haven’t had cocaine delivered to my yacht.”

“They watched Sergio meet with the dealer last week, and then they saw it arrive by ship at your yacht. They know.”

I sit back, shocked. Fucking Sergio.

“Sergio must have gone rogue.” I drag my head down my face. “What are they going to do?”

“They are sitting and waiting for you to move it.” I close my eyes as horror dawns on me. “It’s not mine.”

“Sergio’s dead, Enrico. Who do you think they are going to blame?”

“Fuck.” I put my head into my hands. “How long until they move in?”

“I don’t know, but I can’t contact you. I think your phones are bugged. Has this woman had access to your fiancée’s phone?”

I stare at him as I think. “Maybe.”

Fuck… I warned Olivia. Time and time again, I warned her.

“I have to do the formal interview now.” He gestures to the tape recorder. “You good?”

“Thank you for the warning.” I shake his hand.

He turns the tape recorder on. “Mr. Ferrara, I’m Chief Inspector Paella. I’ll be interviewing you today.”

“Hello,” I reply flatly, my mind anywhere but on this interview.

“What happened today, sir?”

“I’m not sure.” I get a vision of Sophia on the hard, cold concrete.

Sophia.

* * *

I walk through the front door of our Milan apartment just after 8:00 p.m.

It’s been a long, horrendous day—one that I never want to repeat.

“Hi.” Olivia smiles as she rushes to greet me. “Are you okay?”