Shadow Warrior (Shadow Riders 4)

“That’s a good thing, Vittorio, because the killer left behind a photograph of you. He dropped it right in the middle of what was left of Ale Sarto’s chest.”

Grace gasped, a sound much like a hurt animal might make escaping. Vittorio stood up and when he did, Ricco did as well. Every bodyguard was already on their feet.

“That was unnecessary,” Vittorio said, “and just lost you all cooperation. You can talk through Vinci. We’d like you to leave now. This conversation is over.”

Art hesitated, but Vittorio refused to look away. It was a bullshit move and the detective knew it. Jason went through the door first and Art followed him, leaving him with a very distraught Grace.CHAPTER FIVEThis conversation is over.”

Vittorio had said it decisively, in that same low tone, but it carried command, so much so that the detectives had left, and Grace didn’t dare bring the subject up. His lawyer had followed the police detectives out and the next thing she knew, the surgeon, Dr. Arnold, signed her release papers and talked with Vittorio about her care. Then she was wheeled out, surrounded by the Ferraro family and bodyguards. She heard cameras flashing and people calling out as they made their way to the waiting car, but in the middle of the moving group, protected from everything, she didn’t see much.

Grace looked over at Vittorio. She sat right where he’d put her, on the cool leather seat of a very expensive car and somehow, she’d just let him take her over. She knew exactly what that photograph pinned to a dead man’s chest meant—it was a warning to her.

“Mr. Ferraro.” She started with his name. She had to take charge of her life. Her mind still felt a little woozy, and her shoulder hurt beyond anything she’d ever felt before. The way they had immobilized her shoulder and arm made her feel awkward and clunky, almost frozen and unable to move, making it difficult to think properly. “We have to discuss what I’m going to do.” She poured firmness into her tone, even though it was an effort and she would have preferred to let herself float away. “And we have to talk about Haydon and what that photograph means.”

Grace forced herself to look up at him. Meeting his eyes was a mistake and she knew it the moment she looked into that deep indigo blue. Liquid heat, so that she fell in and drowned there. There was no saving herself. He smiled, his lips curving, revealing his perfect white teeth. That focus, making her feel as if she were the only woman in the entire world, was heady, especially when she looked a complete mess. For a moment her mind went blank and she could only stare at him.

Where was her sharp intellect? She relied on her brain. She could think fast and was good at details. When Vittorio was around, the only details she could remember were how his smile was so beautiful and how the sound of his voice was so gentle and yet compelling. She was going to have to take charge of her life and that meant getting her brain going from meltdown to working. She dreaded having to be in charge again. She would much prefer lying on cool sheets, closing her eyes and willing the pain in her shoulder to let up even if it was for just a few minutes.

“What is it, bella?”

His voice had a way of whispering over her like a caress. She wrapped herself in the sound of it and forced herself to do the right thing even though it would have been so much easier to let someone care for her.

“Haydon threatened you.”

“Yes, he did.” He smiled down at her. “We expected that. Maybe not this soon, but you did say he doesn’t like anyone close to you. Our engagement has been big news. The uproar hasn’t settled down these last two weeks, mostly because my beautiful fiancée is in the hospital. I imagine with me staying right by your side, he’s not so happy.”

“Please take him seriously.”

“Why would you think that I don’t?”

“You’re smiling at me.” He had a gorgeous smile and it was distracting, even in the face of trying to warn him about Haydon. What was even more distracting was the way his fingers were once again closed around hers and that thumb of his was sliding over her inner wrist, wreaking havoc with her ability to think clearly.

“It’s nearly impossible to look at you and not smile, Grace.”

She sighed and tried to sit up straighter although she didn’t pull her hand away as she should have. The instant she did, pain sliced through her body, radiating outward from her shoulder. She gave a sharp gasp and froze.

At once his eyes darkened and every hint of his white teeth disappeared. “Didn’t you hear the doctor say you couldn’t make any sudden movements? He wants you as still as possible for the next week.”