Page 177 of Valentino

“Yes.”

“Did you know the person who was shot here tonight?”

I nod, my body now shut down and operating on autopilot. “Yes.”

Romeo’s words come back to me…. If you side with Carlo when you get interviewed tonight, I will kill you.

“We’re going to need you to accompany us down to the police station for questioning.”

“Yes.”

VALENTINO

The interrogation room is small and as I look around I come to realize out of all the times and all the things that I’ve done, never once have I seen the inside of this cell. Last week when I was here I was in another interview room, today it’s a full cell complete with double-sided mirrors. I look around to see a camera light is on up in the corner, great. I’m being recorded.

The door opens and a familiar face comes into view, Luca. “What the hell is going on here?” I growl.

“I’m not going to prison for you, so you need to sort your fucking shit,” he whispers angrily. “Why the fuck is Ferrara shooting up my streets? I cannot protect you now.”

“It was self-defense.”

He gives me a sarcastic huff. “You and I both know that that’s fucking bullshit.”

My jaw clenches as I stare at the wall.

“If Carlo dies, you’re going to prison for a very long time.” He drags his hands through his hair. “They found ten kilograms of blow in his car, by the way.”

“Get me the fuck out of here,” I spit.

“This is out of my jurisdiction now; I can turn a blind eye to your shit that goes on behind the scenes. But shooting up the fucking street for all the world to see. You’re on your own this time.”

He walks out the door and closes it behind him; I sit and stare at the wall.

Fuck.

Why didn’t I just shoot him in the fucking head, at least it would have been worth it.

The door opens and in walks a familiar face.

One that I hate the sight of. Mauro Sartori.

“Mr. Leone.” He smiles sarcastically as he sits in the chair opposite me. “We meet again.”

We glare at each other as animosity bounces between us.

I fucking hate this guy.

He takes out his pen and opens his notepad. “Before we begin I need you to know something. I will uncover the truth so don’t bother wasting my time. What happened tonight?”

“I was at a friend’s house.”

“Who is the friend?”

“You already know the answer.”

“Humor me as I go through the questions that I need to have on record. Whose house were you at tonight?”

“Anna Russo’s.”