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“But that’s not the truth!”
He stared at me, searching my eyes. The doubt in his gaze gutted me.
“You have to believe me. That’s not what happened.”
“Then tell me what happened. All of it.”
I explained how I located my father’s phone and followed him to Giancarlo’s house. I told him everything that happened until the moment the police arrived and handcuffed me.
“I swear, Ryan. That’s the truth. I’m not lying.”
Ryan rubbed his face and stared up at the ceiling. “You know there are four witnesses that say otherwise and only your father to corroborate your story? I asked for your files, but they said they won’t give them to me. Only you can permit them to hand them over. Do you trust me with them?”
My past was so ugly. I didn’t want Ryan to see it. I was worried he wouldn’t understand and would judge me for it. But now, here I was. Sitting in a jail cell with a bruise on my jaw accused of armed robbery and facing serious time in prison.
What else did I have to lose?
Him.
I could lose Ryan.
“No.”
He scoffed and rolled his eyes. “I don’t understand, Laura. I’m trying to help you.”
“Why? Why do you want to help me?”
Maybe if he truly loved me, he could look past everything.
“Because…”
I waited.
“Because you don’t have anyone else. You need me, Laura.”
Not quite what I wanted to hear. Perhaps the exact opposite. That pissed me right off. “I see. So, you’re doing this out of pity? You will save me because you’re the only one who can. Well, fuck off, Ryan.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“I’ve been through a lot in my life. I’ve made it this far. I can take care of it myself. Thanks for coming by.”
He ran his hands through his hair. Then he turned toward me slamming his hands on his hips. His eyes pierced mine with an intensity that shook me. In a husky voice, he asked, “What do you want from me?”
Too much.
Not enough.
“I want you to leave.”
19
Ryan
How in the world did the roles reverse and she was kicking me out of her life? A hot red flush crept up my neck and face.
Did she even know who she was up against? I didn’t know much about Giancarlo Rossi, but there were rumors he was connected to the mob. Some even suggested he was the mafia boss himself.
No. I wasn’t leaving her to deal with Rossi on her own.
