I returned to my desk with renewed focus, pulling a legal pad toward me. If Lord would be out of town next week, I needed to prepare. I began making notes about what I needed to retrieve from his house. I had to get my clothes, jewelry, personal documents, and a few mementos I’d brought from Chicago that still mattered to me. All the furniture and décor I bought for the house, he could keep.
It would be a clean break. I’d get my things and sever the last connection between us. Then what would be next? Would I continue this dangerous affair with Maurizio? Would I leave Vegas altogether and try to rebuild my life somewhere new? Should I return to Chicago with my tail between my legs?
I didn’t have answers yet, but for the first time in two weeks, I felt like I could breathe. Lord’s silence had been a gift. It confirmed what I’d suspected but was afraid to face. What we’d had was over long before I walked out the door.
My phone buzzed, and my heart leaped into my throat. I snatched it up, both hoping for and dreading Lord’s name on the screen. But it was only a text from Maurizio.
ZIO
Just checking in. How’s your day going?
Such a normal message. So considerate. I typed a quick reply.
ME
Fine. Busy with cases.
I hesitated, then added.
ME
We need to talk later.
The three dots appeared immediately, showing Maurizio was typing a response. They disappeared, then reappeared, as if he were carefully considering his words.
ZIO
That sounds ominous. Everything ok?
I stared at the message, unsure how to respond. Was everything okay? Nicco knew about us. Lord knew about us. I’d just received what amounted to a death threat, however politely delivered. “Okay” was not the word I would use.
ME
Not really. But nothing that can’t wait until tonight.
I set the phone down and returned to my list, adding items methodically, trying to focus on practical matters.
Maurizio texted back a simple.
ZIO
I’ll see you later.
I couldn’t deny that the friendship I had with Maurizio morphed into something I couldn’t quite name. It wasn’t love. It was comfort, understanding, a genuine connection that had been missing from my relationship with Lord for longer than I wanted to admit.
I pulled another file toward me, determined to get through at least one more case before the end of the day. I had clients depending on me, work that needed my attention. I couldn’tafford to spend the afternoon dwelling on my complicated personal life.
On the pad beside me, my neat list of items to retrieve from Lord’s house stared back at me. I appeared composed, focused, a professional woman handling a personal problem with efficiency and grace. But my hand trembled slightly as I wrote. I couldn’t believe I let that man break my heart.
Chapter Five
MAURIZIO
Ichecked the pasta sauce one more time. Stirring it gently while my mind fixated on Labria’s text from earlier. We need to talk later. For simple words that knotted my stomach. I’d prepared her favorite, linguine with clams in white wine sauce. I hoped good food might soften whatever bad news she was bringing home.
The rich scent of garlic and herbs filled my kitchen but did nothing to calm my nerves. I shouldn’t be this anxious. I’d killed, tortured and maimed men without an afterthought, but Labria had me questioning every move I’d made thus far. Something must’ve happened at work. Something serious enough that she couldn’t say it over text. I poured two glasses of Pinot Grigio and tried to convince myself it wasn’t about Lordes.
The sound of a car door slamming outside pulled me from my intrusive thoughts. I wiped my hands on a kitchen towel and moved to the front window, watching as Labria walked up the path to my door. Even after a long day, she moved with elegance and grace. Her beige suit was impeccable, but her face was stern and tense. I rushed to open the front door before she could use her key.
