Page 180 of Valentino

“Yes.” I nod, my mind begins to spiral, she’s taping it so that she has physical proof I’m lying.

Am I going to prison too?

“Before we get started, would you like a cup of tea or coffee, perhaps some water?”

“Um.” I glance around, almost in a trancelike state. My mind is completely overwhelmed and feels like it’s shutting down. “Perhaps a glass of water…please.”

“Sure.” She goes to the door and pokes her head around. “Can we get some water and two cups of coffee please?”

She returns moments later with a tray; there’s a jug of water and two glasses and a jug of coffee and two cups. She pours me a water and then a coffee and sets them both in front of me.

“You’ve had a rough night.” She gives me a weak smile.

I nod. “Yes.”

“I don’t envy what you’ve gone through.”

My eyes well with tears, please don’t be nice to me.

“Would you like some cream with your coffee?”

I nod, my body running on complete autopilot now.

“You’re safe now, Anna,” she tells me as she creams my coffee. “It’s okay. You’re safe and anything you tell me tonight will not be released to the public, you have my word, alright?”

With a shaky hand I pick up my coffee cup and take a sip. “Okay.”

“Tell me.” Her eyes hold mine. “What happened tonight?”

“Umm.” I blink as I try to make my mouth work. “I umm…I was asleep and I heard a commotion out in the street.”

She listens intently.

“And I….” I pause as an image of all the blood flashes before me.

“It’s okay, take your time.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, why is my brain in slow motion?

“So you and Valentino were in bed and then what?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“No?”

“I was alone.”

“Valentino wasn’t with you?”

“No.”

“Where was he?”

“I’m assuming sleeping in the spare room.”

“Okay.” She writes down a time and circles it. “Tell me about your relationship with Valentino Leone.”

He doesn’t want me.