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THE ENTIRE WEEK, I throw myself back into business. Fallon has no clue how foolish she is by not confiding in me. She’s putting the only person who could possibly help her in danger; what if the cops caught me following her? I can’t be associated with this case, or with any case for that matter. She’s off limits now; at least the investigation forces me to stay away. My life depends on it. My anger toward her prevails, and I’m starting to push her to the back of my mind. But as the days pass, I find that it’s easier said than done.

On Tuesday, I meet with my accountant to transfer money. Alex’s brother apparently shut down Charity Events, and I know Fallon must be looking for a new job.

On Wednesday, Adriano and I meet up in The Blackhall’s gym for a light workout since we’re both still experiencing minor pains from the explosion, and I share my concerns about the incident at the house.

“Adriano, you’re not going to like what I have to say, but hear me out, okay?”

He nods, full of curiosity.

“I remember Fallon saying that she and Cam escaped the house that night via the back entrance, which means they rounded the house and walked past the hedges.”

Adriano’s face falls when he realizes where my train of thought is leading.

“The explosion ignited precisely by those hedges, and now Cam’s suddenly missing, without a trace.”

“What exactly are you getting at, Luca? That Cam planted it?”

“Well, it wasn’t Fallon; I’m positive of that. Biagio was quite adamant that it wasn’t Leggia’s doing either. We have to look into this. It’s pretty suspicious that her phone is disconnected and she’s become untraceable right after she’s left our employment and a bomb exploded!”

“No, she’s terrified because we fired her after her botched escape attempt with Fallon, and that’s why she’s disappeared.” He plows his hand through his hair. “I’m still looking for Cam, but I’m getting dead ends everywhere.”

“While I initially also thought she left because of her fear, it is possible that we missed something. I, for one, haven’t been in control of all our dealings lately, if you haven’t noticed. These kinds of coincidences don’t just happen.”

“Where the hell would she get a bomb? Not at Walmart,” Adriano disputes.

“You have to stop seeing her as Cam and start accepting that it could be a possibility. It’s time I talk to Fallon because we’re in the dark here. We don’t know what they discussed together in the house, and since I’m not following Fallon anymore, I don’t know if she’s been in contact with Cam. But I had David trailing her, and I never ended his assignment. I’ll give him a picture of Cam so that he can keep an eye out for her, and I’ll check Fallon’s phone records and stop by to see her.” Although I’m not looking forward to speaking with her because I’m still filled with a dangerous mix of anger, hurt, unanswered passion and love for her.

“Are you sure? I could go,” he offers.

It would be wiser to have Adriano talk to Fallon, but I know her better. If she tries to deceive me, I’ll know, and I won’t let her play me for a fool again. “No, I will talk to her this weekend.” A huge part of me comes alive again with the prospect of seeing Fallon. The part I’m trying to suppress with all my power.

***

TWO DAYS LATER, I DECIDE to pay Collopy a visit. It’s time I take back the upper hand.

I watch her leave the precinct and get take-out at a Chinese restaurant on the way to her house. As Kelli Ann leaves the restaurant with her order, I wait for her outside.

“Isn’t this a nice surprise, DeMiliano,” she utters as she brushes past me.

I stay right behind her until she rounds the corner onto a less crowded street.

“What’s up, Luca?” she taunts without facing me.

“We need to talk.”

“Oh, so I have your attention, finally.” Kelli Ann stops and turns. Her eyes meet mine, and the corner of her lip twitches up.

Clasping my fingers around her arm, I steer us in the direction of the closest deserted alley. She gasps when I shove her against the wall, and an eager grin spreads across her face.

Calmly, I take her bag of food and set it on the ground, then I block her with both my arms and my body before she can reach for her gun under her blazer and say, “Alex Gentry?”

“I knew that case would interest you. Or better yet, the woman tied to that case. What’s her name again?”

She rubs herself against me, forcing me to step back quickly, but I keep my palms planted against the wall beside her ears.

“Why isn’t that case closed, Kelli Ann?” I demand in a low voice.

She straightens and moves in close to whisper in my ear, “Because you leave me no choice, Luca.”

What the fuck does that mean?

And she tries to kiss me, but I stop her by her shoulders. “What. Do. You. Want.”

“You. I can make the—”

“Did you write that note about her and plant it in Alex’s safe?”

“Her? Can’t you say her name? Who is Fallon Michaels to you?” she spits and continues in a vindictive tone when I remain quiet. “What, you think Alex wrote it? No, he wasn’t that smart. You need me to help you now. Usually it’s the other way around. I kind of dig it. I’ve been very lenient toward Miss Michaels, but I can make her an official suspect, DeMiliano.”

I’ve had enough of this woman, so I spin her around roughly, snatch her handgun from the holster underneath her blazer, and press her body between mine and the wall while pointing her piece at her temple. “Do not threaten Fallon.” With my free hand, I push the side of her face against the wall and slide my thumb down the butt of the gun while exhaling a ragged breath to control my rage. “You have one week to clean up your mess, Collopy, or I will end you.” Too bad it’s an idle threat since she’s law enforcement, which would stir up too much trouble. Trouble James won’t accept.

I push against her when she ignores me.

“Okay,” she mutters with a gasp.

Wiping my fingerprints from her handgun with my sleeve, I throw it next to her food and leave the alley to drive directly home.

By the time I arrive at my penthouse, I’m absolutely furious. I can’t believe I’m still doing damage control for Fallon; she should’ve told me about the investigation.

***

SATURDAY NIGHT ROLLS around quickly, and I find myself across the street from Fallon’s apartment in my car. I’ve been preparing myself to talk to her, and I hoped that I was ready to face her without needing an excessive amount of alcohol afterward to wipe her from my thoughts. However, I wasn’t ready to face what I’m witnessing now. She’s exquisite in a black lace dress as she emerges from her apartment. A few people moving past her check her out, and as always, she’s oblivious to their attention. But then a guy walks out behind her, also exiting her apartment.

My knuckles turn white from gripping the steering wheel while sweat moistens my palms.

He places his hand on the small of her back, and a red haze sweeps through my vision. I blink a few times to ensure my eyes aren’t deceiving me.

She’s on a fucking date!

I release my death grip and lean back, then I lean forward and rest my forehead on the steering wheel. The pure rage coursing through me practically incapacitates me. Rearing back again, I clutch my hair with one hand and watch her leave with another man.

Then I contact Adriano. “She’s on a date.”

“Oh shit,” he replies. “Where are you? Don’t follow them, Luca. Talk to her another time.”

“I don’t know if I can stop myself from going after them,” I say and throw the phone onto the passenger seat.

I cup my mouth harshly, brooding while stuck in this fucking car.