The Rocchetti Queen - Bree Porter Page 0,23
him up?”
“Definitely not,” Alessandro said curtly. “Go wait in the study.”
Following Gabriel were the rest of Alessandro’s soldati. Sergio, in all his enforcer glory, Nero, the dark assassino, and Beppe, the bastard Rocchetti who was Nicoletta’s favorite. Pasquale Schiavone, Anthony Jr Scaletta and Pietro Tarantino were also in attendance. They shot curious looks our way before disappearing into Alessandro’s office.
Alessandro pressed his forehead against mine, breathing deeply. “You’re not going to abandon me to those feral men, are you?”
“What sort of wife would I be if I did that?” I asked, still concerned about the exhaustion in his eyes. Perhaps I could move the meeting along quickly. “I can go and get Dante if you want to see him.”
“Later,” he murmured, brushing a hand down my hair. “When the riffraff is gone.”
I couldn’t help my smile.
All the men had made themselves comfortable in Alessandro’s office, leaning against walls, sprawling over the furniture and even taking up some space on the floor. Alessandro sat down at his desk with me leaning against him, supported by his heavy arm around my waist.
Gabriel had his phone out, showing a familiar clip to the men in the room.
I hadn’t seen the clip yet, but Aisling had called me afterward, both praising me and offering me sympathy.
“When politicians act this way, they believe they are above the law,” came my voice from the screen. “Just days after the death of my grandfather-in-law and the birth of my firstborn, I am away from home, out in the cold, and trying to prove my innocence for a crime that hasn’t even occurred. As a woman who grew up in this city and calls it home, I am very upset to no longer feel proud of the people representing us.”
As soon as I paused, reporters began calling my name.
“Mrs Rocchetti, Mrs Rocchetti! Why do you think Salisbury lost the election?”
“Well, I am no politician, so it would be arrogant of me to say I understand positive public opinion—or lack thereof.” The reporters laughed. “But I know Bill is a beloved member of his community, and even without the official title, he will continue to support his city. As we all should.”
More voices piled up, yelling out to me. Someone asked, “Why do you think the FBI are targeting your family?”
“Horrible rumors follow us everywhere. I have made peace with this and only pray it does not affect my son’s life. However, it does make a person wonder why the FBI are so caught up on tales when there are much realer issues out there—I suppose we all like fairy tales, no?”
“How is Rocchetti Alzheimer’s Support?”
That had been the question I had been waiting for and my voice rang out clearly, “The nonprofit charity has experienced so much support from the community—to which I am eternally grateful. This month, we are hosting a charity ball in order to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research. We have one of the best labs in the States, and I am beyond excited to be a part of their miraculous work and to help make the lives of thousands easier.”
Before any more questions could be asked, I said, “Thank you all so much for your time—I know there are a lot more interesting people to speak to! I have to go home to my baby but thank you again for your time.”
The interview ended, and the television hosts voices rang out in the office. “A touching interview with Sophia Rocchetti, CEO of Rocchetti Alzheimer’s Support and part of the Rocchetti family. Can you believe she had a baby over two weeks ago and is having to deal with another SWAT raid that led to nothing? As a mother myself, I really feel for her.”
Gabriel paused the video, his eyes sparkling. He held up his phone so I could see, revealing the image of me talking to the reporters. I was tucked under Del Gatto’s blazer, hair unbounded and face drawn, but I kept my head up and spoke well, so I couldn’t find it in myself to be embarrassed.
Alessandro squeezed my hip. “Perhaps you should replace Ericson as mayor.”
“I do sound like a politician, don’t I?” I mused, pushing back some strands from his hair.
“Just like one,” Nero sniped.
I flickered my gaze to him, but it was Alessandro’s warning expression that made him quieten himself. Ophelia hadn’t mentioned him again after the first night, but from the way Nero’s eyes roamed over Nicoletta’s old room and Don Piero’s house, I knew Nero hadn’t stopped