to make sure. So as far as I can see, your charges are circumstantial at best. In my opinion, they saw an opportunity to get to the Boss, trying to use you to find out information. Even if this sticks, you don’t have any priors.”
“There’s something you’re not telling me,” I say.
His eyes lift to meet mine. “Racketeering is serious. The RICO Act is no fucking joke, Mass. You’re looking at thirty years minimum if you’re tried and convicted.”
“Fuck,” I hiss.
He nods his head once. “Extortion is easier to get around. You could get off with paying some fines, or a couple of years in a federal penitentiary.”
“You telling me to make a deal?”
Salvatore shakes his head. “I’m not saying shit, yet. I’m explaining your charges. They’re going to come in here and talk with us again. You’ll be making an appearance in court within seventy-two hours, then you’ll be arraigned after that with official charges. Then we’ll go from there.”
Nodding my head, I inhale a deep breath. “You’ll go talk to Pippa, yeah? She doesn’t know where I am.”
Salvatore stands, dipping his chin, his eyes catch mine. “You’ll be okay, Massimo. I got you.”
“I know you do, cugino.”
He leaves the room but doesn’t leave the station yet. He’s there as the police take me out of the room, book me, and officially throw my ass in jail to wait to appear before the judge. This is fucking bullshit. I haven’t been arrested since I was a juvenile and got caught stealing cars.
Salvatore jerks his chin at me as I walk by. I don’t say a word, holding my head up high, I walk with my hands behind my back like a common fucking criminal. I know that I’m no saint. I know most of the shit that I do is illegal, but I also know that I’m not a bad person, not truly.
I don’t fuck with kids.
I don’t kill people just for shits and giggles.
Like most of the men in the famiglia, I’m a decent fucking human. People on the other side of the law just don’t understand that there needs to be all walks of life to make the world turn—including illegal avenues and resources that our famiglia provides.
PIPPA
Tonight, I decided on something a little sweeter. Last night was a success with my naughtier outfit. It seems Massimo likes whatever I wear, as long as it’s lingerie, to dinner. I don’t understand the obsession, but I’m more comfortable with it today than I was a few days ago, in fact, I kind of look forward to it now.
I sit at the table and wait for him. Tomorrow I’m going to go to the grocery store, get food for us, and attempt to make a meal. Massimo had quite a few groceries delivered, but there are some things that I need still. It’s not that I don’t know how to cook, I just haven’t done it often.
Pressing my lips together, I look at the clock on my phone and frown. It’s well past the time that he’s been coming home every night.
I debate sending him a text to ask him where he is. I don’t want him to think that I’m nagging or that I’m trying to control him. But I also need to know if he’s going to be coming home. Sitting here in this barely-there lingerie is kind of ridiculous if he’s going to be late.
Standing, I decide to grab a robe. It’s chilly and I can’t sit there and do nothing. Slipping my arms through the silk robe, I tie the waist tightly just as I hear the doorbell ring. I almost don’t realize what the noise is. Since I’ve lived here, we haven’t had a single visitor.
Looking down at myself, I shake my head. I’m sure that Massimo wouldn’t want me answering the door in a negligee, high heels, and robe, but I don’t have a choice right now.
Hurrying toward the door, my breath hitches at the sight of a suited man on the other side. He lifts his gaze as though he can see through the peephole and directly into my eyes. He’s wearing a suit made for his body, which means he’s most likely a Made Man.
“Pippa, it’s Salvatore. I’m Massimo’s attorney, I work for Gavino. Can you open up?” Biting the corner of my lip, my hand hovers above the deadbolt lock. “He’s in trouble, he sent me to talk to you. I’ve just left the police station.”
My hand immediately turns the