I need him to believe me.
“I’m sorry. It’s been a long night, and the chief of police is on my back to get this handled fast. A fucking bomb in Vita, Jamila. This can’t go unpunished.”
“And it won’t. I have every faith in you, Alex. But you also need to investigate my friend’s murder, because he didn’t deserve to die for nothing.”
He didn’t deserve to die at all.
Alex’s hand cups my cheek, but I have no desire to lean into his touch. His thumb sweeps over my cheekbone, leaving a trail of revulsion along my skin.
“He won’t, I give you my word. And for the record, I believe you didn’t have anything to do with the bombing.”
Thank the fucking Lord.
“Very well.” I rise to my feet and hold out my hand to him. “I’m going to be there when you speak with Raphael.”
“I’ll make the call.”
The drive to the mayor’s mansion is quiet until Alex ventures, “It’ll be much easier once we’re married and you live with me. No more back and forth.”
It’s enough for me to gag on my own vomit.
“That’s one way to look at it,” I force myself to say.
Raphael’s car is already parked in the drive when we arrive, and Alex feels the need to take my hand in his as we walk inside.
“Mayor Salvatore, please explain why you’ve summoned me here so early when I’ve had the night from hell?”
Raphael turns from staring into the fireplace and freezes for the briefest moment. If I had blinked, I would’ve missed it. Quickly getting over his surprise, he focuses on Alexander.
I tug my hand from his and settle down on the small velvet couch.
“You’re here because I want to hear you say you remember Jamila and her men taking a vow of peace.”
Raphael’s eyes pinch as they bore into Alexander. “I’m not suffering from amnesia, Mayor. I remember.”
“Then why would you go after and kill Michael Romano?”
Again, his reaction is of shock, only for a split second, before returning to stone.
“I had nothing to do with his death.”
“And yet he’s dead, and a church on what you claim as your side of the city is a heap of smouldering ash.”
“I’ve already told you, I had nothing to do with his death. Why don’t we talk about a fucking bombing in my church? I don’t see you questioning your fiancée,” he spits out.
“Oh, he’s questioned me, but I had nothing to hide.”
And for once, it’s the truth. Raphael’s neck nearly snaps, he looks at me so fast.
“You didn’t blow up my church, and I didn’t have Michael Romano killed, so I guess it’s settled,” he seethes.
The doorbell rings, and moments later, Alexander’s butler announces the chief of police is waiting for him in the foyer.
“I swear to the Lord, if either of you kill each other while I’m out of the room, I’ll bring hell down on both your families.”
Rolling my eyes behind his back on his way out, I rise from the chair and walk over to the window.
“No matter what we’ve been through, you should’ve known I’d never attack a church to get to you. Killing Michael is something I’m not going to let slide. Be warned, Raphael. By the end of the day, you will feel what I’m feeling, and I won’t hide behind a bomb.”
Taking slow strides around the furniture, his frame towers over me, but I don’t cower before him.
“You’re always vowing to kill me, yet I’m standing right here, still breathing.”
“Oh, I will kill you, but not today. Tell me, does Cristian still visit the whore on Bartlet Street around midnight?”
Fire burns in his eyes and his nostrils flare. I know his cousin visits the whore, and so does he.
“I can get to anyone around you at any time, Raphael. The same goes for you.”
“Then why haven’t you?”
I’m saved from having to answer when Alexander walks back into the room with the chief of police on his heels. Raphael moves away and braces his shoulders as the chief locks eyes with him.
“I’m glad you’re both here, it’ll save me time. Neither of you will admit to being involved, and I’m tired of fighting against a wall of silence. So I’m here to tell you that you will pay for the damage caused.”
Confusion sets in, and I step close to Alexander.
“If I had anything to do with the church bombing, I wouldn’t be here, Chief. You saw my men lay down their arms. Michael was interviewing for a job at the mayor’s office