cry. I already feel like such a bastard.” He gazed at me for the longest time, and then whispered my name, “Olivia—”
A loud knock on the door interrupted the moment, and Henry called out from the other side.
“Come in,” Alessandro said in a not so pleasant tone that turned into a blunt reprimand when Henry opened the door. “What do you want?”
“Sir, the police are here and they wish to speak to Miss Olivia,” Henry informed, and I instinctively sat up.
“The police?” Alessandro asked in surprise.
“Detective Reeds and his young colleague,” he explained.
“And they haven't asked about me?”
“No. They only asked for your wife.”
Alessandro's eyes turned distant. “You can tell them she's coming.”
Henry nodded and left us alone.
Inhaling a shaky breath, I hugged my knees and stilled.
Alessandro turned toward me, his eyes narrowed in confusion. “What is the matter, Olivia?” he asked, surprised to see me upset.
“Nothing,” I lied. “I just don't like talking to those detectives. They make me feel uncomfortable.”
“Cristo, cara,” he uttered. “There is nothing to fear. I'm sure they just want to ask you a couple of standard questions. Don't worry. I'll be right by your side.”
“Okay,” I said meekly.
Alessandro brushed his fingers along my hair. “Why don't you go get dressed and come back here so we can meet them together?”
“That's a good idea,” I replied, unable to hide my relief at not having to face them on my own. Never in a million years would I have guessed that I’d desire Alessandro's company at a time like this, but if there was one person who wasn't scared of the police, it was him. The voice of caution in my head taunted me with the possibility I might regret his presence should they ask any questions that might catch me off guard and make me nervous. Still, something told me I shouldn't meet them alone.
Following Alessandro's instructions, I took my time to get ready, then returned to his room. He was dressed in an immaculate black suit, and that unusual frailty I had witnessed in him this morning disappeared as if it had never been there in the first place. Self-esteem oozed off him in intoxicating waves, and his every movement seemed to be driven by a conscious mixture of beauty and intelligence.
He smiled a wide smile that only added to his deadly confidence as he led me downstairs to meet the two detectives who requested my sole presence. Already from the hallway, I heard their voices, and concluded their conversation had nothing to do with the accident. It was about something trivial.
The aroma of fresh coffee infiltrated my nostrils. From the corner of my eye, I discerned the familiar contours of the two men and their basic black suits. They sat at the dining table, and rustled through newspapers. When I walked in, both of them startled and shot out of their seats. The scraping of chairs across the floor echoed around the room.
“Good morning, Mrs. Damiani,” Reeds greeted in a serious manner, and his eyes froze on Alessandro who strolled in behind me. “Ah, I’m glad you could join us Mr. Damiani. It's good to see you’ve recovered.” His voice turned much more pleasant. “We’re sorry to bother you so early in the morning.”
“To what do we owe your visit?” Alessandro demanded, placing his hand on my shoulder.
Reeds’ eyes lingered for a few moments and then he cleared his throat. “I’m happy to inform you that we have made some progress in the investigation of your accident,” he revealed. “There have been some new developments in the case. We would like to have a word with Mrs. Damiani, if that is okay.”
Alessandro shrugged. “Go ahead.”
Detective Reeds’ features settled into an apologetic expression. “You see, we were hoping to conduct the conversation in private.”
“I'm staying,” Alessandro asserted calmly.
“I meant at the station,” Reeds clarified.
I visibly paled and took a step back toward Alessandro, as if searching for his protection which was ridiculous.
Alessandro gave me a knowing look. “You want to go to the station, cara?” he asked softly.
I shook my head even though I had no other choice but to go with them.
“It’s not a matter of preference,” MacFayden interjected. “Given the new evidence, conducting a conversation with your wife is crucial for the investigation.”
Alessandro sneered at the young detective. “And what exactly is this new evidence?”
MacFayden started talking, but Reeds stopped him. “I'm afraid we cannot disclose that information,” he said quickly.
“If it’s something that concerns me, don't you think I have the