think he was crazy in love with you, Olivia. It's almost like he's obsessed with keeping you safe. I told him I didn't want to see you hurt and he said that meant we were on the same page.”
Crazy in love...I had to stop myself from snorting with bitter irony. Alessandro was definitely crazy, but he was incapable of love. I had learned that lesson the hard way. “He knows about the baby,” I revealed.
Broderick narrowed his eyes at me in surprise. “Did you tell him?”
“No, of course not.” I rejected the very idea. “He figured it out himself. I threw up in front of him about a hundred times. Only a fool wouldn't put two and two together.”
“What did he say?”
“Nothing much.” I took in a deep breath. “He wanted to know if the baby was his.”
Broderick hands smacked the table lightly. He must have realized where this could lead. “He thinks you’re cheating on him?”
“I don't know,” I said honestly.
“Did you tell him the baby was his?” he asked, and I nodded. “Did he believe you?”
“I'm not sure. He did apologize for doubting me,” I admitted, biting my lower lip. “He has also seen the scars on my back.”
“Does he know?” he probed softly.
I shook my head. “He doesn't, but I can tell he won't let it rest. I'm scared he might go to Lorenzo for answers.”
“Fuck!” he exclaimed quietly. “I wish there was something I could do, Olivia.”
“There is nothing you can do,” I reassured him, and then made myself cut to the chase. “Broderick, I think we might be in serious trouble.”
“What happened?” he asked, alerted.
“Those two detectives were here today,” I muttered. “They said they found new evidence and wanted to take me to the station for questioning, but Alessandro made them leave because they didn't have a warrant.”
Broderick paled and his eyes widened. “Olivia, you have to deny everything. If that is what it takes, I will bite the bullet and take the full blame.”
“Broderick, I can't let you do that,” I said in a small voice. “I can't let you ruin your life for trying to help me.”
He released a harsh breath. “We'll worry about that when and if the time comes, Olivia. No matter what happens, we have to stay calm. Stress is your worst enemy. Don't show them you're frightened.”
I gasped a smile. “I'm afraid it's too late for that, Broderick. I almost fainted in front of them this morning. Alessandro blamed it on my pregnancy, but I felt Detective Reeds didn't buy it.” I sighed and gazed straight into his eyes. “Broderick, I think they know.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
The Present
Broderick insisted there was a less sinister reason behind the detectives' visit, but my instincts told me exactly the opposite. I sensed they suspected I had something to do with Alessandro's accident. The harsh way in which Reeds addressed me made it clear they hadn't come to ask a few innocent questions. There was something more sinister happening in the background, but I had no way of discerning how much they knew or what they discovered had happened that day when Alessandro almost lost his life. It was a guessing game of cat and mouse, and the thought of all the possible outcomes drove me insane.
It was late when Alessandro entered the bedroom. Adamant to avoid the conversation he mentioned earlier, I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. He didn't disturb me, but went straight for the shower. In a short while, he emerged into the room and the mattress dipped under his weight as he joined me in bed. I didn't need to peek to know he wore nothing but his boxers. That was how he always slept. The spicy scent of his cologne mixed in the air invaded my senses. It reminded me of all those times he woke me up in the middle of the night for sex, only to abandon me once it was over. Suddenly, he shuffled closer until his naked chest connected with my back. When his hand closed around my hip and he slowly turned me toward him, feigning sleep became impossible. I opened my eyes in alarm.
“Alessandro, what are you doing?” I demanded harshly, trying to hide the uneasiness his near nakedness made me feel.
“It's okay, cara. I only want to hold you,” he whispered as I tensed in his arms. “You don't need to worry. I won't try to force intimacy, I promise.”