Page 2 of My Sweetest Obsession

Stone was known for arresting over a dozen men in a drug bust a year ago. His team seized pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. The street value was estimated at over half a million dollars. And I didn’t trust him.

“What do you want, Detective?” I asked, a warning laced within my words.

Stone cleared his throat. “I just want to ask you a few questions about what occurred here.”

“You can only ask three questions. I suggest you make them worth it,” I said cooly.

Stone’s jaw clenched, annoyance flickering across his face, but he quickly masked it. “Can I sit down?”

“No. You’re fine where you are.”

He nodded once, pulling out his pad and pen. He gave his pen a sharp click and began to ask his first question. “Let’s start with the obvious, Nico. What happened here?”

“A drunk driver. By the time I made it to the point of damage, they were no longer on the property,” I replied, feigning indifference.

“A drunk driver crashed into your front door and got away?” he echoed. “I find that hard to believe with all the guards you have stationed around the area.”

“It was their day off. They do have families, Detective.”

Stone's eye twitched involuntarily. “Fine. Did you have a problem with anyone recently? Any enemies?”

“No.” My reply was curt. He knew exactly who I was, the enemies I had circling like vultures. The fucker was trying to goad me.

“I noticed bullet holes in your house and broken windows. Based on the wreckage, it seems someone was inside shooting,” he pressed, his eyes narrowing.

“Detective,” I warned, “is there a question buried in that accusation? Remember, you only have one left.”

Stone straightened. “Who was in the house at the time of the shooting?”

“Me and my men.”

He turned to Lo and Luca, his gaze piercing. “Did you see anything?”

“No. I was taking a shit,” Luca replied.

I smirked.

“I was with Nico in his office, going over business matters,” Lo added.

Stone’s dark expression told me he wasn’t buying our bullshit. He shook his head. “Look. I’m just trying to figure out what happened here so I can arrest the people responsible.”

“I appreciate you stopping by, but I can handle my own shit,” I said.

Stone met my gaze with unwavering intensity. “That may be so, but I think you’re hiding more than you’re letting on. I know who you are, Mr. Moretti.”

“Everyone does,” Luca scoffed. “It would be hard not to since he owns several condos in the stateanda nightclub that’s very well known. The people in the community regularly see him at several charity events he attends.”

Stone’s eyes shifted between us. “I noticed blood on your stairwell when I walked in. Where did that come from?” he asked.

My expression hardened. “You used up your questions, Stone. I have nothing else to say. My men will escort you out.”

“Fine. If that’s how you want to play it,” he said, tucking his pen and pad away with a resigned sigh. “Here’s my card.” He held it out, and Luca snatched it from him. “If you have any other information, call me.”

I offered him a two-finger salute, masking my irritation.

With that, Stone turned on his heel and exited.

Luca tossed the card in the trash.