Page 4 of Tortured Hearts (Marchesi Empire #2)

“Not selling me out would’ve been a good start.”

“All I did was explain the situation and your and Dr. Brennan’s unorthodox relationship.”

I stiffen. “You did what ?”

He swings a shaking finger at my chest. “My job is to protect you, not lie for you. I’ll risk a lot of things for the people in my custody, but my badge isn’t one of them.”

This isn’t like when Henry and I were called downtown for reports of gunfire at the docks.

That was the gross incompetence of two Irish idiots.

This was a real fire. Real arson. Real attempted murder.

A page right out of the Marchesi playbook.

I don’t need George Reese to railroad me this time.

I tied myself to the tracks all on my own.

It doesn’t matter what version of me they’re looking for.

The Providence PD will do a deep dive into my past, and the thin shell around Gianni Marchesi will crack.

Uncrossing my arms, I flick out my index finger and calmly knock his away. “Aren’t you going to ask me if I had a hand in it?”

“You’re a diabolical son of a bitch, but even you can’t be in two places at once,” he mumbles, resuming his pace.

“Careful, Henry. I think you’re starting to like me.”

His response is a wide flare of his nostrils. “I said I believe you aren’t responsible for the fire, not that you don’t know who is.”

“I don’t like what you’re implying, Starling.”

“It’s Saddler, and I don’t give a shit what you like.

This isn’t about you.” He nods behind me at Becca.

“It’s about the innocent woman who almost died tonight.

Gianni, you forced me to follow those firetrucks at gunpoint and ran into a burning building, knowing exactly where to find the victim.

Even you have to admit those are damning actions. ”

“You think I don’t know that?” I yell, because fuck him.

“Do you?” The way he cocks his chin makes me want to knock it sideways. “A man with his freedom on the line doesn’t risk it to play hero. So you want to tell me what the hell’s going on?”

What I want is for him to shut up and stay in his lane.

“I can’t deal with this shit right now.”

“You’re going to have to.” At my scowl, he exhales roughly and drags his hand down his face.

“The Providence PD is the least of your problems. I found this beside the storm drain.” He reaches in his jacket, then flips a small white card between his fingers.

It’s battered and water-damaged, but there’s no mistaking what it is…

The ace of spades.

The ultimate fuck you.

When I take the card and read the word scrawled across the front, my world ignites.

Infame.

Traitor.

I was right. The fire was no accident. It was an invisible message on walls no one will ever see, and a curse on the ground marked by one name.

Torch.

Henry clears his throat. “I take it you know what this means?”

It means my father has drawn a line in the sand I’m about to obliterate.

I lower my gaze to Becca. “Considering the heavy security around here, I’m assuming someone called her father.”

“As soon as dispatch got the call, a car was sent to his house.”

I dip my chin, both grateful and pissed.

Despite being a duplicitous and manipulative bastard who mind fucked his daughter, I don’t think Reese is a danger to her.

In fact, I believe in his own warped way, all the deranged shit he did was to protect her.

It backfired spectacularly, but it was still a commendable effort.

That’s why I know she’ll be safe with him.

He’ll ride in on his painted white horse and pick up the pieces I broke.

I turn to Henry, my hand outstretched. “Give me my keys.”

“What? Are you crazy?”

For the second time, I pull my gun and aim it at his face. “I think we’ve already established that. Now give me the fucking keys.”

“You won’t pull the trigger, not here. There are too many witnesses.”

A slow, sadistic smile pulls at the corner of my mouth. “Are you sure about that? You’ve listened to those missing audio tapes. We both know what I’m capable of.”

His demeanor shifts. I’m not surprised. Reminding a man confined by morality that you piss on its very existence always tips the scales. There’s a slight tremble in his hand as he hands me the keys. “This is suicide, Gianni.”

“Then you should be happy. A dual homicide officially ends your assignment.”

He doesn’t respond, which is just as well because I’m no longer listening. My attention is on the only innocent person in this shit storm. I lower my gun, three silent steps bringing me to Becca’s bedside.

There’s so much I want to say, but I won’t bring down walls just to drag her into more darkness. So I hover like the vulture I am, spilling truth I know she can’t hear. “They’ll burn for what they did to you, cara mia . Scusami se sono così.”

“I’ll have to report you as a fugitive,” Henry announces, his nasally voice shattering the moment.

“You do what you have to do.” Straightening my spine, I turn to walk out the door when a weak voice from behind stops me mid-stride.

“Who’s the frantic butterfly, now?”