Page 33 of Corso DeLuca

Her eyes dart around the room, looking for something solid to hold onto. Greg’s secret, the one that put him in the grave has the power to extinguish the fire that burns for me in Jessie’s heart. The thought of life without her rises like thick bile in my throat. This could get nasty, but I have to believe my special agent will see what lies beyond love’s blinders for her sibling.

“Did my mother work for Mattia Esposito? Is that why she was killed?”

“No.” She releases an audible sigh, but her relief is premature. “Your mother died trying to save your sister.”

Hope blossoms in her eyes. “Are you saying what I think you are… Josie is alive.”

My heart breaks for her as I utter the words that will shatter her world more than being mine.

“Josie NuCalla is Mattia Esposito’s mistress and money handler.”

“How dare you accuse my sister of working with that piece of shit Mattia Esposito.”

“Think about it, princess. You said she’s the best at accounting. That she wanted a way out of the life she was born into.”

“No!” she screams. “She wouldn’t let him do that to Mom… to me. We are good people.”

I try not to let the knife cut me deep, but fail. Of course, no one in her family could be bad like DeLucas, like me.

“She cleans his money through that cryptocurrency company you and Gregorio visited the night Teal ambushed you.”

“Teal?”

I nod, the plot falling into place as I align the clues Greg left with what I know of the Espositos.

“Another FBI agent, especially a seasoned task force member, would know about the anonymous tip. Hell, he probably made it to lure you two there. You have to consider your sister disappeared by choice.”

“There has to be another explanation,” she sobs.

Retching, harsh sounds claw their way up from her chest. Shit, I feel powerless to stop her pain. All I can do is stay buy her side, support her through it.

“Because to accept that Josie has been alive for sixteen years without contacting you once would make her evil, right?”

“I told you, you’re wrong. My sister wouldn’t use what our mother taught us to build a criminal empire with Mattia. She wouldn’t kill my partner. She wouldn’t let some thug shoot me.”

I reach for her, but she snatches away from me. “Jessie.”

“These are Gregorio’s messages. To us. To you,” I implore her to understand Greg was her protection. Whether she wanted it or not, I will continue to keep her safe. “He died searching for the truth. I don’t want to hurt you, princess.”

“Too late. I should’ve never come to you,” she sobs before turning to walk away.

I grab Josie’s arm, spinning her to face me. “Hate me if you want, but don’t fucking walk away until you at least consider that I’m right about this.”

“How can I, Corso?” There’s an earnest need in her voice for an answer other than what’s unfolding since deciphering Greg’s coded messages.

“Okay, okay,” I acquiesce. “Let’s take Josie out of the equation.” Her back straightens. She won’t look at me, but at least she’s listening. “The mastermind isolated you with Greg. He’s hit more than once, but you’re unscathed. Then here at The Governor. Once again, the first shot takes down Teal, but your wound is non-lethal. That’s twice you’ve been spared.”

I hear her sharp intake of air.

“You think someone is protecting me?”

“And at the same time, make me suffer. At first, I thought you were the scapegoat.” Shutting my eyes, I rebel against the full truth. “Gregorio was murdered for being my blood.”

“No.” She chuffs. “He’s dead because of me.”

The sound is wooden, stiff, and loaded with pain. Devastation reigns in her once warm brown eyes.

“My sister used what our mom taught us to help Mattia Esposito. Who would’ve thought I could hate myself more than I once hated you?”