Code of Silence Read Free Page A

twenty-four hours, more or less,” Benito said. “Depends on when the meds wear off on your auntie.”
    She gaped. “You can’t be serious.”
    He stepped one foot out of the vehicle. “And if you feel tempted to call the police, we have people ready at a moment’s notice to make sure your aunt never opens her eyes again.”
    â€œI’m telling you my aunt is no threat to you!”
    He shrugged, unfazed. “We’d also need to alert someone to the fact the sizable anonymous donation your little foundation accepted last week came from a lawyer known to have ties with the Mirabella family. You may not know it now, but your grandfather and great-uncle made our name quite famous.” He winked, left the car, straightened his jacket and bent down slightly. “We’ll be in touch in twenty-four hours. Goodbye, Gabriella.”
    The man in the back stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. She flinched and pressed herself against the window. He laughed and joined his boss in the sedan.
    Her bones ached as if they’d been filled with cement. How could this be happening? The black sedan squeezed past her car and continued around the circular drive, past the lake. It disappeared behind the willow trees on its way back to the gate. A second later, a navy Dodge Ram pulled up behind her. At the sign of the shined wingtips, Gabriella shoved the car door open. “Luke, get down.”
    His eyes widened, but he hunched over and looked around.
    â€œStay there.” Gabriella watched out the side window as she saw glimpses through the foliage of the black sedan nearing the gate. If they spotted Luke, there was no telling what they would do, and she didn’t want to find out.
    The sedan didn’t seem to slow down, and since the house wasn’t visible from the road, maybe they were in the clear. She held her breath a moment longer until the vehicle disappeared from sight.
    She exhaled and dropped her head. What was she going to do?
    â€œAre you okay?” Luke bent down to look into her eyes.
    Gabriella brushed the escaping tear away with the heel of her hand. “Relatively speaking.”
    His eyes narrowed. “Who was in the black sedan?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œDid he threaten you?” His right hand rested on her shoulder. “Gabriella, what happened? You’re shaking and pale.”
    She tried to force a smile. It was imperative he think things were normal so she could convince him to leave. “Thanks for the compliment.” The attempted joke fell flat, though, as her voice shook.
    He narrowed his eyes. “Did someone hurt you?”
    Gabriella looked forward and focused on the trees swaying in the breeze, but it only served to remind her of the ticking clock. Twenty-four hours left until they killed her great-aunt, and she had no idea where to begin.
    Who could she call? The police? The FBI? Absolutely not. Her mother and aunt had told her a thousand times that for every ten good officers, a crooked one took a deal. And Benito’s offhanded comments seemed to corroborate the sentiment.
    She moved to get out of the car. Luke stood to make room for her. He held out a hand to help her.
    Normally, she’d wave it away, but as heavy as her bones felt, she accepted. The strength in his grip as he gently pulled her to standing bolstered her determination. She would not let those men hurt her great-aunt Freddie—the woman had been like a second mother to her.
    â€œLuke, it’s not a good time to look at the property after all. I’m sorry I wasted your time. I’ll call you to reschedule?”
    Luke didn’t flinch, and his hand didn’t move from her wrist. “This isn’t business. I’m here as a friend. My receptionist said you were arguing with that man before you left, and the black sedan followed you. What happened?”
    The question caused her stomach to lurch as she remembered Benito’s