33. She Brought it on Herself

Luca's POV

The room was silent, apart from the soft ticking of the antique clock on the shelf. I sat behind the desk in my study, my eyes fixed on the two men sitting across from me.

They were federal agents, nice suits but straight eyes. And beside them, Alex stood near the bookshelf. I could tell he was curious but was also trying to act calm.

"Who is he?" one of them asked, nodding at Alex.

"Oh, this is Alex,” I said firmly. "He's like a son to me. I'd appreciate it if he could stay if that's okay with you."

The two men exchanged glances, then nodded.

"That's fine," the one on the left said. He had dark hair and a serious expression. 

The other one had a smoother face but didn’t look any less dangerous. The one asking the questions introduced himself as Marcus.

"We’re here to ask about Alexa Romano," Marcus said, flipping open a small notebook.

"You knew her well?"

I gave a slow nod. "She was my lover. We were together for a long while."

"And how long exactly is 'a while'?"

"Many years I'd say," I said. “We've known each other since childhood.” My fingers tapped gently on the table, trying to keep my thoughts clear. 

I wasn’t sure how much to say, how much to hold back. It wasn’t like I had killed her—but still, the thought of her being gone brought a pressure to my chest.

"And then what happened, she just left you?"

I nodded again. "Yes. No warning. No note. She just... left."

"Do you know why?"

"No," I said simply. And that was the truth. She never gave me a reason. She just disappeared like she had never existed. I still remember waking up and finding her side of the bed cold. Her things gone. Like a ghost had taken her.

Marcus paused, then looked down at his notes. "How did you feel about that? Her leaving?"

"Confused. Angry. Sad," I admitted. "I wanted answers. But I never got them."

"What did you do after she left?"

"I searched," I said, leaning forward. "I made calls, reached out to old contacts. But no one knew anything. Eventually, I let it go."

A lie. I never let it go. I held onto that pain like a burn scarred into my skin.

Marcus looked at me carefully. "Did you know she's dead?"

I didn't flinch. "Yes."

"How?"

"A friend of mine in London told me. I had just gotten back from seeing him."

"And what was going on in London that required your attention?"

I kept my voice even. "I used the opportunity to visit my friend. He's a well-connected businessman. I asked if he knew anything about what happened to Alexa. He said she was found dead. Somewhere... not clear. But the police had the body."

"Is that all he told you?"

"Yes."

"How did he know about it?"

"Like I said, he's well connected. He has friends in the police. He knew I used to be close to her and figured he might want to tell me."

Marcus's lips pressed together. He looked at his partner, then back at me. "We have reason to believe Alexa was murdered."

Something in me stilled. My jaw clenched. "What?"

"She was sexually assaulted. Repeatedly," Marcus said. "And then overdosed."

My stomach turned. My chest burned.

"Did you know her to take drugs?" the other man asked.

I shook my head. "No. She didn't use. At least, not when she was with me."

“All those years you were together?”

“Yes.”

Marcus closed his notebook. "Well… that's all we have for now, Mr De Rossi. We'll be in touch."

I nodded. "I'll be available. Whatever you need."

He pulled out a card and held it out.

"If you hear anything, or remember anything that might help, please, do not hesitate call me."

Alex stepped forward and took the card. He didn’t say a word, just gave a small nod. Then he walked them to the door.

I stayed behind.

I listened to their footsteps fade down the hall. The front door opened. Closed. Silence.

Then something in me snapped.

I stood up and slammed my hand against the table. The vase shook. Papers scattered. Then I threw the lamp across the room. It hit the wall and shattered. I kicked the chair over. My chest was heaving, my mind racing.

Again the realisation hit. Alexa. Dead.

And that bastard Alejandro is still alive. I could see his twisted smile now. His sick games.

I leaned over the desk, gripping the edge hard enough that my knuckles went white.

"Why didn’t you just stay?" I muttered. "I could have protected you."

But no. She left. She didn’t say why. She didn’t trust me enough. Whatever reason she had, she kept it to herself.

And now she was gone. For good.

I remembered my promise.

I can't do anything to Alejandro, at least for now.

But he was going to pay.

Nonetheless, Alexa brought this on herself, I told myself. She left me. Chose to face whatever she was going through on her own instead of letting me help.

But the pain didn’t go away.

I sat back down, my chest still burning as I stared at the mess I had made.

The room was quiet again. But my mind wasn’t.