Chapter 1 - The Answer Nobody Asked For
The most dangerous woman in the garden wasn’t the one holding a hundred-pound dog.
She was the one explaining my injury before anyone asked.
“She twisted her ankle chasing Bruno this morning.”
Isabella said it lightly, standing beside her fiancé in a cream coat that probably cost more than my car.
I tightened my grip on the leash.
Because Bruno hadn’t run away.
And Isabella knew exactly why I could barely stand.
Luca Moretti looked from her to me.
Everyone in Chicago knew his name. Some knew his restaurants and construction companies. Others lowered their voices before mentioning the rest.
His gaze dropped to my left foot.
“You were chasing him?”
“Yes, sir.”
The lie tasted sour.
That morning, Bruno had carried Isabella’s silk scarf into the garden. I retrieved it near the greenhouse before he tore it.
I thought she would be grateful.
Instead, she blocked the path.
“He listens to you more than he listens to me.”
“He’s a dog,” I said, laughing nervously.
Her face hardened.
“Do you think that’s funny?”
“No. I didn’t—”
When I tried to move around her, she shoved me.
My foot caught the edge of the stone walkway.
My ankle rolled.
I hit the ground hard enough to scrape my palm.
Bruno stepped between us before I could stand.
Isabella looked down at me.
“You should watch where you’re going.”
Now, hours later, she watched me with the same expression.
Luca asked, “What time?”
My mind went blank.
“Around nine,” Isabella answered.
He turned.
“You were there?”
“I saw them from my window.”
Bruno growled.
A low, steady sound.
“Oh, stop that,” she snapped.
“Easy,” I whispered.
He settled against my good leg.
Luca noticed.
“Show me your ankle.”
“It’s fine.”
“Emma.”
I lifted my pant leg.
Purple bruising spread above the shoe that had become painfully tight.
Luca’s jaw shifted.
Isabella sighed.
“She probably landed wrong while running.”
“How do you know she was running?”
“I told you. I saw her.”
“From your window.”
“Yes.”
“You can’t see the greenhouse path from your window.”
Silence.
Rain began tapping against the leaves.
Luca looked at me again.
“Did Bruno run away?”
“No.”
The word escaped before fear could stop it.
Isabella’s eyes flashed.
Bruno moved directly between us.
Luca watched him, then looked at his fiancée.
“Why does my dog think Emma needs protecting from you?”
Nobody answered.
May you like
Then he asked the question I had spent all day trying to avoid.
“Emma. Did Isabella touch you this morning?”
