CHAPTER 677. RED PROMISE. A SecretThe detective was sure he wasn’t that lucky, but the fact remained—he couldn’t afford to let even the smallest clue or opportunity slip away.“Well, I’m no saint, but while I can’t give you the confession you’re hoping for, I might be able to shed some light on your murder case,” Ainara replied. Mauro shook his head, visibly worried.“Babe, this isn’t a good idea. Please.”“It’s okay, sweetheart,” she smiled at him, trying to reassure him. “There’s nothing to worry about. You need to understand—Lugh had nothing on me. No matter what he said, he had absolutely nothing. I’ve never stolen anything in my life, I haven’t committed any crimes, I wasn’t a stripper or a prostitute, and I never got involved in the shady business surrounding campaigns. I’ve always stayed away from all of that. So whatever he may have claimed, I promise you, he had nothing to use against me for blackmail.”“Blackmail?” The detective pulled out the chair in front of them and ges
CHAPTER 678. RED PROMISE. StrategyMauro could swear he was about to swallow his tongue from the shock, and the detective sitting across from them wasn’t faring much better. He knew Ainara was a strong and shrewd woman, but he also believed she was perfectly capable of carrying out her threat—and he knew she’d do it to get him out of jail.“Mrs. Keller, you can’t…” the detective began, but she cut him off with a sarcastic smile.“Please. Freedom of speech was enshrined in this country’s Constitution long ago, so don’t bother telling me what I can or can’t do. Senator Rosso is a suspect, and…”“But he’s not the only one,” Mauro interjected quietly. Ainara looked at him. No, he wasn’t the only one, and maybe that was the real problem. Any one of their enemies was powerful enough in politics to make the police hesitate to go after them.“Can we speak privately?” she asked the detective. She squeezed Mauro’s hand gently, knowing he’d protest. But with or without his objections, she left t
CHAPTER 679. RED PROMISE. Someone ElseThe face of Senator Rosso visibly contorted. His surprise lasted only a fraction of a second, just enough for Ainara to realize that part of what she had said was new to him—either Lugh’s death or her accusation."Dead? What do you mean Lugh is dead?!" he snapped, raising his voice, unconcerned about shouting in the middle of the empty, early-morning venue."Dead. Murdered!" Ainara replied with determination."No... That can't be...""Well, it is, exactly as you heard. I just saw the photos, and believe me, they're not pretty. And I can’t think of anyone else who’d want to kill him. Let’s be honest—you were the only one he was blackmailing."Senator Rosso took two steps back, his expression helpless, but Ainara seemed unwilling to give him any ground."Shut up! Don’t say that, not even—""Why not?! You don’t have to pretend in front of me, Father!" she spat sarcastically. "You don’t care about anything except your precious career and your fake sp
CHAPTER 680. RED PROMISE. A FamilyHer heart pounded in her chest like a massive cathedral bell as she uttered the words:"I’ll give you what you want. I’ll give you June... but first, meet with me."She wasn’t even sure if the person behind Lugh’s death was using that phone, if it was who she imagined, or if they’d even answer her. But she had a feeling, that sixth sense that made her take last-minute decisions.She felt the door beside her open and saw Jhon quietly climb into the passenger seat, while one of his men sat in the back with a small laptop. They were all focused on the response, holding their breath.For a long moment, there was a sepulchral silence, then a woman’s voice came through the line:"Why?""Why what?" Ainara replied."Why would you give me your daughter?" repeated the voice, and Ainara knew it was time to gamble everything."Sorry, I think I’m not speaking to the right person," she said firmly, hanging up the call just two seconds before it was returned."You
CHAPTER 681. RED PROMISE. A DoubtNo one could argue with the determination of a Keller when the love of their life was in danger, and it didn’t take a genius to see that Ainara was the love of his life.The detective took a deep breath, trying to calm his anxiety, but eventually motioned for everyone to leave and pointed toward his office. Ainara, Mauro, Loan, Jhon, and the two officers most trusted with the case followed him inside."If we’re going to do this, there are two things you need to know," the detective began. "First, I can’t risk a child’s life to catch a murderer. And second, if you’re going to walk into the jaws of that particular wolf..." He hesitated. "Honestly, I’m not sure we can protect you the way we should. I mean, if these people killed our victim—the way they killed him...""They were looking for something important, detective," Mauro sighed. "Something that could put what they want right into their hands.""The question is why," the detective pressed."I suppo
CHAPTER 682. RED PROMISE. A SignalKhloe Nikaz’s face was like a horror story, and Ainara was sure she had just struck a deep nerve. The question was legitimate—it made no sense that Khloe would be the mastermind behind all of this, especially when Ainara knew very well that Weber had grown tired of cheating on her."Don’t say a word!" the senator growled at his wife, but it was obvious she didn’t respect him enough to keep her mouth shut."And why not?" Mauro growled as he stepped closer. "My wife is right. Besides, we know June’s biological mother wasn’t the only one he cheated on you with. Why the hell do you want his daughter?""Khloe!" Weber snarled, but his wife glared at him with fury."What?! Are you ashamed to say it now?" she hissed angrily. It was clear her obsession with the girl had long surpassed any love she might have had for her husband. "Can’t you admit out loud that I can’t have children?"Mauro and Ainara exchanged a look that lasted an eternity, but they didn’t ne
CHAPTER 683. RED PROMISE. A PromiseAinara felt her heart stop as she heard that growl. Over Mauro’s shoulder, she could see the scene unfolding so quickly it was terrifying. All she saw was Senator Weber falling like a sack of meat, his head pierced by the second bullet from the police. The first, however, hadn’t come from any of their guns.In front of her, Khloe was screaming at the top of her lungs, trying to reach the gun that had fallen from her dead husband’s hand. Luckily, the officers were restraining and cuffing her before she could grab it.Ainara’s eyes filled with tears as Mauro held her tightly, and she felt a hot wetness against her side.“This can’t be happening… this can’t be happening…” she murmured on the verge of a sob. When she opened her mouth again, it was to cry out for help. She didn’t even need to look to know Mauro was bleeding.“Jhooooon! Jhon! Help!” she shouted as she felt him stumble against her. One of the officers turned just in time to catch him befor
CHAPTER 684. RED PROMISE. This Isn’t Over“What did you saaaaay?!” Mauro’s face was shocked as the room erupted with voices scolding Jhon.“How could you say that to him?!”“Can’t you see you might give him a heart attack, and then it really won’t work anymore?”“Don’t scare my husband like that!”Amid the scolding, Mauro let out a sigh and smiled because Ainara calling him “her husband” was the sexiest damn thing anyone had ever said to him.“Calm down, love. You just need therapy to walk properly, that’s all…” Ainara murmured, leaning in to give him a gentle kiss. Jhon patted Mauro’s shoulder.“Exactly, physical therapy. Otherwise, you’ll be making your next kids to the rhythm of ‘La Cucaracha,’” he teased. “♫♪ La cucaracha… ♫♪ One, two, three… because I’m hobbling… ♫♪”“Jhon!”“Well, well, my mission here is complete,” Jhon said with a grin. “And don’t give me grief. This kid interrupted way too many of my attempts to make babies with Chiara with his ‘Uncle, let’s go to hockey.’ So