*Michael*They left me in an interrogation room for hours without explaining why I was there. All I could do was pace back and forth, waiting until they decided to come and question me. Finally, the door opened, and two officers walked in.“Can someone please explain why I’m here?” I asked, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice. “Please take a seat, Mr. Astor,” an officer with dark red hair told me.“I will not take a seat until someone explains to me why I’m here. I was arrested at my home in the middle of the night, and I was barely told anything on the way here. Then I was left in this room for hours. Is this some kind of sick joke to you people?” I snapped.“If you would take a seat, we can start asking you some questions. The more cooperative you are with this interrogation, the better things will be for you in the long run. Now, I will ask you one more time. Please take a seat, Mr. Astor,” the officer said again.I ran my hand through my ver

*Shelby*“Who are you planning on going to talk to?” Bruce asked.“I want to go talk to Marmie. I need to find out what she knows. It’s possible that Lauren was in on the blackmail, and if she was, that means Marmie could have been too,” I said.I purposely left out the fact that I knew for certain that Lauren was stupid enough to fall for Blaine’s lies and was one hundred percent in on the blackmail schemes over the last month.“It’s unlikely that Marmie will even talk to you,” he said, staring at me as though I was a wild animal released from its cage.“Well, I have to try. I have to try and do something. If I sit here for another minute, I’m going to go crazy. Please take me there, Bruce. I know that you must know where she lives,” I pleaded.“I do know where she lives, and I’ll take you there on two conditions,” Bruce said.“What are your conditions?” I asked.“First, I refuse to leave you there alone. I’ll be waiting downstairs in the lobby

*Shelby*“Bruce, will you please just tell me where we’re going?” I asked as he turned down another seemingly unmarked street.“We’re going to meet with Leon Carmine. The Carmine family boss,” Bruce finally said.“Why?” I asked, concerned but hoping that they could somehow help Michael. I mentally kicked myself for not thinking of reaching out to Giani earlier. “Leon told me they have some evidence that could make or break Michael’s case. He wouldn’t tell me over the phone. He said he didn’t want it to fall into the wrong hands, so we have to come to get it in person,” Bruce explained.“We? Does that mean I get to come to the meeting with you?” I asked, hoping he wouldn’t tell me it was too dangerous.“I’m going to leave that up to you. I’d normally ask Michael before dragging you into this, but I can’t exactly call him right now. Since you are his fiancee, I’ll leave that decision with you,” Bruce explained.“If it’ll help prove Michael’s innocence,

*Shelby***Six weeks later**The last day of classes never felt better. I was completely exhausted from the semester and the new added stress of my internship. However, I loved being able to spend weekends with Michael. Most weeknights I had to stay up late, getting in as much homework and studying in as I possibly could so I could fully enjoy the weekend nights with Michael.We’d made a big effort to enjoy each other's company as much as possible since Michael’s name was cleared of the murder charges. It made us realize just how important the time we spent together really was because we could never be sure how long we had left together. I walked home from class excited that I’d be seeing him the next day. We had plans to go on a spring break vacation, although he wouldn’t tell me where. I planned on going home and spending a few hours relaxing in front of the television before packing and going to bed.“Lin?” I called into the house, but she didn’t answer.

*Shelby*The first night in the castle felt like a dream. Michael hired a private chef to stay at the guest house on the property and cook every meal for us. We dined in the formal dining room, which had a large set of french doors opening onto the large courtyard pool.We talked, laughed, and drank the local wine until the late hours of the night. The master bedroom was located directly above the dining room with a private balcony overlooking the pool and beyond to the acres and acres of a well-tended garden. We left the large windows open as we slept, letting in the cool breeze and the earthy smell of the vineyard. I spent a leisurely morning in the old clawfoot tub, which sat right below one of the open windows. I watched the wind blow through the trees as I soaked in the warm water.Breakfast was an extravagant affair. The personal chef made an amazing three-course meal, and when we were finished eating I felt as though I may not be able to get out of my chair