Page 47 of My Favorite Kidnapper

“I know.”

“Get back at me and spend a lot of money,” I replied. “Get some more of those sexy overalls you wear. They drive me crazy.”

She scoffed. “That’s a pretty short drive.”

I was laughing as I left.

* * *

I sorted through what needed to be done at the gallery quickly. It was a small space, selling mid-level pieces. Not the larger, more elite galleries I had in other locations. But it was a great cover for living so close, and I liked being able to employ the locals. I handed my manager some paperwork on acquisitions coming in and checked on the new inventory. There were a couple of nice paintings and one particularly fine piece of sculpture I’d located from an estate sale. They would fetch a good price and look appealing in the gallery for a while.

I spoke to some clients via phone and sent some emails, then strolled back to the shop. I’d been gone a little longer than I expected, and I wondered how much money Brianna had spent.

Except when I arrived, Simona informed me Brianna had only stayed for a short time and bought hardly anything. “A swimsuit and a cover-up. That was all.”

“What about the dress?”

“She tried it and one other on, and they look beautiful on her, but she said no. She said no to everything, and she left.”

I was confused. “The shoe store?”

“She left alone, Dante. She insisted she was fine. She paid cash for her purchase.”

“I’ll be back soon,” I promised. Outside, I glanced up and down the street. I hadn’t seen her walking this way, and the other direction led to the less populated business section. And the area the bus went. Confusion gave way to anger.

She had played me. She had cash and a credit card. I’d been gone long enough to give her time. A bus went through here every day, heading to Naples. I racked my brain, trying to recall if I had her passport or she did.

She was running.

Fury beat through me. She was like every other woman out there. I had fallen for her seeming capitulation. She had no plans to stay. She had used the goddamn phone I gave her last night and looked up the information she needed. Planned all this out.

Disappointment hit me like a tidal wave. I was sure she was different. Honest.

But she was…

My thoughts ended as if I had slammed on the brakes, and my mind came to a jarring halt.

Sitting at a table in the shade, at the small café we’d been to yesterday, was Brianna. The chair beside her held a few small bags. A latte was in front of her.

She was here. She hadn’t run. Relief tore through me. The disappointment vanished.

But she wasn’t alone. Standing to one side was the police officer from the other day and seated next to her was Ramon Winters. A former client, an undeclared enemy, and the man I loathed over all others.

Sitting beside my little bee.

At first glance, they seemed to be simply chatting, but as I drew closer, I saw the tight set of Brianna’s shoulders. The tension around her mouth. Her sunglasses covered her eyes, but I knew even without seeing them, they would be upset.

“Amore,” I called out.

Her head turned quickly, and she stood. “Darling!” she replied. “I have been waiting forever!” she scolded.

Her words and the effusive way she flung her arms around my neck surprised me, but I caught on quickly, dropping a kiss to her neck, then her mouth as she eased back. “You left me alone so long, I was famished.”

I chuckled and kissed her again, knowing we had a rapt audience. “I was caught up in paperwork, my love.” I lifted her hand to my mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Forgive me.” Then I glanced up. “But you have such charming company.”

Officer Rossi smiled at me. “I saw your little prisoner sitting here and came to check on her. I thought perhaps she had run to Mr. Winters for help. Maybe you had angered her again.”

Winters frowned, glancing between us. “Prisoner?”