Page 88 of Lorenzo

…that means that Teddy’s life may be in danger too!

I text Lorenzo, asking where he is then dart into the shower.

Ten minutes later, I find Ciro and Gina in their usual positions in the kitchen.

“I saw what happened,” says Gina, coming up to me with concern in her eyes.

“I wanted to talk to you last night, but Lorenzo said you needed to sleep. He didn’t want you disturbed. Are you okay”

“Yes, but what about you,” I say, looking at the way she cradles her stomach. “Lorenzo said that you saw the whole thing on the video monitor. And then your doctor came to make sure you and the baby were okay.”

Gina forces a smile. “The doctor’s visit was just Dante being his overprotective self. Seeing you receive the entrails shook me up, I must say.”

“But how did you happen to see it?”

“I’d just passed by the monitor when I saw you opening the box. Then I heard you scream, then trip and fall backwards. Anyway, come sit and have your coffee.”

“I can’t sit,” I say, glancing at Ciro. “I need to find Lorenzo.”

“I’m right here,” says Lorenzo, hearing my request as he exits his library.

“Thank God!” I crash into his arms, feeling an overwhelming sense of warmth and safety as he embraces me.

“Lorenzo, I realized that if the Russians think they can threaten you by harming me, they can use Teddy in the same way. We have to make sure he’s safe.”

“Calm yourself,” he says in that steady voice of his. “That was my first move last night once I put you to bed. He has two of my best men guarding him night and day.”

“Thank you,” I say, giving him another hug and inhaling his tantalizing cedar cologne.

“But I don’t want the other kids to tease Teddy if they see two big goons following him around.”

“Don’t worry. My men are discreet. I have one dressed in the uniform of the school’s janitor. And the other is positioning himself as one of the gardeners. You can count on their discretion.”

“Thank you.”

I let out a breath of relief and look at Biscotti, who’s been at my feet trying to get my attention.

“You look like you can use a nice walk in Central Park,” I tell him.

Biscotti’s chocolate eyes light up at my words.

“Is it safe for Emily to walk him, Lorenzo?” Gina asks him.

“No! And that’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Emily. You’re not to leave this house without a bodyguard.”

“Bodyguard!”

“Yes,” he says. “I’ve arranged for Ernesto to guard you day and night.”

“My driver?”

“No. He was never ‘only’ your driver,” says Lorenzo. “Ernesto’s a trusted member of my team. Started with my father back in the day. Proved his loyalty over the years.”

Now it all makes sense. I always thought Ernesto to be a little too gruff to be a simple chauffeur.

“Okay. But Central Park is just across the street. Ernesto doesn’t need to accompany me, does he?”

“Yes. Ernesto absolutely needs to be with you every moment of the day,” says Lorenzo.