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“And it will at home, behind our iron gates, where I can protect you. Both of you.” His phone rang, and he held out a hand. Niccola handed it to him.
“Morning, Mama.” He grinned as he sat in Elio’s spot. “Congratulations!”
“So, you all know already?” I laughed.
“Yes, we literally woke to the news and then were told we were cutting the trip short.” He poured some espresso.
“I can’t believe he’d cut the trip sh—”
“Sienna,” he shifted over a chair, so his back was turned to Elio, and leaned in, “last night, our own nonna tried to kill you. We had no idea she was even here. Somehow, she and Abramo slipped by us and lured you out alone on a rooftop, in the middle of a storm, no less. No one would ever have known what happened to you. I’ve seen Elio through some really dark stuff, but I never want to see him the way he was last night ever again. He’s not just worried about you, he’s worried about the baby now too. Every leg of this trip, something’s happened. I don’t blame him for going home. He needs you where he has control of the surroundings. Give him this one, please.”
I studied Elio for a few minutes and watched him as he spoke on the phone. He wouldn’t sit, and as he kept moving, the staff were hustling around trying to avoid him. He seemed relatively calm, but I knew his signs, and I could see he was stressed by the clenching and unclenching of his fists.
“All right,” I nodded, looking back at Niccola, “I hear what you’re saying.”
“Good.” He let out relieved breath. “I thought we might have to tie you up and toss you in the car.”
“No.” I pushed the fruit away, only to have Elio lean over and slide it back in front of me a few seconds later. He pointed at me to eat it, and I rolled my eyes. “I’m not the one who should be tied up.” I sighed.
“Come on, you.” Wyatt appeared and tugged my arm to stand. “I’m gonna help you pack because you went and got pregnant,” he joked, kissing my cheek.
“Wait.” I tugged on his arm. “What did you tell Elio last night that you couldn’t say in front of the others?”
His gaze went to the floor, but he slowly reached out over and rolled up his sleeve to show me his bandage. “You don’t need any more stress in your life, but I didn’t fall by accident. Oscar pushed me when I was on the roof, but thankfully there was a small ledge that stopped my fall.”
“What?” I couldn’t believe what I heard.
“I never liked the guy, and now with Elenora gone, I think he’s about to snap. I mean, the guy has literally nothing left.”
“Where is he now?”
“He’s gone. Elio said he’d deal with it.”
“I’m sorry, Wy. I wished you’d told me. You know I can handle a lot.”
He looked over my head and rolled his eyes. “You can, but you have a lot going on, and I didn’t need to add to it.”
“Hey!” Elio called and handed me the bowl of fruit. “You can choose to eat it, or I’ll feed it to you, but either way, you’re eating this.”
“It is wrong that I’m turned on right now?” Wyatt whispered.
“Yes,” Elio and Niccola answered at the same time, making us laugh.
“Yes, my love, I’ll eat the fruit.” I took the bowl and headed up the stairs to get packed.
Wyatt chuckled behind me. “These next nine months are gonna be so much fun.”
I leaned on the windowsill and watched Gain and Harris as they piled the luggage into the cars to prepare for our departure. My mind spun with all the horrible possibilities that could have happened to Sienna last night. My gut told me not to leave her alone in the room that night, but so many things needed my attention I’d ignored my own instincts. I wouldn’t make that mistake ever again. My need to protect her, especially now that she carried our child, was becoming all-consuming, and I knew I wasn’t always being rational, but I couldn’t seem to fight it.
“Whatever you need me to put into place back home, just tell me.” Niccola sat forward in his chair, and I knew he felt the same way as I did. Our family was too exposed here. We needed to leave, but we needed to up the protection at home as well.
“I want more soldiers. Triple the count we have now.”
“All right.” He nodded, and I knew from his look he expected more.
“All cars coming and going from the property are to be searched, scanned for explosives, with thorough ID checks. That goes without saying. Also, Sienna isn’t to leave the property without you, Francesco, Vinni, or me. No exceptions.”
“Understood.”
