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“Hey, I do cunning and sometimes brazen, but I don’t do crazy.”
“It sounds impossible.”
“I’m sure it does, but I know my business and how to manage risk. Finish your toast, drink your coffee, and I’ll tell you how this is going to work.”
“Okay, and for the record, I do trust you. I mean, how could I not? You saved me.”
“If you do what I say, you’ll come out of this in one piece,” he said confidently. “When Cindy arrives, I’ll leave you here with her. I have no doubt Matteus believes I whisked you away, and when I show up, he won’t know what to think. If he asks why I’m there, and I’m sure he will, I’ll tell him the same story I told the Marshalls, my house was damaged—but I’ll also tell him my fiancée will be joining me. One of my men will pick you up in a town car. When you arrive you’ll be dressed in fabulous clothes and have a large suitcase. Remember, by then your hair will be short and blonde, not long and dark. As long as you wear sunglasses when you’re outside, Matteus will never imagine in a million years it’s you. Oh, and Cindy is also going to take care of your nails.”
“Yeah, they are pretty crappy,” Bianca remarked, looking down at her fingertips. “I bite them when I get worried, and I’ve been worried a lot lately.”
“By the time she’s finished, they’ll be long, sleek, and polished. Matt’s a detective, he’s trained to notice things like that.”
“It sounds like it will work, but I’m still not sure.”
“I haven’t finished,” Nick said with a smile. “I own some pretty sophisticated equipment, and we’ll be listening to everything going on in that house. It won’t take long to find out what he’s up to. If he has any suspicions about my gorgeous blonde fiancée, we’ll know that too.”
“Wow, that’s brilliant,” Bianca exclaimed, “but what about your house? When no one shows up to repair the damage, that will be weird.”
“Ah, but there will be workmen there, two of my best agents,” Nick replied, grinning at her. “If we need them, they’ll come running. I can assure you, Bianca, not only will you be safe, you’ll find out if Matteus is working alone or for someone else.”
“Nick, this is incredible—you’reincredible. I must have had an angel on my shoulder when I came out of the water yesterday.”
Nick shot her a reassuring wink, but there was more she didn’t know about him, much more. He needed to tell her, but it would have to wait. It would be a bombshell, and she was still fragile.
CHAPTER7
Bianca was munching quietly on the last piece of toast and Nick had just finished washing the dishes when the house phone rang. Quickly walking across the kitchen and lifting the receiver, he found it was Cindy waiting by the callbox at the gates. He buzzed her in, then left to open the front door.
“Hi, Cindy, you made good time,” he said as she walked in carrying a large tote bag.
“Bianca Albertini,” she whispered. “I can’t believe it. Are you sure you want to get involved?”
“I already am.”
“I guess you are,” she muttered under her breath as they started down the hall.
“Hey, Cindy,” he murmured, pausing his step, “if you’re worried you can—”
“I know what you’re going to say,” she interrupted, “and the answer is I’m not going anywhere. Just please be extra careful with this one.”
“You bet I will,” he replied solemnly. “Come and meet Bianca. You’ll like her.”
She nodded, but made no comment.
She didn’t have to.
He knew what she was thinking.
He was a sucker for damsels in distress.
Though he hated to admit it, she was right.
“Bianca, this is Cindy, my assistant,” he announced as they entered the kitchen. “Cindy, meet Bianca Albertini.”
“Hi, Bianca,” Cindy said with a warm smile. “It’s good to meet you. I’m just sorry it has to be in these circumstances.”
“Thanks, it’s good to meet you too.”
