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“That’s better, and I will, but not yet. Are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m definitely ready.”
He tapped out the number, and Lorenzo answered immediately.
“Nicholas!”
“Hello again, Mr. Albertini. I have Bianca here. I’m handing my phone over to her.”
* * *
Fighting back tears, and finding it unbelievable Nick had been able to reach her father, Bianca took the phone with shaking fingers. “Dad?”
“Bianca, sweetheart, it’s wonderful to hear your voice. Your mother is here next to me and she’s bursting to talk to you. Are you all right?”
“I’m absolutely fine thanks to Nick,” Bianca replied, her voice trembling as she tried to hold herself together. “Things were getting really bad when he rescued me. I don’t know what might have happened if he hadn’t.”
“I’ll be thanking God for his help every day for the rest of my life. Here’s your mother, she’s about to rip my arm off.”
“Bianca, talk to me,” Ariana said anxiously. “Tell me how you’re feeling, tell me no one hurt you.”
Hearing her mother’s choked words, Bianca could no longer contain her tears. “No one hurt me, Mom, not really. I’m okay.”
“I’ve been losing my mind with worry. Your father and I both have. How did you manage to get away? I know Nick Vincelli was involved, but how did you two meet? I’m sorry, I have so many questions, but they can wait. All that matters is you’re safe, and you’ll be home as soon as your father thinks you’re out of danger. He wants to talk to you again. He has news about your kidnappers. I’m handing it back to him.”
“He does?” Bianca exclaimed, darting her eyes across to Nick.
“Hey, honey, your mother is right, but I’m afraid you won’t like it.”
“Can I put you on speaker so Nick can listen?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
“I’m here, Mr. Albertini,” Nick said, as Bianca touched the speaker icon.
“Bianca, I’m sorry to tell you this,” Lorenzo continued solemnly, “but it appears your friend Sammy Parker was involved.”
“Sammy? No, Dad, that’s ridiculous.”
“He was seen in the vicinity, and he’s probably in debt again. It won’t take long to track him down. You know how small this town is, and I can assure you, if he was involved, or if he knows anything, he’ll tell me.”
“Please don’t hurt him,” she pleaded. “He’s my friend.”
“Friends don’t kidnap each other,” Lorenzo declared, “but I will give him a fair hearing. In the meantime, you take care of yourself. Nick? Are you still there?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Make sure she stays safe.”
“Of course, sir.”
“Thank you, again, Nick, for everything,” Ariana interjected.
“No thanks necessary. I was just in the right place at the right time.”
“Bye, Mom, I love you,” Bianca said earnestly “Bye, Dad, and go easy on Sammy. I know he’s not involved.”
“I heard you the first time, sweetheart. We’ll talk again very soon.”
