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Chapter Thirty-Nine
Bash hung over the back of Morgan’s seat as she stopped in front of the ivy-covered iron gate at the entrance to Gia Fontana’s home. He didn’t want to miss a thing. He caught the deep sigh of relief escape Morgan’s lungs. It had been a long journey, and she had shouldered the burden. Although Max and he had offered to try their inexperienced hands, she insisted they couldn’t afford the loss of time. They knew she was correct.
The anticipation of meeting his grandmother was mounting. His thoughts drifted to the past. He remembered the sadness he had felt as a kid listening to his friends talk about holidays and Birthdays spent with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. His holidays had always been Gray, their moms, and him. And even though their moms provided plenty of surprises and fanfare, it never stopped him from wondering how things might have been with a dad.
“Do you know the code?” Morgan asked Max. Before he could answer, a tall, middle-aged man with close-cut blond hair, wearing a charcoal gray suit, appeared inside the gate. Bash assumed it was Sam Barnett. Seconds later, two additional suited men stood behind him. Holding up a remote control, the first man opened the gate. A few seconds later, there was a sharp knock on the door.
“Mr. Bartoli, it’s Sam Barnett,” the man in the gray suit called, holding up a pictured ID.
Bash reviewed it, opened the door, and extended his hand.
Sam stepped inside, motioning for his team to wait. Bash made the introductions.
“I wanted to make sure you were all okay and didn’t need any special assistance before we go inside,” Sam said.
“I think we are all good,” Max confirmed. “Why don’t you ride with us to the house.”
Sam nodded.
It was a short ride to a circular driveway in front of a beautiful white Victorian three-story home with turrets, a tower, and a veranda that spanned three sides. It was nestled in the woods. The only patch of grass in the front was within the circular drive.
Sam stepped out first, introduced two of his men, and then led the weary travelers into the house. “There are four more men stationed in various locations around the property. They are all either former FBI, military police, or special forces. Your mother is in good hands.”
“I appreciate the care you’ve taken to protect her,” Max said. “I’ve booked Mamma a flight to Ft. Lauderdale to spend a couple of weeks with an old friend. As soon as we pick up the package at the post office, I would appreciate it if a couple of your guys could escort her to the airport in Portland.”
“That’s not a problem,” Sam confirmed.
They stepped into a spacious foyer with an open ceiling that gave a clear view into the top of the main tower, with glass windows surrounding the top. The foyer had off-white walls with ornate walnut trim, dark hardwood floors, and a staircase that made two turns before it reached the second floor. A huge living room was on one side of the foyer, and a formal dining room on the other.
Bash watched Morgan with amusement. She appeared to be in awe of the elaborate details of the home.
“It’s so beautiful. Like a fairytale house,” she said with a wide grin. Her eyes roamed the rooms until they reached the inside of the tower. “My goodness. I sure would hate to have to clean those windows.”
Max chuckled good-naturedly. “Mamma contracts professionals for the tough jobs.”
That was what Bash liked about Morgan. She was always so comfortable in her own skin. Saying whatever was on her mind, never worrying about what others thought. Appreciating whatever the moment might bring with an open mind and heart.
“Max! You get over here and hug your Mamma!” came a stern but loving female voice.
Bash turned toward the sound and watched a petite, attractive older woman with white hair piled neatly on top of her head walk into the foyer. She wore a plum floral maxi skirt with a cream-colored blouse and a gray cable-knit sweater. The things that immediately struck Bash were her infectious smile and the mischievous twinkle in her forest-green eyes, the same color he shared with his dad. Max strode across the floor and lifted his Mamma off her feet and into a bear hug. When he sat her back down, she grabbed his cheeks and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
“I’ve missed you so much, Maximillian. We’ve barely spoken since your dad’s passing.”
“Not now, Mamma. We will talk later. I promise.”
Sam had discretely left the room, leaving Bash and Morgan standing in the foyer feeling like intruders.
“Maybe we should wait in the living room,” Morgan whispered a little too loudly because it caught Mrs. Fontana’s attention. When she spotted them, her eyes flicked past Morgan and landed on Sebastian.
When Max realized where his mother’s attention was drawn, he said, “Mamma, let me intro…”
Gia Fontana cut him off with the lift of her hand. Her eyes locked on Bash as she slowly crossed the room toward him. He stood frozen in place, barely able to breathe. No one moved. His heart pounded. When she finally stopped in front of him, she reached up and touched his chin, lightly turning his head to the left and then to the right, scrutinizing his features. Her lips began to tremble.
“Y…You look like my Sebastian,” she whispered.
Bash was stunned. Max told him his Mamma didn’t know who he was. How could she know his name? He glanced at Max, pleading for answers. I don’t understand. What do I say? What did you tell her? But Max just smiled and shrugged.
He turned back to his grandmother. “I am Sebastian,” he confirmed.
