Lake
Val kicks off her flip-flops and starts to pace the room. Her hands rest on her back, and she’s speaking Italian with herself because she knows I don’t understand. She stops and fist pumps again.
I haven’t a clue what she’s planning, but I have no choice but to accept it. This woman thinks she’s figured out a way for me to remain in her house, and whatever it is, I’m taking it.
She pulls out her phone and dials someone. I hear a deep male voice, and I freeze, thinking it’s her brother at first, but I soon realize it’s not. Val practically melts at the sound of this man’s voice. When she hangs up, her face glows.
“My babies’ daddy praised my plan, so we’re doing it. Sit down.” She pats the mattress.
Uh-oh. I bite my thumb as I take a seat next to her. I have a feeling this is going to be another dangerous game I’ll have to figure out how to play.
“Lake, the reason I hired you is because I needed someone to care for Leo.”
“You told me that.”
“I didn’t tell you that if you worked out well, I would be free to leave for a while so I could have these babies with their daddy present, and we can figure out how we’re going to tell Alessio about us. He won’t take it well. Not at all. I’m…afraid of what my brother will do.”
“Who is the babies’ daddy?”
Val bites her lip. “I can’t tell anyone. Suffice to say, he and Alessio are mortal enemies.”
“Oh, Val, that sounds dangerous.” I was right. I am way out of my league.
“You have no idea.”
I wish I didn’t. “You have to stay, but if Alessio ordered you to pack, he won’t change his mind.”
“What do you suggest I do?”
Val hugs me. She smells like the coconut butter she rubs on her belly to prevent stretch marks. “It’ll be okay. I promise. Alessio won’t hurt you.”
“I know. His hitman will do that.”
Val chuckles and grabs my shoulders, giving them an encouraging squeeze. “We will bend his will.”
“Alessio’s will seems inflexible.”
“It is. We’ll force his hand.”
We? I gulp. “I imagine Alessio won’t enjoy that.”
“Not at all.”
The worst he could do is shoot me, which is what the sadist will do anyway, so I shrug. “I’m in. Walk me through this. What are we doing?”
Val’s excited. “Yay! Okay. It’s super easy. Alessio said he’s leaving in an hour, so what time is he planning to leave?
“Ten fifteen.”
She checks her watch. “Damn, that’s close. But it’ll work. Once you’re done packing, bring your suitcases to the office, where Alessio will be working. Tell him you’re ready. He’ll answer a call, which will put him fifteen minutes behind his flight schedule. This will frustrate him. He’ll call the pilots to let them know he’s running behind, and then he’ll find out I took his plane. This is where it’ll get tricky. Alessio…” Val pauses. “Alessio likes to know where I am at all times. He is very, how shall I put this…?”
“Controlling?” I offer, hoping that’s not too offensive.
“Yes, but he is my brother, and he means well toward me and to whoever he loves dearly. He’s always been a difficult man to get along with. A hard worker, a perfectionist, but after Giulia’s accident, he became worse. Instead of mourning our dead sister, he purchased this island and controls everything on it. Leo and I are Alessio’s most important people, and so he keeps us close while he keeps his enemies far away from us, preferably dead.”
My face must register shock because she taps my shoulder. “You’ll be okay, Lake. He likes you.”
“I doubt he’ll like me when he figures out I conspired with you.”
