“Mrs Romano, please come with me. We have a helicopter waiting to take you to a proper hospital for treatment.” He reaches his hand for my wife and I pull my gun.
“Touch my wife and die.” He raises his hands and steps back.
“The heir is our sole responsiblity sir. We are to protect him from anything, including his parents.” I snort at the audacity of it all.
“The baby is fine and healthy. Your interference is neither wanted nor needed. So go back and tell her grandfather that if they so much as send a baby shower gift, we’ll disappear where no one will find us.” He lowers his head and nods once.
“You may try. But you will fail again. It is best if you just submit and follow the rules. Keep her safe, and you won’t see us again. Jeopardize her, and I’ll be forced to take them away,” I fire one shot that pierces his head, sending him flying backwards, and then look at his two companions in the SUV.
“Either of you want to threaten to take my wife?” The windows slowly go up, and the SUV pulls away.
“Didn’t think so.”
I turn to Rosario, who’s staring at the dead body. Her face seems calm, and I watch as she leans over him and spits in his face.
“Take me home.” I take her hand, and we walk to the truck, passing where I dropped the can of paint, and she stops to point at it.
“It’s still not right.” I burst out into laughter as she frowns at the fucking color.
“No, sweetheart. I assure you it’s perfect. Let’s go home, and I’ll show you.” I kiss her as the police fly by.
“You’re right. Perfect, grab it and let’s go!”
Chapter Thirteen
Rosario
Three months later
July in the Alps seems to be just as hot as the summers in the Caribbean. Or maybe it’s the hormones. I fan myself as I lie on the bed with a wet towel, the only thing covering me. I’ve been restricted to bed rest since I’ve been having dizzy spells from my blood pressure dropping suddenly.
Sunny assures me everything is fine and that my blood work is all good. The baby is as active as ever, head down and ready to rock and roll when it’s go time. Her words, not mine. She’s been stopping in for a week now, and I look forward to seeing her.
The nursery is finally done, and I’ve been able to relax knowing we’re as prepared as possible. Apparently, that means my nesting period is over, and the baby might arrive early.
“Feeling better? I can bring you some ice chips.” Bruno has been a saint.
He never complains and has been indulging my every crazy craving, including but not limited to gelato, lobster mac and cheese, and watermelon at three in the morning.
“No, I still feel like I’m burning alive. It feels like the heat is on in hell.” He chuckles and touckes me thigh.
“I’ll drop the air conditioning down to sixty-five.” I smile, knowing it’s not going to do a damn thing for my internal temp, which seems to be set on lava.
The urge to pee hits me suddenly, and I move to get up, making the towel gush water all over the floor.
“Dart,” I sigh cause bending over to pick it up is so not happening.
I lost the ability to see my feet weeks ago, and if I tilt too far over, I’ll faint. I steady myself and then think better of it. I don’t want to slip on the water on the floor.
“Bruno! I need to pee.” I call out but get no response.
“Bruno!” Nothing.
I frown, reaching for my robe and securing it above my belly. I pin up my hair so it’s not on my neck and slowly lower myself off the bed, making sure I keep a hand on the headboard for balance. Once I’m standing, I let my weight settle on my feet before I take a step.
I make it to the bathroom and pee, then go in search of my husband.
I find the front door wide open and no sign of Bruno. I grab the gun he forced me to learn how to use and the new satellite phone. I hit one on the speed dial and hear Bruno’s phone ringing on the kitchen counter.
