CHAPTER 7
TAMMY
Luca descended the stairs and handed Tammy her clutch. The incident involving Victoria had put an end to the party which was just fine with Tammy. She was suffering from jetlag. She just wanted to lie in the arms of her big strong man.
Luca placed his hand on the small of her back and led her out of the restaurant. Lorenzo opened the back door of the SUV. Luca, cautious as ever, held Tammy close to him as he looked in every direction. She didn't mind a bit. She loved to be close to him, inhaling his scent. It was clean, strong, and male—all Luca.
“Tamara!” a feminine voice shouted from the sidewalk.
Tammy turned, but she couldn't see where the voice was coming from. Luca turned as well, but he didn't stop moving toward the truck.
“Tamara!” the voice shouted again.
Luca ushered Tammy into the SUV and closed the door. Tammy was trying to watch Luca until Lorenzo stood in front of the door, blocking her view. Since she couldn't see, Tammy sat back and closed her eyes. Running her own fashion house was fulfilling, but exhausting.
Tammy was fantasizing about spooning with Luca in a comfortable bed when the door opened. Luca stuck his head inside, but he didn't speak. Tammy studied his demeanor, but she couldn't read him. Normally, Luca was never at a loss for words.
“What’s wrong, baby?” she asked.
“There's a woman…”
“And?” Tammy prodded.
“She says…bella, she says that she’s your mother.”
“What?” Tammy chuckled. “Luca, let’s go, baby. I’m tired.”
“No, bella. She might be telling the truth. You look just like her.”
Tammy sat up. She’d heard too many times how much she looked like her mother.
“Are you serious? She said that she’s my mom?”
“Yes. Come.”
Luca held out his hand. Tammy stared at it, debating whether she wanted to meet the woman that claimed to be her mother. Reluctantly, she placed her hand in his and exited the backseat. Luca led her down the sidewalk to a woman who was standing alone. It only took one look at the woman for Tammy to determine that she was indeed Beverly Beauvais, her long lost, heroin addicted mother. But this woman didn't look like a junkie. In fact, she was beautiful. She had long, straight black hair, gorgeous dark skin, and almond colored eyes. She smiled with tears in her eyes.
“Tamara?” she said softly.
“Yes, my name is Tamara,” Tammy confirmed.
Beverly’s hands flew to her mouth as tears trickled down her cheeks. She attempted to approach but was stopped by Lorenzo. He looked to Luca, not knowing how to handle the woman. Luca looked to Tammy.
“I don't know you,” Tammy said with venom.
“You know exactly who I am. You know that I’m your mother.”
“I don't have a mother. My mother left me when I was a child.”
“Tamara, baby, I was sick. I was too sick to be your mother. But I’m better now. I swear to you. Not being with you was the worst punishment for my many sins. I just wanna—”
“Look, Beverly…” Tammy interrupted. “I don't need a mother now.”
Beverly lowered her head in defeat and Tammy almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
When she reached into her purse, Luca pulled Tammy closer and reached for his holster.
