“Jon, wait,” I blurted.
“Yeah?”
“Our cousin was brought in, too. His name is Paolo Remotti.”
“I haven’t seen him, but I’ll look into it.”
“Thank you.” I motioned for my brothers to follow me. “I’ll go in first. We don’t want to overwhelm her.”
“Okay. And don’t tell her about Pippa. It’ll be too much for her,” Roman said.
“We need to get the baby back before Isla finds out she’s missing,” Luca said.
“Yes.” I stopped at Room 320. “Wait here.” I inhaled a deep breath before going in.
The sound of beeping monitors made my organs twist into a knot, but nothing prepared me for seeing her beautiful face.
I choked down my emotions and moved closer. Isla was sound asleep and I was glad. I wouldn’t want her to see meshocked at her appearance. Her face was black and blue, and swollen. There were stitches that ran down the left side of her temple. Her arm was in a cast. And her bottom lip was busted.
I laced my fingers together and squeezed them against my mouth as I stared at my beauty. If Roy wasn’t dead, I would beat him to death for what he did to Isla.
Time seemed to stand still as I watched her sleep. The last thing I wanted to do was disturb her. She needed to rest and appeared okay.
As much as I wanted to take her into my arms and kiss her, I refrained. I had too much to do to make things right. Priority number one was getting our daughter back safe and sound.
I kneeled on the floor and prayed at the foot of her bed. It wasn’t often that I asked God for help or protection. He’d let me down two times before with the death of my mother and Julietta. But I was at His mercy…
Heavenly Father, I kneel before you and bow my head in humility to ask for your help. Please, Lord God. My innocent baby girl, Pippa, needs your divine powers to surround and shield her from the evil men who have taken her.
Father, I beg you to provide her with comfort and that the men who have her treat her with care and compassion. Please God, lead me to where she is. Help to get this ordeal resolved quickly and with minimal trauma for Pippa and her mother. Merciful God, keep her safe. I humbly ask you for these things, Father. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
I rubbed my palms against my damp eyes and stood up.
Carefully, I placed a kiss on Isla’s head and lightly touched the top of her hand. “I’ll make this right my love. You have my word.” I kissed her again and left.
“Did you find out anything?” I asked my brothers.
“Wolf is on it. How is she?” Roman asked.
“Go in and see her. Both of you. Then we have work to do.”
They didn’t spare a second going in to see my beloved, Isla.
“Mr. Remotti,” Jon said.
“Call me, Ciro.”
“Okay. Ciro. Your cousin Paolo is in critical condition. He was shot in the chest and is in surgery.”
“Jesus.” I scrubbed my hand down my cheek. “What do you think? Will he make it?”
“I don’t know. It can really go either way.”
“I appreciate your honesty and not questioning me,” I said frankly. “The situation is of a delicate nature.”
“Right. I thought so. I’ve looked you up.” He held my gaze. “Is she still sleeping?”
“Yes. I didn’t disturb her. My brothers are inside, then we’ll be leaving.” I took out a business card and handed it to him. “Call me for anything she needs and when Paolo is out of surgery.”
