Amedeo, Her Italian Billionaire(70)
“I know. Guess we’ll see if your skills are that good.”
“I don’t have my laptop,” she said.
“We can arrange that, but I think we have plenty of computers for you to use here.”
Her brain searched for a way out of this, but her purse wasn’t in sight. “This could take some time.”
“I can be a patient man. You just better be able to prove to me that you’re making progress,” he said.
The warehouse was dark except for the light shining over them. She had no idea if she was in the middle of the building or near the side. Even if she got loose, she’d be running blind. And pregnant, which put her at a disadvantage.
“Can you understand code?” she said.
“No, but I have people who can so you won’t be able to just write garbage and expect me to believe you. I need this done in the next few days.”
“You don’t think anyone will notice that I’m missing?”
He snorted. “You’re a pregnant black girl. A dime a dozen. And that billionaire you got hooked up with? He’ll forget you in a while. You aren’t as important to him as you think.”
His words hurt, but she refused to cry in front of him. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
“When do I start?”
***
Amedeo looked up from his laptop to see Violet’s driver standing in front of him. The man had an ice pack to the back of his head. That didn’t bode well.
“I lost her.”
Amedeo’s heart seized. “You lost Violet?”
The man looked at his own shoes. “I was jumped and knocked out. All I wanted to do was check out the back of the store. I like to know all of the exits in a place.”
Amedeo pressed his lips together. The man had been doing an exemplary job up until now. “Where?”
“At a maternity store downtown. She was involved in something and I’m not sure she heard me when I told her that I was checking out the back. When I came to, I couldn’t find her. The saleslady wasn’t any help. You know how they are in those high end places. Snooty.”
“Damn, Jeff. Go home. Get some rest.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Killiano.”
“I know.” Amedeo watched the man shuffle out. Shit. He pulled his phone out and called Salvatore.”
“Hey bro.”
“Violet is missing. We think she’s been abducted.”
“Slow down. Violet’s gone? She didn’t run away?”
“No, her driver slash bodyguard was jumped and when he came to, he couldn’t find Violet.”
“Okay. I’ll be over in fifteen minutes and we’ll draft a plan.”
Amedeo hung up, but he couldn’t concentrate on work. If this was the work of Papa Juliano, then Violet might be in real trouble. He couldn’t sit still. Madge found him pacing his office, muttering under his breath.
“Salvatore is on his way up.”
“Thanks.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Violet’s been kidnapped.”
“Ransom note?” Madge said.
“No, not yet. I’ll pay whatever they want. They’d better not hurt her,” he said.
Madge left him, mumbling to herself that no, he wasn’t in love. Well maybe he was, but that wasn’t a concern for today. He could deal with those feelings when she was back and safe. Salvatore strolled in as if Amedeo’s wife wasn’t kidnapped. He wanted to snap at his brother, but Salvatore was the best. He’d find Violet.
“First thing, does she have location services turned on?”
“Yes. I insisted. Especially with the threats that have been happening,” Amedeo said.
Salvatore sat in Amedeo’s chair then clicked some keys. “I need her phone number.”
Amedeo gave it to him. Salvatore clicked the mouse a few times. “Okay. Found her.”
“Let’s go, then.”
Salvatore raised a hand. “We can’t go off half-cocked. I’ll need to check out the place and see what I need for an extraction.”
“You aren’t taking out a tooth.”
Salvatore gave him a grave look. “We’re saving your baby mama.”
“Wife.”
“Okay, wife. Trust me to do my job. I’m good at this.”
Amedeo nodded. Here’s where he didn’t have patience. If he couldn’t be in charge. Still, he had to trust his brother. “What can I do?”
“Wait here and don’t call me.”
Amedeo let loose a sardonic laugh. His brother knew him well. It would kill him to be out of the loop, but this was Salvatore. He did these things for a living.”
Salvatore left. Amedeo tried to concentrate on work. Madge brought him lunch without him asking. That woman needed a raise. He really hoped he’d find someone just like her for his next business venture. Whatever that may be.