An hour went by before his phone rang. Salvatore.
“Tell me the good news bro.”
“We can get her. He doesn’t have a lot of people here. She looks okay, but I didn’t get to see her for very long. She was eating so at least they’re feeding her.”
“Can we pin this on Juliano? Can we get him in jail for kidnapping?”
“If he’s still in the country when we go in. I saw him leave so he isn’t on the premises.”
“Damn.”
Amedeo wanted revenge. If he didn’t get it via the law, he might have to go above the law. That was a choice for another day.
“The important thing is that I can get her.”
“Please keep her safe, Salvatore.”
“I’ll do my best, Amedeo. I’ll call you when she’s out.”
They hung up. An hour passed with no word. Amedeo picked up his phone multiple times to make sure the battery hadn’t died. He’d charged it this morning. He sighed. Madge looked in the door. “You need company?”
“I might.”
She stepped into his office. “Your brother is the best, right?”
“He’s certainly very good at his job.”
“Then don’t worry until you hear bad news,” she said.
Easy for her to say. She didn’t know someone who had been kidnapped. His heart hurt. What if he lost Violet? This would take a long time to recover from. Would he ever feel this way again? Would the universe take her away from him when he just realized his feelings for her?
“You love her.”
Amedeo cleared his throat. “Yeah, I do. When did that happen?”
Madge laughed. “I’m going to say it was the first day when she came back her all wet and cold. The look you had on your face was priceless.”
“Do you have to gloat?”
“Nope, but I do have work to do,” she said.
She left him. He thought she was coming back when his door opened. There stood Violet. Amedeo couldn’t get out of his chair fast enough. He had her in his arms before she could say anything. He kissed her then stepped back to look at her.
“You’re okay.”
Salvatore stood behind her. “I told you I’d deliver her in one piece.”
Amedeo hugged her again. “Did they hurt you?”
“No. I’m fine, Amedeo,” Violet said.
“The baby’s okay?”
“Still in there,” Violet said.
Amedeo patted her stomach then turned to Salvatore. “Thank you.”
“No problem, bro, but take good care of her. She’s a gem.”
“I know,” Amedeo said. He led Violet to the couch in his office. His gaze roved over her. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
“I’m okay. A little shook up, but I think I’ll be fine.”
“Good.”
*
Violet was so excited for the ultrasound that she had woken up early that day. Hours early. The appointment wasn’t until ten in the morning and at five she was ready to go. Well, she hadn’t showered and dressed, but she could have been. Easily.
She stayed in bed, staring at a sleeping Amedeo. The man had been even sweeter since she’d returned from being kidnapped. He hadn’t said he wanted to change their arrangement, but she had a feeling something had shifted in him.
He snored slightly, his hair disheveled. Scruff dotted his face and made him look even sexier. Part of her wanted to wake him, but part of her enjoyed watching him in such an unguarded state.
He had one arm flung over his head. The other rested on his stomach.
“You’re staring.”
She jumped. “I am. Sorry.”
His eyes fluttered open. His gaze took her in. “You excited or something?”
“Yes. I feel like it’s Christmas.”
“What do you think you’re having?”
“A baby.”
He chuckled, then put a hand on her face. “I mean boy or girl.”
“I know. I think it’s a boy.”
“Really?”
Gwen had recently given birth to a boy and Violet thought it would be nice if the cousins were both boys. This wasn’t wishful thinking. She had a feeling it was a boy. “Yes. Gwen knew she was having a boy.”
“Pregnancy psychic powers.”
“I guess so.”
“You hungry?”
“Yes, of course.”
“What can I make you?”
His voice was rough from still being a little sleepy. She wasn’t usually awake before him, so this was neat to see him this way. He slept much less than she did. “What do you feel like cooking?”
“I’ll make whatever you want, Violet.”
He’d been this way since the kidnapping. As if he’d been truly worried about her. She was touched. Well, more than touched, but she wasn’t going to tell him how she felt. It would make things awkward. She didn’t want him to know that she’d fallen in love with him.