I’m not comfortable around them. Well, that’s not exactly true, but . . .” She trailed off, obviously frustrated.
“You’re not comfortable because you worry anyone you’re friendly with might become a target,” he interpreted for her, and sank into the chair opposite her. “I can see why you’d want to protect your partner. How did you convince her not to tell anyone?”
“I told her I’d be partners as long as she never said a word to anyone. She wanted the partnership, so it worked out fine. Haydon isn’t the type to look up business licenses. He eavesdrops on conversations, but he won’t do research, there’s never been a need. Over the years, he believed he had me thoroughly cowed.” She grimaced. “Which, sadly, he did.”
“You’re too hard on yourself, bella.” He indicated the phone. “Make your call.”
She put in her passcode and instantly messages began popping up. “I’ve got several voice messages.”
He read the underlying worry in her voice and instantly held out his hand for the phone. Without thinking about it, Grace put it in his palm. There were five messages, all from the same number. He glanced at her face. Her expression broke his heart. She looked stiff and scared. She believed the voice mails were from Haydon.
Putting the phone to his ear, he picked up her trembling hand and began to idly play with her fingers. At once, his touch appeared to be calming, just as he hoped it would be.
“You bitch. Do you think I’m going to let you get away with this? I’m going to cut out that bastard’s heart and make you fucking eat it. But first, I’m going to kill his bitch of a sister and then the rest of the bitches in his family. One by one. I’ll take away everyone he loves. You have one chance, you little whore. Get back to your apartment.”
There were more profanities and threats, including disembowelment and more torture, on each of the other voice mails. He sighed, hit the off button and pocketed the phone. He handed her his cell and gave her the password. “Use mine to call her.”
“I was right. It was him. What did he say?”
“Probably the same bullshit he always says to intimidate you. He’s going to murder anyone you’re around. That sort of charming dialogue.” He sent her a small, reassuring smile, his thumb sliding over the pulse beating so frantically in her wrist. “We expected that, right?”
“Vittorio.” She said his name uneasily. There was stark fear in her eyes.
“You’re safe, bella. He can’t get in here.”
“I’m not worried about me, Vittorio. You have a wonderful family. I haven’t met them all, but the ones I have met have been so nice to me. They’ve treated me as if I’m part of your family . . .”
He brought her fingertips to his lips, his gaze holding hers. “That is because you are family to them. For me, this engagement is real.” His thumb slid across her bare ring finger. “I suppose it won’t be real to you until this isn’t so naked.” Bringing up their engagement did two things for him. He took her mind off her fear for his family and it also brought her one step closer to accepting that he meant his declaration that he wanted her in his life permanently.
A faint flush stole up her neck to her face, turning her pale skin a healthy rose. Her eyes shone a bright emerald green. The desire to kiss her was so strong, he had to call on every ounce of discipline he possessed.
“I’m fine without a ring.”
“My fiancée needs a ring. I have a need to declare to the world that you belong to me.” He kissed her fingertips because if he didn’t, he would be kissing her lips. Her pouty lower lip made him want to sink his teeth in her. She was tempting beyond his ability to resist her. He sucked her finger into his mouth and stroked it with his tongue. She squirmed in her chair. Her mouth formed a perfect little O, and her eyes widened in shock, but she didn’t pull away from him.
“I think it’s best if I call Katie. Midnight Madness, a fund-raiser for Locals Helping the Elderly, is in three weeks. We have to get the details hammered out before the event. I believe you’re on the guest list.”
“I am?”
She lifted her chin. “You and a very famous actress, Anne Marquis. You remember her, blond, beautiful, willowy figure, in