Twist of Fate (9 page)

She heard the sultry sound of passion from somewhere inside herself, becoming increasingly aware of their very public surroundings. Regardless of what she wanted, now was not the right time. There were still so many unanswered questions. She couldn’t forget about them and let go, no matter how much she told herself she should. It didn’t matter how at ease she was becoming with Sam. They were starting something she couldn’t finish and wasn’t sure she should even think about it.

His voice was seductive as he traced a finger down her cheek. “Now who’s laughing?”

Kate panicked and held her breath, never breaking his stare. His skin felt cold against her lips, which had been warmed by his and still smoldered under his touch. She didn’t know what she feared most, what would undoubtedly happen between them or the fact she wanted him so much it hurt.

Her head had the final victory.

“Me.” She pushed him aside and cried, “You need to cool off!” With a shriek, she got to her feet and started running.

The spring air cooled her burning cheeks and energized her movements. She had no idea exactly where she was running, but she knew if he caught up to her, she would pay dearly for her comeback. She squealed when she looked over her shoulder and saw how close he was.

They both ran until they could run no more. Kate stopped with her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. She held up a finger, signaling she was done.

When he placed a hand on her back, she heard him chuckle softly. “Good move, there, missie.”

“Thanks. I
...
do
...
believe.” She had to pause to breathe, “we’re even.”

“Maybe.”

“Huh?” She raised her head and pleaded, “Aw...c’mon.” If he felt the need to retaliate, then she would just have to suck it up and take her punishment. She couldn’t run another step. Spreading her arms wide, she said, “Okay...go ahead...”

“Hold on a sec,” he panted. Jogging two doors to the florist, he returned minutes later carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers. “For you.” He bowed as he presented them to her in a flourish.

“They’re beautiful.” She buried her nose in the blossoms. “Why did you get me flowers?”

“Do I need a reason?”

She shook her head.

“You looked so wonderful just now. You put up a good fight back there.” He gave her a wink. “Now we’re even.”

***

Sam ran a hand across his forehead. He’d needed that brisk run. Things had gotten pretty heated back there. She’d kissed him with such abandon, he was thankful they were in a public place. He’d kept his hands to himself, but it had been a struggle.

He took her hand as they walked farther down the street, giving it a squeeze, which made her lift her face from smelling the bouquet. Slight contact was better than no contact. As full of promise as her smile was, it brought with it a wave of guilt.

He’d felt terrible after telling the lie about her father. Well, it wasn’t a total lie. George Thompson didn’t think Sam Hackett was good enough for his little girl and hadn’t been afraid to show it. That had been the basis for many a spat between father and daughter, not to mention Sam and Kate. The old man had Sam almost convinced, until the day Kate had stood up to him. She’d defended Sam with all she believed in, and Sam had never been more proud.

He couldn’t say the same about himself right now.

With every day that passed, he questioned what he’d set out to do. In the beginning, her condition had been too fragile to handle the truth. He still didn’t know what she was running from when she showed up at Jed’s. Whatever it was would more than likely be tough on her.

Now, it was his own selfishness which kept him from telling her the truth. All that history between them counted for something. He enjoyed her company, he looked forward to seeing her face every day, and he liked having someone to come home to every night. He liked having her in his bed, even if they hadn’t made love.

If that were meant to happen, it would happen on its own. He wouldn’t rush the issue, no matter how much his body longed to dance with hers, or how much he remembered their past, or how often Rusty’s words rang in his ears.

A dark shadow reflecting in the department store window caught his attention. Wasn’t that the same blue van he’d seen two blocks ago? He had to be imagining things. Vans were a pretty common occurrence these days. Still...he didn’t like the way that one seemed to creep down the street as if it were following them. There was one way to know for sure.

“How ‘bout something to drink? I’m parched after all that running.” He draped his arm over her shoulders.

“Me, too, that sounds great.” She snuggled in close, taking another sniff of her flowers.

Sam steered her into the pizza shop. When he turned to shut the door, the van pulled away, heading out of town. That should have made him feel better, but it didn’t.

This was much more than he bargained for. He should forget his foolish notions and stay on plan. Protecting Kate was number one. He couldn’t wait to finish up and get her back to the house. She’d be safer there. He was about to suggest they head for home when she did it to him again.

“Oh, look at that adorable little girl over there.” She motioned to a man eating pizza with his daughter.

“What about her?”

“She picks the cheese off her pizza just like Hope.”

“Who?” Sam fought like crazy to keep himself from visibly shaking. This could not be happening. Not now.

“Hope,” Kate replied, quite sure of herself, then opened her mouth in surprise. “How do I know Hope?”

“No idea. Is she a friend of Jennie’s?”

“No, she’s a little girl.”

“Huh?” He didn’t like where this was going by the way his insides clenched.

“I thought she was our little girl, but we don’t have any children yet.” She flashed another innocent smile.

“Our little girl?” The words rolled like lead off his tongue while panic rushed in like a tidal wave. She must be remembering her own daughter, but not able to make the connection. He felt horrible for keeping them apart. He rationalized if Kate was in danger there was a strong possibility her daughter was, too. Sam was doing this as much for her little girl as he was for Kate.

The next time he spoke to Rusty, he’d see if his old friend wouldn’t mind a little detective work. Right now, he needed to get Kate out of there. Without another thought, Sam stood and hurriedly pulled out her chair. “I think you overdid things today. Let’s say we head back home?”

“I still have shopping to do.” She looked at her watch, then back to the little girl.

“We’ll come back another time to finish. I can pick up some grocery items on my way home from work tomorrow. C’mon, your health is more important.” Sam walked Kate back to the truck, keeping one eye out for a dark blue van.

***

The Harbour Street Warehouse buzzed with activity when Dante entered through the back door. Employee offices lined the upstairs loft including purchasing, accounting and Kate’s design studio along with a small break room and random storage space. The hub of the warehouse stood before him on the main level. Forklifts zipped back and forth to the dock, loaded with boxes of Kate’s signature collections. The cutting room and sewing area consumed an entire wing of the building. Amazing what Kate had done with the place over the last two years. He’d purchased it for a steal from a banker who owed him a favor and had given it to her as a birthday present. Her signature golden-K hung from a steel rafter.

Dante knew his wife had strong business savvy. Her designs were coveted by the most high-end boutiques worldwide. Of course, he’d used his connections in
Milan
’s fashion district to start her international contacts, but she had done the rest on her own. Too bad she didn’t see what a powerful team they made together. They could be the beginning of the Pizzaro dynasty. He wanted more than anything to leave a legacy for his children. Unfortunately, Kate refused to add to their family as long as he worked for Carlo. Again, she didn’t understand the kind of power he had. They would be a family, and she would become his dutiful and grateful wife once more. She used to be happy. Maybe a new baby would make her forget the past and focus on their future.

“Daddy!” Sunlight shot through the warehouse as the front door burst open. Dante crossed quickly before his daughter could dash onto the floor. He crouched and scooped her in for a hug. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to ensure her safety and happiness. Hope and Kate were his world, and he wanted that feeling like it used to be.

“How is my Princessa?” He kissed her cheek and stood with her in his arms.

“Aunt Chessie bought Bella and I matching dresses and then took us for ice-cream.” Hope pointed and beamed at his sister Francesca. She’d taken a plane straight from
Milan
the moment he’d told her about the divorce papers. While Dante was a brilliant attorney in the courtroom, Francesca had been Kate’s best friend since college when they’d met. If anyone could talk her out of th
e divorce, it would be Chessie.

“It sounds like you two have had quite the afternoon.” Dante squeezed Hope until she squealed.

“Oh, yes,” Francesca replied and rubbed Hope’s back as the girl yawned and snuggled against Dante’s shoulder. “I tried not to spoil her dinner, but I have missed spending time with her.”

“I understand.” Dante missed spending time with her as well, but his responsibilities to Carlo were all consuming now that Kate was gone. After Kate went missing, the Thompson’s had no choice but to turn Hope over to him. They had no idea he and their daughter had a court date to discuss custody, and he didn’t feel the need to enlighten them of that or the fact that she hadn’t been washed away by the current. There were so many things to keep track of, the last thing he needed was a loose cannon for a wife. Who knew where she was or what she was planning to do.

“Are you all right?” Francesca quietly asked. Dante continued to be the only one besides his crew who knew Kate was still alive. As much as he wanted to tell her the truth, he needed her to be strong in consoling Hope. When the time was right, when his men found her and were bringing her home, then he would tell his sister.

“I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“If it is the business, maybe I can help? Katrina had introduced me to her staff back when I came for the opening. As long as no one has changed, I should do okay until you find a replacement.” She paused, paling slightly. “Oh, Dante, I did not mean that like it sounded.”

“I know, and I would appreciate your help here as long as you can stay. There is no replacement for Katrina. We all just have to make adjustments.”

“Daddy, you’re going to squeeze the ice-cream out of my tummy.” Hope squirmed in his arms.

“Forgive me, sweetheart.” Dante loosened his hold but did not let her go.

“Oh, no! Daddy, Bella has a boo-boo.” Hope’s bottom lip quivered as she thrust the doll up to his face.

“Oh dear.” Francesca inspected the tear in the rag dolls dress that went through deep into the stuffing. “She must have gotten caught on the chair at the ice-cream parlor.”

“What are we going to do? Mommy’s not here to fix Bella. She will have a boo-boo forever!” Tears flowed from Hope’s eyes as she buried her rosy cheeks into Dante’s neck and sobbed.

“I’m sure we can fix her,” Francesca consoled while sending a worried glance at Dante.

“Of course we can.”

“No! Mommy always fixes Bella, and Mommy’s not here anymore. Poor Bella.”

“Shh, angel, it’s all right,” Dante soothed. “We are in Mommy’s shop, and lots of magic happens here.”

“Really?” Hope sniffed.

“Yes.” Dante wiped a tear from his daughter’s cheek and caught the shadows of two men walking toward them. He immediately shifted Hope to his hip, keeping her protectively away from the strangers. They approached with no hesitation. “Gentlemen, can I help you with something?”

“You know why we’re here.” The short, Latino man cracked his knuckles.

“I’m afraid I don’t. I’ve never seen either of you before.” Dante looked to the man’s chubby co-hort. “I’m going to ask you to state your business or leave my property.”

“Seems like you have something that doesn’t belong to you,” the Latino man rolled his neck and shoulders as if preparing for a fight.

“Dante, what are they talking about?” Francesca asked with a hint of fear. Dante turned away from the men, keeping Hope at a safe distance and placed his palm on his sister’s shoulder. Adjusting Hope’s weight, he fished into his suit pocket then stuffed the small velvet pouch into the doll’s leg. “Everything is fine, Chessie. Why don’t you take Hope to see Irma and have her fix Bella?” Dante reluctantly handed h
is daughter over to his sister.

“But Daddy
...
”

“Its fine, baby,” Francesca crooned. “Irma is one of Mommy’s magic helpers. She will fix Bella as good as new. Come, let Daddy talk business.” She shot Dante a questioning gaze, obviously sensing something was not right. Only when he nodded an okay, did she take Hope’s tiny hand and lead her away toward the sewing area. Dante waited until they were out of ear shot before turning his wrath onto the men before him.