Life of a Fool (London Brothers Book 2) (22 page)

I felt his hand reach and unbuckle my seatbelt just before
my body was moving and I was in Antonio’s lap.  “You are right.  We have a lot
to work on between us.  But I am very pleased about this.  So, stop these
tears.  Is there anything you need to tell me?  Something more I need to know
about your time away from me?” 
Hell, no.

“No, Antonio.  There is nothing.”  I couldn’t believe how
calm I sounded as I lied through my teeth. 

“Good,” he said as he kissed my forehead.  “Then, let’s stop
these tears.  Yes?”

“Okay.”  I hated the way Antonio’s commands made me feel
like a child, while Jason’s made me feel loved, cherished, and even in
control.  I wanted my Jason and I would have him again, soon.

Antonio lifted me back into my seat and buckled me in just
as the plane started its descent.  “I hope you like the beach, amore mio.  I
think my unborn baby will be pleased that its mother is happy and calm.”

“The beach?”

“Yes.  We are landing in Hawaii, il mio amante.” 
My
lover.
  I felt panic set in.  How would Jason ever find me?

“Hawaii?”  I whispered.

“Yes.  I changed our plans.  Seems we need time to be alone,
away from
distractions
so we can be lovers again.”  He held my hand
again and started to rub the back of my knuckles with his thumb.  “Is that okay
with you, mia moglie?” 
My wife.

“What were the other plans, Antonio?  Before you knew about
the baby?  Were you going to take me back to Italy and hurt me?  Were you
really going to let your men have me?  I need to know, please.”  I didn’t want
to push his buttons, but I had to know. 

“Lori Ann…”  It was the first time he’d used my name all
night.  “…I was very angry with you and your friends.  Yes, I was going to take
you back to
our
home, and yes, I allowed my temper to make threats, but
I had no plans to do anything but help you see that we belonged together.”

“How?” 

“I wanted to show you I could be the man you once loved.  It’s
true that I was going to
make you
stay there with me.  Not as a
prisoner, but as
mine
.  I wanted my wife back.  I allowed you some time
with your friends, but it was time you came home.  So, that is what this is. 
Me retrieving what is mine.”

“And what about this?”  I pointed at my still broken arm and
saw his jaw tick.  “Are you saying you won’t hurt me anymore?  I’m not trying
to pick a fight, Antonio.  I’m afraid of you.  Please tell me you won’t hurt my
friends or our baby, and I’ll do whatever you want me to do…go where you want
me to go.  I know you’re a man of your word, and I will believe you if you give
me your promise.” 

He stared at me for a long time.  I could tell he was pissed
and felt my body start to shake in anticipation of his reaction, but before we
stepped off that plane, I needed to know where his head was.  I took a huge
risk, but if it saved the people around me, then it was worth it. 

Finally, “Yes, amore mio.  I will give you my promise not to
let my anger hurt you, your friends, and certainly not our baby.  I am trying
to be patient and understanding.” 

“Thank you, Antonio.  Then, Io sono tua.” 
I am yours.
 
But only for now.  And only until I can leave or until my Jason comes for me. 
Yes.  I could do this. 

“Yes, you are.  Remember that,
mia moglie.” 
My wife.
  It was a threat, but I wasn’t afraid this time. 
I knew I wouldn’t be with Antonio for long. 

*****

We landed without much fanfare and climbed into a car that
was waiting for us.  The air was warm and breezy.  I had asked to use the
restroom as soon as we got off the plane, and while I was in the stall, I
carefully turned on Keri’s phone, sent another text to Craig, then left the
phone in the bathroom, hidden behind the toilet.  There was no way I wanted Antonio
to catch me with it now.  That would be a disaster.  At least this way, if the
guys were tracking the phone like I thought they would be, it would show them
where I was and where I wasn’t. 

As soon as we were in the car, Antonio pulled me into his
lap and kissed me.  The sudden move shocked me and it took several seconds for
me to respond.  “Ho bisogno di te.” 
I need you.
  “Will you let me make
love to you?”

I wanted to say no.  I didn’t know how I was going to avoid
it, though.  All I knew to say was, “Can we have the doctor check me first?  I
had bleeding, remember?  It might not be safe…for the baby.”  Dear God.  How
could I do this?

“Oh, yes.  I didn’t realize.”  He spoke quickly to our
driver, asking for the nearest hospital.

“Hey, we don’t have to go to a hospital.  I can make an
appointment in a day or two with a doctor here.” 
Please say yes.

“No.  I need to know you are healthy…now.”  I didn’t say
anything.  His mind was set.  “Lay your head on me.  Rest.”  I did what I was
told.  I closed my eyes and tried to pretend it was Jason who was running his
fingers up and down my arm, letting his fingers skim the outer edge of my
breast.  I could feel Antonio’s cock growing underneath me.  He was breathing
heavier, and his touches were roaming more and more.  Still…I didn’t open my
eyes.  When his hand lifted the hem of my shirt, fumbled with the waistband of
my pants, and skimmed lower to softly run his fingers across my covered folds,
a moan unexpectedly slipped out.  When my brain registered the sound and where
Antonio was touching me, I immediately startled. The cell phone…oh God, I was
so grateful I’d tossed Keri’s phone.  I couldn’t imagine what he would have
done to me had he found it.

I didn’t open my eyes until his fingers slipped beneath the
edge of my panties.  I could see restrained lust on his face.  I stared into
his eyes, then opened my legs and let him touch me.  I knew I was wet.  I’d
been thinking about Jason, but Antonio assumed only he had caused my arousal. 
In his deep voice, he told me in Italian all the things he wanted to do to
me—all the ways he was going to
apologize
for his temper.  I won’t lie
and say it was a turn-off.  I knew him and how he could be when he was in his
lover
mode
.  It was always incredible.  He was gentle and attentive.  I didn’t
know what to do or say, so I decided I would let him have my body—for now—while
Jason held my heart and my soul.  I had to protect myself, the baby, and him. 
I only prayed Jace would understand one day. 

Just as soon as I hung up with Craig, my phone rang again. 
It was Frank.

“London,” I answered.

“We found a ping…from Keri’s phone.  Damn thing disappeared
after Denver, but it just popped up.  And you’re not going to believe where.”

I froze, standing by the door of my truck, feeling sick to
my stomach.  “Where?”

“Hawaii—Maui, to be exact.  That’s why we weren’t picking up
the signal from that phone.  They were over the damn ocean…just not the one we
thought.”

“Fuck, I’m glad I listened to my instincts, man.  I’d be in
the air right now, wasting time.  Okay, what’s the plan?”

“We go get her before he moves her.  Looks like the phone is
staying in one spot right now, but who knows if he found it and made her ditch
it or if she still has it with her, but time is ticking.  The fact that this
signal just popped up a few hours ago is a good sign they flew straight there
and are still on the island.  I’ve put a call into the local police department
and they are getting back to me after they do a little checking on the plane
and its passengers.”

“Frank, you are hero!  I’m walking back inside the airport
now.  I’m not waiting another second to get my girl.  Where are you?” 

“Driving your way.  I was leaving without you, going to get
her when Tyler called me and told me you canceled your flight to Italy.  He’s
calling Craig right now to tell him.  We’re all right behind you.  The rest of
the team is staying here and keeping an eye on things.” 

I stopped walking, hung my head, and took a deep breath.  “Frank?”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t even know what to say.  The fact that you would do
that for me—well, I’m overwhelmed to say the least.  I feel like a damn girl!” 
I laughed, shook my head, and started walking again.  Hearing Frank laugh with
me made me feel better.

“Hey, it’s not just our job to help you get her back.  You
would be doing the exact same thing, so stop thanking me.”

“Right.  Okay, walking back inside the airport.  I’ll text
you the flight information.  Hurry your ass up.” 

He laughed and said, “Will do,” then hung up. 

As soon as I got to the ticket counter and started making
arrangements, my heart sank.  Fifteen-hour flights with at least two stops. 
Which meant I wouldn’t get there until late…Shit!  Anything could happen in
fifteen hours…
anything
.  But I didn’t have a choice.  This was all I
could do.  So I booked my flight and trudged back through security to find my
gate.  I had an hour before my flight left, thankfully.  I grabbed some food
and stood nearby waiting to be called to board.  I texted Craig a few minutes
before my section was called.

Jason:  About to board.  This whole thing is so fucked
up.  I haven’t even begun to wrap my mind around everything with Lori Ann, the
baby, and what our future looks like.  All I know is I want life with her, so I
pray to God that fucker doesn’t do anything that can’t be undone.

Craig:  I hear you, brother.  She’s not going to
jeopardize anything.  You know that.  Just be careful, be smart, and we are
right behind you.  Our flight leaves two hours behind yours. 

Jason:  Thanks, man.  You should stay with Keri.  Let me,
Frank, and Ty handle this. 

Craig:  Not responding. 

I laughed.

Jason:  Yeah, yeah…I know.  She’s your girl, too. 
Thanks.  See you there.

My section was called to board, and as I found my seat, I
texted Frank.

Jason:  Leaving now.  See you on the island.

Frank:  Yep.  We’ll be there.  And Jason, you need to
wait for us before you do anything.  Recon…that’s it.

Like hell.
  I powered down my phone and buckled up. 
Time to go get my woman back. 

The smile on Antonio’s face was pretty incredible.

And I hated it. 

He was so proud, so happy that I was pregnant with his
baby.  There was no doubt it was his, and he knew it by seeing how far along I
was on the ultrasound.  The baby moved and wiggled, sucked its thumb, and
Antonio was beside himself with joy.  All I felt was sick.  I knew he’d never
let me go…never stop hunting me now that I was having his child. 

“Mia moglie.” 
My wife.
  Kiss.

“Amore mio.” 
My love.
  Kiss.

“Ti amo.” 
I love you.
  Kiss.

“Tu mi perdoni?” 
Do you forgive me?
 

I didn’t say a word.  Yes, I was still his wife.  Yes, I
believed he loved me in his sick, twisted way.  But forgive him?  No.  I had no
forgiveness for a man who nearly beat me to death and had planned a life of
torture for me had I not been pregnant with his child.  He was happy about the
baby.  He wanted to be a father.  But I was only the host.  And I knew all too
well that I was expendable as soon as that baby was born.  I was no fool…not
anymore.  But for now, I had to play along.  I needed time for Jason to find
me.  I knew without a doubt he was looking. 

As soon as the doctor left the room, I sat up and pulled my
shirt down over my small bump.  Then, with carefully chosen words, I said, “Antonio,
you hated me just hours ago.  You came for me because you were angry that I
left you, and you know why I did.  You are a smart man, and I loved you for a
long time.  It’s hard for me to understand your feelings right now.  Your
feelings are because of this baby, not because of me.  So, please…I need you to
look at me and tell me the truth.”

“What truth, amore mio?” 
My love.

“What happens when this baby is born?  Will I be punished? 
Will I be exiled?  What will happen to the mother of your child, Antonio?  I am
giving you a gift.  What will you do with me?”

“Lori Ann.”  His voice was full of command.  Forceful.  It
made the hair on my neck stand up.

“Yes?”

He stepped between my legs as I still sat on the exam table
and cupped my cheeks.  I tried not to flinch as he touched me, but I couldn’t
help it.  “Stop.  I’m done.  I was not a good husband to you.  But now…knowing
you did not do anything to this baby even though it was mine…a
monster’s
baby
?  I am in awe of you, my wife…
mia moglie
.  I am sorry for what
I have done to you.  I want your forgiveness.  Please.  I need it.”

I was at a total loss.  I was confused and completely thrown
by Antonio’s words.  He couldn’t be trusted.  I knew that.  Didn’t I?  “Antonio,
I want to believe you.  Show me that you are a man of your word and you won’t
hurt me.  Prove it, please.”  I knew he would.  It was an honor thing with the
Italians.  I had learned that a long time ago.  Problem was…Antonio and I’d had
a very rocky marriage the last few years, and I was determined to “break” him
of his vices.  It just didn’t work like that.  I needed to beat him
with
his own game. 

“I will, my love,” he said in English rather than his usual
Italian.  “I will show you.  Now, let us go.  I need to take care of you and
our little one.”

I stood and walked to the door.  Antonio’s hand was on my
lower back, and his body was just inches from mine.  He leaned down and
whispered in my ear, “The doctor said it was okay to make love.  Will you let
me show you, my lover?” 

I stopped and turned to look into his eyes.  I knew
him…well.  His eyes were hungry, happy, and full of lust.  “Antonio, I…”