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“I’ll check with everyone I know in Europe,” Phoenix added.
“Good. Maybe there is something going on within the Italian borders we don’t know about.”
I walked away while he said a few other things to the members, still trying to understand what the fuck was going on. When he approached a minute or so later, I could tell he was as troubled as I was.
“I need to ask you a question and I want an honest answer.” Constantine’s voice was subdued.
“Sure. Why not,” I told him.
“Do you love her?”
I laughed, an ache still remaining in my gut. And in my heart. “Does it matter?”
“Yes, it does. For whatever reason, the Rossis placed Margot in your life. I doubt it was done with malice. They took a significant risk in doing so as well. After you find the reason, you’ll know what you need to do, but I suggest you consider it carefully. So answer the question. Do you love her?”
I forced myself to turn and face him. The silence wasn’t lost on him, a smile curling across his lips. “More than I thought I could love anyone.”
“Then my suggestion is you return home and have an honest conversation with her. If she is an actress, then there’s more to this story than some incredible sum of money. From what little I do know about the girl who’s inside your home, she’s not stupid. She wouldn’t risk you discovering the truth without a damn good reason because she knows exactly what could happen to her.”
He had a good point. “Agreed. What if she doesn’t talk?”
“Oh, come on, brother. I’ve seen the two of you together already. Tell her how you feel. That will do the trick. It always works with me.”
CHAPTER 26
Margot
Tears of frustration and anger.
Sobbing.
I’d cried so much my chest hurt, my eyes burning. I was drained, furious with the horrible man for taking Zorro away. What had he dared do to the poor baby? Was he really that terrible of a human being? I’d pounded on the door, tried to unlock it from my side, and tossed everything I could toward it, including breaking a lamp. I’d yelled and screamed and no one had cared, although I’d seen soldiers walking the property.
Now, as crazy as it sounded, I was considering jumping from the window. The slope was bad, a stone patio right below, yet I refused to be held prisoner by a monster. The window remained open, the screen the only real hindrance. I pushed at it, trying to decide what I could do once I managed to escape.
Where would I go at this point?
Since the bastard knew my real name and where I’d worked, he could likely find me with ease. Then what? I felt stuck. I felt helpless. But most of all, I was horrified that I’d dared fall in love with the man. I had to have more than one screw loose. That was for certain. After taking several gulping breaths, I backed away, moving against the wall. I was stuck. There was no choice. The deal I’d made with the devil had been exposed.
All the denying in the world wasn’t going to free me from the prison I was in. Jumping would only result in a broken bone or worse. I closed my eyes, every muscle in my body aching. As another wave of tears swept into my system, I gasped for air, slowly sliding down the wall. After wrapping my arms around my bent knees, I buried my head. No one cared. No one was coming to my rescue because no one knew I was missing.
The irony was ridiculous, almost making me laugh. Images of Zorro rushed into my mind and I couldn’t bear the thought he’d been killed because of me. The dull ache in my head intensified, the one in my chest likely an indication I was having a panic attack.
“No. No. No. Zorro.”
A strange series of sensations tore through me, then a lick. What?
I jerked my head up, trying to focus. Zorro bounded all over me, pressing slobbery kisses across my face and eyes. “Oh, baby. You’re alive. He didn’t hurt you.” I kissed him openly and freely, his tongue meeting mine. I’d never been so relieved in my life.
“Did you really think I was going to hurt our dog?”
Hearing Daniel’s deep voice made me bristle. “He’s mine. Not ours. You don’t care about anyone but yourself. You bastard.”
His deep exhale was followed by his footsteps as he entered the room. I dared take a look and the realization he’d left the door open shocked me almost as much as having my furry baby in my arms. He sat down on the bed slowly, stiffly as if his muscles weren’t working very well. When he clasped his hands together, he stared down at them as if they would provide needed answers.
There were none at this point.
The silence was more crippling than before. I continued rubbing and kissing Zorro and after a few additional seconds, Daniel finally looked me in the eye, watching how much I adored the fur baby. His waning smile was almost sad, but what did I care? That didn’t take away the fact he was a horrible person.
