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I laid Alessandro down carefully, hating for some reason to let him go, but turned to Gianni. “Stop everyone leaving. I want this place sealed tight.” Gianni nodded and turned to go. I could hear him shouting orders and swore to myself. Hugo had been one of my men relieving all the other guests of their weapons. I knew not much could be done about knives, but I hadn’t intended on letting anyone get close enough to Alessandro for a knife to be a problem.
“I think he will be fine. I would like him—”
“No,” I cut the doctor off before any mention of hospitals left his lips. “Bring the car around. Lucio, you will take my husband and the doctor back to our apartment.” I met his eyes and while I understood his conflict as he would want to be with me, the fact was I didn’t trust anyone else to keep Alessandro safe.
An example of which was now unconscious and blessedly silent on the floor.
Marchese sighed as if he had expected that and put the syringe in a small clear plastic bag. “I need this identified, but I’m pretty sure it’s simply a fast-acting sedative. He exhibits no symptoms other than that, but he needs constant monitoring.”
I nodded and Marchese pursed his lips. “My nephew will be helpful.” I nodded my acceptance to Lucio, who got on the phone. Marchese’s nephew was actually as old as he was, but as a retired EMT, eminently capable.
“Take Nonna as well,” I ordered. Nonna and Alessandro seemed to like each other.
This was disastrous timing. Every single capo was sitting in that church. I even had representatives from the five families, plus the bastard Rocco who I was sure had just had a hand in trying to abduct his son.
I bent to pick up Alessandro once again and, surrounded by my men, we walked to the covered entrance just as Nonna met us, her hand flying to her mouth as she saw I was carrying Alessandro. Gianni bent and whispered to her and Nonna’s eyes met mine. I knew she was upset, but the determined tilt of her chin reminding me so much of another’s almost made me smile. Nonna climbed in and patted her lap. I carefully slid Alessandro in on his side, head in Nonna’s lap. Nonna’s arm immediately secured him, and Marchese followed.
Gianni stepped up as Lucio got in the car. “That wasn’t a murder attempt,” he said as we watched them drive away. “That was kidnap.”
I agreed. I understood murder and swore to myself. How had I been careless enough to leave him so vulnerable? I knew he was at risk, but Hugo? Hugo was the third generation of his family working for mine. I would have bet my life on his loyalty. I’d bet Alessandro’s and nearly lost.
So much for my instincts.
I, of course, met the representatives from the five families first, which was an exercise in humiliation. That my husband had been nearly kidnapped under my nose smacked of weakness. The fact that he was a husband as opposed to me marrying Sofia wasn't much better. The only thing that hadsaved my reputation was sharing the fact that we were already married. I even intimated he’d been bait and that Lucio had been primed and ready. Reinforcing that I was willing to make any sacrifice including him to strengthen my business helped to claw back some respect.
After that, the fact that my bride had changed to groom barely raised an eyebrow.
Mollified, they all left. Which left me with the people in my organization and my family.
I could hear Rocco making the most noise as I strode into the antechamber where I’d had some drinks and canapes served. It helped to have a hotel and its restaurants nearby open twenty-four-seven.
I strode up to the front and everyone immediately fell silent. Including Rocco, even though he obviously struggled with it.
I immediately announced that the traitor had been caught, and no one had been hurt. “But what about Alessandro?” Rocco blurted out. “As his father—” He realized what he’d said about two seconds too late as he saw the shocked and confused looks on the guests’ faces. Obviously, they had expected Sofia to be my bride. Sofia was, of course, absent. I glanced at Elisabetta and noted she seemed more furious than Rocco and filed that away.
“I was aware of the plot to assassinate my husband, and I’m afraid I have to apologize for the subterfuge necessary, including the fake fiancée.” Which would explain for the guests why they expected me to marry Sofia. I paused and noted my audience. Not so much as a guilty eye-flicker escaped me. “But my husband and I were actually married an hour ago. I have cars and drivers outside to escort you to the reception. My husband has just left to change, and we will see you all there shortly.”
“Now, just a minute,” Rocco started to bluster, but Elisabetta placed a warning hand on his arm. At least she had worked outthat to avoid looking as if they had been also fooled, they had to behave as if they were in on the whole plan. Appear trusted.
I met Rocco’s eyes and saw the flush start in his neck. I walked out of the room and back down the aisle. Instead of having Alessandro on my arm, Gianni and five of my men accompanied me.
“He’s awake,” Lucio met me at the entrance to my suite and I almost staggered as relief rushed through me. I nodded and quickened my steps inside. Darren, Marchese’s nephew, turned to smile, and unhooked the blood pressure cuff from Alessandro’s arm.
My gaze flew to his. I barely noted Darren’s comments about him needing rest and supervision, but that he was sure he would be fine by tomorrow.
Darren eyed me then murmured that he would just be outside and closed the door behind him.
I stared at Alessandro, noting his stillness and even though his eyes were open, his pupils were huge. “How are you feeling?” I crossed the room, perching on the edge of the bed.
He frowned. “What happened?”
“You don’t remember?” I hedged.
I wanted to swipe the crease that appeared between his eyes away with my finger. No, with my tongue.Fuck.
“There was something wrong with my pants, I think.”
I knew that. Through her tears Imelda had told me exactly what happened.
