by Day Leclaire
“Which is?” Luc asked.
Helpless tears flowed down her cheeks. With a cry of distress, she snatched Tony from Grace and repeatedly kissed the tuft of black hair peeking out of the blanket. Then Carina thrust the tiny bundle at Brand. “Tony is also yours,” she said, choking on a sob. “You take care of our baby while I am in Italy. When my mamma is better, I will return and be an unwed, deserted mother once more.” Dropping the diaper bag to the ground, she pushed past Grace and fled the room.
“Wait!” Brand started to follow, then realized he was somewhat encumbered. “Son of a—”
“We need to discuss this,” Luc began.
“Later.” Brand fumbled awkwardly with his armload and shot his brother a look of anguished pleading. “I have to stop her.”
“Mr. Salvatore?” Edward filled the doorway. “Is there a problem?”
“Yes, there is,” Luc said. “Call down to the front desk. There’s a young woman, petite, long dark hair, and probably crying. I want her detained. She’s . . .” He glanced at the baby. “She’s left behind a rather important package.”
“Right away, sir.” Edward spun on his heel and disappeared.
“Brand—” Luc began.
“No, there isn’t time.” Without further ado, Brand dumped the baby into Luc’s arms. “You watch Tony. I’ll go get Carina.”
“Wait one damn minute. Come back here.” But it was too late. Brand was gone. Luc stared in dismay at the baby, before glancing at Grace. A gleam appeared in his eyes, one that didn’t bode well for her. “Why, Ms. Barnes,” he practically purred, advancing toward her with his most charming, determined smile. He held out the baby. “Look what I have for you.”
Chapter 2
The Great Lie
Still Day 337: And all is not so well . . .
Grace held up her hands and backed away. “Oh, no,” she protested. “This is your problem.”
Luc stopped dead in his tracks, staring in astonishment. “You’d desert me in my hour of need?”
“Yes.”
“You’d leave Brand and Carina in the lurch?” he demanded in disbelief.
“Without question.”
His brows drew together. “You’d turn your back on a poor, helpless baby?”
She stared at him, stricken. He’d gotten her with that one. She adored children. She always had. Throughout her teen years, whenever anyone needed a babysitter, they called her. Anytime the church required someone to supervise the nursery on Sundays, her name came to mind first. And though she couldn’t claim a lot of experience with infants, she couldn’t turn her back on a baby in need.
“That’s not fair,” she complained. But he had her. And if he didn’t know it, he undoubtedly sensed it.
“Come, cara mia.” He held out Tony and offered a helpless smile. “I know nothing of babies. Besides, it won’t be for long. Only until Brand returns with Carina and they sort out their little problem.”
Unable to resist, she took the “little problem” and peered into his sweet, sleeping face. Luc leaned over, running a finger across the baby’s flushed cheek.
“He’s a Salvatore, all right,” Luc pronounced. “He’s the image of my brother.”
“What’s going to happen with Brand and Carina?” she asked in concern.
“They’ll marry.” His expression reflected his amusement. “It promises to be a rather volatile relationship, wouldn’t you agree?”
She shuddered. “Too volatile.” A far more serious question concerned her and she gathered her nerve to voice it. “How will your father take the news?”
“Not well,” Luc admitted. “He’s as old-fashioned as Carina’s parents.” He smoothed the tiny line forming on Grace’s brow, his touch easing her distress and yet stirring a strange agitation. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle him. The first order of business is to get them married. That should go a long way toward placating my father.”
“Perhaps you could be a little vague about the exact wedding date,” Grace suggested. “Not lie, of course.”
His lips curved. “No, we’d never lie, would we?”
She ducked her head. “Never,” she agreed in a muffled voice. “But perhaps we should omit one or two minor details.” She peeked up to see how he took the suggestion.
He shrugged, his expression unreadable. “We’ll play it by ear. Let’s hope seeing his very first grandchild will temper my father’s reaction.”
She gnawed at her lower lip. “He wouldn’t throw Brand out of the family, would he?” She’d known parents who’d done just that over far less serious infractions. But not Dom. He was the sweetest, most benevolent man she’d ever met. Surely he wouldn’t overreact to such an extent. He had to realize it could tear his entire family apart if he were to disown Brand. And she knew for a fact family meant everything to him.
“He might,” Luc acknowledged grimly, confirming her worst fears. “He has very strong opinions about this sort of thing. And his opinion is, it doesn’t happen. Period.”
She stared at Luc in alarm. “But—”
He dropped a casual arm around Grace’s shoulders and gave her a reassuring hug. “Relax.” His touch aroused a strange, disturbing flutter deep in her stomach. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything. Trust me.”
Grace nodded, believing him. If she’d learned one thing about Luc, he did precisely what he promised. If he said he’d take care of Dom, then he’d take care of Dom. As far as trusting him . . . She stared at Luc. His lean, chiseled features reflected a strength and power, his direct, golden gaze full of confidence and determination. Slowly, she relaxed.
She’d trust him with her life.
He released her, crossing to the large built-in cabinet on the far side of the room. “Let’s see what’s happening downstairs.” He swung open the cabinet doors, revealing a bank of flat-screen monitors inside. Switching them on, he called up a view from the security camera in the lobby and put it on the large center screen. “There’s Brand and Carina. I don’t see Edward, yet. I wonder what’s taking him so long?”
“He must have gotten delayed in the elevator.” Grace crossed to his side. “Oh, dear. Your brother and Carina are arguing again.”
“That’s not arguing. That’s full-scale war.”
She frowned, cuddling the baby. “Maybe you should go down there and mediate.”
After a momentary hesitation, he shook his head. “Brand wouldn’t thank me if I butted in. He’s made it clear over the past year that he prefers taking care of his own problems without big brother’s interference. He’ll call if he needs help.”
“You’re sure?”
“No.”
“No!” She spun to stare at him. “Did you say no?”
“I said no.”
“That doesn’t exactly make me feel any better.”
He shrugged. “Considering how stubborn Brand can be, it’s the best I can offer.”
“It would seem stubbornness is a Salvatore trait.” She switched her attention back to the monitor. “I wish we could hear what’s going on. I don’t suppose you read lips.”
He gave a short laugh. “I don’t need to. It’s obvious what they’re saying. Brand’s yelling, ‘Why didn’t you tell me about Tony?’”
Grace allowed herself a brief smile, despite her concern. “And Carina is shouting back, ‘Why should I have?’”
He slanted her a quick look, a spark of humor glittering in his eyes. “Because I’m the father of your baby.”
Her smile widened. “So?”
“So, you shouldn’t have hidden my son from me.” He shifted closer. “I had a right to know about him.”
Slipping into the role, she replied, “You have no rights as far as I’m concerned. You betrayed me. You had an affair with . . . her.” She lowered her voice on that final word.
Luc slipped an arm around Grace’s waist and his mouth practically brushed her cheek. “That other woman means nothing to me, amorata mia.”
She shivered, fighting
the urge to return his embrace, along with the sharp desire which intensified with every passing moment. If Tony weren’t nestled in her arms, providing a tiny, but powerful bulwark, she might have. How had it happened? How had this attraction managed to slip past her guard with such stunning ease? And why now, when she was so close to attaining her dream? She struggled to remember the role she played. “But the other woman . . .”
“You’re the only woman I care about, the only woman I—”
“Don’t say it,” she cut in sharply, tumbling out of her role with a vengeance. “Not unless you mean it. Because I know you don’t care. Not really.”
“I do.”
She shook her head. “No. You love all women. I’m just one of many.”
“You’re right. I admit it. I do love women.” He dropped the playacting as well, his gaze turning serious. Deadly serious. “I love all women, young and old, short and tall, with dark hair scraped back in a bun or with long blond hair left loose around the shoulders. They are all beautiful to me.”
She gazed up at him in alarm, resisting the urge to touch her hair. Nerves gripped her and she whispered, “Then you admit it?”
His index finger brushed her lower lip, the caress fleeting, yet potent. “I admit only that I love all women. I love the diversity of their appearance. I love the unique scent of a woman, musky or flowery or as fresh as the first breath of spring. I love to listen to them speak, how one will sound rough and smoky and another as smooth and rich as maple syrup. I love to watch them move, all long limbed and coltish or tiny dynamos bustling with energy. But my favorites are those who dance to some inner music only they can hear, supple and graceful and filled with the joy of living. Like you.”
She shook her head. “No, don’t say any more.”
But he didn’t stop. Instead his hands cupped her shoulders, his thumbs stroking the sensitive hollow of her throat. “Did you know that touching a woman is one of life’s greatest joys? To explore each silken curve and feel the hot rush of her passion. To hold her in your arms and know that your touch brings her to life.”
She wanted to jerk away, but she couldn’t. Not while hampered by the baby. Hampered by her reaction to his words, his touch. “Luc, you shouldn’t say these things to me,” she insisted weakly.
“But I haven’t told you the best part about women. Do you know what it is?” He didn’t wait for her answer. “It’s their taste. The taste of a woman is a gift from the gods. It’s headier than the finest wine and more intoxicating than the strongest rum. And it only improves with age and experience.”
She shut her eyes, afraid to look at him, afraid of the passion she’d read in his face. “You’re forgetting about Brand and Carina,” she whispered. She should be watching the monitor but couldn’t tear her gaze from Luc’s.
“I haven’t forgotten them,” he denied. “You accuse me of loving women, and I admit my guilt. You’re right. I do love women. But how I feel about them is nothing, absolutely nothing, compared to how I feel about you.”
She shook her head, holding Tony tight to her breast. “You tell such sweet lies, beautiful lies. But that’s all they are. Lies. Women fascinate you. You find them irresistible. Too irresistible to ever settle for one.”
“You’re wrong.” His voice was deep and husky, the underlying lilt more pronounced than ever. “Once a Salvatore falls in love, it’s forever. He never strays.”
She forced herself to look at him again, to try and judge the degree of honesty in his expression. “I don’t believe you.”
“Yes, you do, because it’s the truth. Salvatores never stray. Never.” Then he released her and stepped back. “And that, cara mia, is what Brand is saying to Carina. It’s what I’d say in his place to the woman I loved.”
Grace blinked, the spell of words he’d cast slowly fading. She didn’t know what to think, what to say, let alone what to feel. Out of desperation she focused on the monitor. “Luc, look!”
Carina and Brand were no longer arguing. Action seemed to be the order of the day. Gesturing wildly, Carina grabbed a huge porcelain flower vase from off a pedestal beside the front door and dumped the contents over the top of Brand’s head. Water, gladioli and bits of fern dripped from his shoulders and puddled on the floor.
Grace winced. “I guess his explanation wasn’t as smooth as yours,” she murmured.
“I guess not. But she shouldn’t have done that.” Luc sighed. “He’s not going to take it at all well.”
Sure enough, Brand exploded, gesturing wildly. Just then, Edward appeared on the scene. Eyes practically popping out of his head, he attempted to brush the flower petals and pieces of greenery from Brand’s suit.
“I wish Carina would put that vase down,” Grace said, shifting Tony to her shoulder.
“It’s where she’ll put it down that worries me.”
No sooner had he spoken, than Edward endeavored to wrest the vase from Carina’s hands. For a few tense seconds they tussled. Jerking it free, it flew from Edward’s hands and crashed against the side of Brand’s head. He went down like a felled tree.
Luc swore and raced for a phone, hitting the extension for the security desk. “Call the staff doctor to help Brand. I’ll be right there.”
“Luc, wait,” Grace called in a panic. “You better check this out first. It doesn’t look good.”
They could no longer see Brand. A huge crowd had gathered around him, blocking the view. Off to one side, security men were converging on Carina, who wept copiously. Far worse, two police officers came bursting through the front doors. Carina looked from the security men to the police, and apparently decided the law was a safer bet than the furious employees of a stricken Salvatore. She darted to their side.
“I don’t know what tale of woe she’s spinning, but it’s making quite an impression,” Luc said in disgust. “She’ll be gone before I even reach the elevators. Yep. There she goes. Out the door, into the first cab that passes by, and on her way to the airport.”
“What about Brand?” Grace asked in concern.
“Wait a sec. He’s up.” Luc relaxed slightly. “Thank heavens.”
“He seems to be all right, but he could still have a concussion. Where’s the doctor?” Grace fussed. “Oh, no. Now he’s yelling at the police.”
“Probably for letting Carina go.”
She stiffened in alarm. “Why does that policewoman have her handcuffs out? They’re not going to arrest him, are they? He hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“Except give the police a hard time, knowing Brand. They tend to frown on that.” He watched the screen, an intent expression on his face. “Good. They’re releasing him.”
“Great, except where’s he going?” She pointed at the screen. “Now he’s leaving the building, too.”
“Damn!” Luc thrust a hand through his hair. “He’s going after Carina. I should have guessed he’d pull something like that.”
“But what about Tony?” Her eyes widened in disbelief. “He can’t expect us to take care of him, can he?”
Luc smiled grimly and nodded. “That’s exactly what he expects. Looks like we have babysitting duties until Brand catches up with Carina.”
“Oh, no. No way. Not a chance. Call his cell and tell him to come back right now.”
Before he could respond, the interoffice phone rang. Luc snatched it up. “Edward? How’s Brand? Yes, yes. I know he left. Where’s he headed?” He covered the mouthpiece and spoke to Grace, “I was right. He’s on his way to the airport. Hang on, Edward. I’m putting you on the speakerphone.” He punched a button.
“Er . . . Mr. Salvatore? Can you hear me? This is Edward Rumple speaking. Over.”
“We hear you,” Grace said. “Is Brand all right? He isn’t hurt too badly?”
“Just a goose egg, Ms. Barnes. Hardly any blood at all.” He cleared his throat. “But there is just one little problem.”
“What is it, Edward?” Luc asked.
“Well, ah, you aren’t going to like this.�
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“Spit it out.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Salvatore. See, Mr. Brand happened to mention the baby the young lady left behind and, ah, well, the truth is . . . To be perfectly honest . . .”
“Edward!”
“I thought I’d better warn you that—”
A loud pounding sounded on the outer door. “Police. Open up, please.”
“—the police are on their way up,” Edward finished lamely.
For an instant Luc didn’t move. Then in a calm, collected voice, he said, “Thank you, Edward. Keep everything under control down there and notify me the instant Brand returns. I’ll deal with the police.” Hanging up the phone, he crossed to the door.
“Luc?” Grace said uncertainly.
He spared her a brief glance. “It’ll be okay. Just try not to look worried and let me do the talking.” At her nod, he opened the door and held out his hand. “Hello. I’m Luc Salvatore, president of Salvatore Enterprises. What can I do for you . . . ?” He checked their nametags. “Officers Cable and Hatcher.”
“We’re responding to a report of an abandoned infant,” said Officer Cable. She glanced at the baby Grace held. “Is that the child?”
“This baby isn’t abandoned,” Luc stated firmly, moving to stand between Grace and the policewoman.
“No?” Officer Hatcher, a tall, sturdy man, stepped forward. “Is he yours?”
“He’s my nephew.”
The two officers exchanged quick glances. “I’m afraid we’ll have to see some identification,” Cable requested.
It was clear from their attitudes that they were taking this situation very, very seriously. Luc removed his driver’s license from his wallet and handed it to the policewoman. “Perhaps an explanation is in order?” he suggested with a quick smile.
Grace waited for Officer Cable’s reaction to that smile. It wasn’t long coming. She fumbled his license, effected a swift recovery, then made a production of recording the information on her clipboard. A spot of color appeared high on each cheekbone. Luc didn’t even notice.