Twist of Fate

by Witek, Barbara

  Kate gasped and Dante growled, “Enough! What goes on between me and my wife is not part of the deal, Carlo.”

  “Oh, but it is when it affects my profits. Maybe your trip to Milan will be just what you need to retrain your wife in the art of being submissive…like my Dina over there.” Carlo pointed to the bistro table where Dina sat, seemingly oblivious, as she poured another glass of ice wine.

  “Milan?” Kate questioned, the shock registering on her face along with something he dared to think was…happiness?

  “Yes. We leave in a week, all of us.” His tone was flat, and he continued to keep his arm around Kate and his eyes fixed on Carlo.

  “Submission, Dante, remember that. I told you to rein her in, and I meant it. Nothing can go wrong, or it will be on your hands. I need you to have control of her.”

  “And I told you, Katrina is not your concern. She doesn’t need controlling. Unlike you and Dina, we are equal partners.” Dante pulled Kate close. “I believe it’s time to leave. Thank you for dinner.” He tipped his head toward Dina, and they exited the patio.

  Dante sped back toward the city, eager to leave the confrontation with Carlo behind. There had been no reason for him to bring up Sam Hackett. Dante had never told him, which meant someone was giving information to Carlo. One of his trusted men was playing both sides and that irked him. He wondered if it were the same person who slipped up with the cocaine? And if that was the case, then they knew of his dealings with Rico, too, which meant Dante needed to watch his back until everything went down.

  “You defended me in there,” Kate’s surprised voice filtered through his thoughts.

  “Of course.” He glanced over to her then back at the road. “I didn’t like what he was implying. I am in charge of my family.” Dante caught the edginess in his voice and stopped to calm down. “I would never let anything happen to you or our daughter.”

  “I’m actually starting to believe that,” she said, again sounding surprised.

  Dante wasn’t sure what that meant, but the indestructible feeling it gave him was enough to see him through. He would move mountains if it meant his family would stay together. This was far from how he wanted the evening to play out, but it didn’t matter. In the end Carlo Santini would see who the stronger player was.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Kate sat on the edge of her bed, in the guestroom, wondering what was in store for her. Today was a new day. She and Dante had seemed to reach an unspoken agreement of sorts, which if nothing else, allowed her to feel comfortable around him. Dinner with Carlo had ended horribly, except for the fact Dante stuck up for her. She’d been so overwhelmed when he didn’t turn on her in front of his superior and demand answers about Sam. Instead he defended her and their privacy. They didn’t speak much about it on the way home, but Kate felt the tides were turning in their favor for once.

  She’d wanted him to see she was trying, and what he did in front of the Santini’s meant a lot to her. She could tell his words were sincere, and he would protect her and Hope. As long as he was making an effort to leave the Santini family, she would make an effort to ease back into their marriage. Of course, that didn’t mean she would jump back into their bed. Her heart still belonged to Sam. She’d caught the disappointed expression on Dante’s face when she went straight for the guest room. All he’d said was goodnight.

  Last night was the first night since being back in the penthouse that she’d slept soundly. Last night was the first time she’d actually felt safe since being in the cabin with Sam. She stood with a groan, wondering how long she would be tormented by thoughts of Sam Hackett?

  She’d tried over the years to get over him. Somehow he always managed to be there, deep inside her heart. How many times had she wished she could call him? How many times had she wanted to tell him about Hope, her first steps, her first words?

  Dante was right. She’d never get over Sam, but she could learn to move on without him. As long as Dante made progress to become the man he used to be, she could do it. Her only fear was now Sam wanted her daughter, too. She may approve of visitation, but Dante would never let that happen.

  “Weather the storm one day at a time,” she said while shoving her feet into fuzzy white slippers. As she padded down the stairs, she noticed an unusual quiet about the penthouse. This was good. She’d be able to think through who she thought was selling drugs and how to appease Sam while keeping him at a safe distance so she could move forward with Dante.

  She paused midway on the stairs, wanting to cry. All she ever wanted was a lifetime with Sam. Through one misunderstanding after another, their chance was gone. She tried to think of one positive thing they could do to be together but couldn’t think of one that would actually work. Their relationship was doomed. The only beautiful thing to come of it was Hope.

  Kate knew he would never let her go, but she also knew if they stayed in Philadelphia, there would be too many complications. Sam had never known his daughter, never known what he’d missed. He’d had time with his son and until he remarried, that would have to be enough. Kate decided the best thing she could do was take Hope to Milan, a place where Sam wouldn’t follow, and stay. Start her life over in Italy.

  At the bottom of the stairs she sniffed the air, thinking it odd there was no coffee brewing. She cocked an ear toward the living room. Odder still, the television wasn’t on, either. She jogged back upstairs and opened Hope’s door to find the bed empty.

  Puzzled, Kate made her way down the stairs, holding the hem of her red satin nightgown. Dante had been known to surprise her by bringing home breakfast from time to time and to take early-bird Hope with him. She wouldn’t have expected this after the horrible night last night, but stranger things had happened. Maybe things were really turning around.

  As she stepped out the door to retrieve the morning paper, there was no Paulie on the other side. An uneasy feeling swept over her and she quickly closed the door, leaning against it as if to keep out evil. Her eyes scanned the room. Something wasn’t right.

  Her anxious, overactive imagination took over. Had last night with Carlo been a set up? Was Dante testing her, and she failed by not sleeping with him in return for him saving her honor? No, that couldn’t be. She hadn’t been nervous with him. There had to be something else, but what? Kate dropped the paper on the table and paced.

  “Why aren’t they home?” No sooner were the words out, then she heard the turn of the knob. “Thank God!”

  She rushed to the door as Dante stepped through. His face was bruised and bloody and his suit torn. He looked about ready to drop.

  “Dante, what happened? My God, where’s Hope?” Kate frantically searched behind him for the precocious five-year old.

  “Don’t worry about me, Trina, I’ll be fine.” Dante blinked several times and shook his head as if just registering her words. “What do you mean, where’s Hope? She’s still sleeping.”

  “No, her room is empty. I thought she was with you.” They looked at each other with growing alarm. “Dante?” Fear strangled her throat, and no other words came out.

  Together they searched the entire penthouse, in every possible place a five-year-old child might hide. Panic inched its way through every fiber of her body. She’d just been reunited with her daughter. She didn’t want to lose her for good. Where was she? How could this have happened?

  Dante came in from the terrace, and it didn’t matter he looked as petrified as she felt. This was the price he had talked about. This was their payback for showing unity against Carlo Santini last night. Every sick, hateful emotion she felt for that family churned like a cyclone. She raced over to Dante, her eyes burning into his.

  “You bastard, this is your fault.”

  “I didn’t think they would go through with it.”

  “Go through with what?” She pushed at his bloodied shirt, sending him back a couple steps. “You knew about this?”

  “I thought it was only a threat. I never dreamed they would touch her. I told
you I wouldn’t let anything happen.”

  She raised her hand and slapped his face. “And I told you to get away from them, but you wouldn’t listen. I trusted you and now look what’s happened.”

  “It’s not that simple. There are rules, things you don’t know about.” He rubbed his cheek, his fear being replaced by anger. “I’ll let this go, but make no mistake. Raise a hand to me again, Trina, and it will be the last thing you ever do.”

  “I don’t care. Will you let them take me, too? Damn you and your rules to hell! If something happens to Hope, they’ll wish to God they never took her. I’ll come after Carlo Santini myself.” In spite of her anger, instinct took over and she ran for their first aid kit.

  “Don’t be foolish.” Dante said as she returned with the small metal box.

  The lid flew open as she put a hand to her chest. “Oh my God, I know who it is. It’s Paulie. He’s not here this morning. He must have taken her.”

  “Impossible,” Dante corrected. “Paulie was with me. I took him to the hospital.”

  “Paulie’s in the hospital? Why?” She dabbed the cotton ball under Dante’s eye, and he winced. “Who did this?”

  “It was Carlo’s new favorites, Jose and Cody. Paulie took a bullet for me. He saved my life.”

  The thought of some strangers sneaking into their home and taking her sleeping child terrified her. “Why would Carlo kidnap my baby?”

  “To show me I need to keep you in line. He doesn’t trust you, Trina. Nor does he trust me. Someone in my crew is filtering information to Carlo. He knows about my dealings with Rico and my plans to take over.”

  Kate dropped the cotton ball and gripped the table edge so she wouldn’t faint. She should have run while she still had the chance. There was no future with Sam and only danger and lies with Dante. This was all her fault. What was she going to do now?

  ***

  “You’re a first class idiot.” Sam lectured his reflection for the hundredth time since the incident at the trailer. Lifting his chin, he surveyed the bruises. He’d cleaned up pretty well, considering, and he’d barely gotten three hours of sleep.

  She’d haunted him all night.

  Between throbs of pain, he realized he hadn’t handle things properly with Kate. By no means was that the reaction she’d wanted. How was he supposed to act after hearing such news? He wondered if she’d ever planned to tell him. To think she’d had the nerve to be angry with him for what he’d done, and he’d even felt guilty. Shaking his head, he swallowed some aspirin and smirked back at the tired face in the mirror. What did it matter now? The secret was out.

  He didn’t know if he’d ever be able to forgive her. Before going downstairs, he stopped short at the edge of the bed. Visions of creamy skin flashed before him, and he cursed. He may not be able to forgive her, but that didn’t mean he could forget her. Yanking on a fresh pair of jeans, he pulled a crisp white t-shirt over his head. As the collar passed over his eyes, he looked toward the bed again.

  She was still there. He’d never be able to forget her as long as he lived.

  “This is crazy.” Slapping the leather watchband over his wrist, he turned on his heel and treaded wearily through the door. He wandered around the insanely quiet house, but everywhere he looked, he saw Kate. How wonderful it had been to have her back, even for a little while. A smile warmed his face as he looked out at the reddish-dawn sky.

  “I have a daughter.” How many times had he repeated those words since he’d found out? While waiting for the coffee to brew, he knew he couldn’t let this lie. If Kate didn’t care about him that was one thing, but they had a daughter to consider. There were many details to work out. Details he needed worked out.

  He hoped after the way he acted, she’d still want to see him. He’d be lucky if she didn’t tell him to go straight to hell, but he knew she wouldn’t. No matter how mad she’d ever gotten at him, she could never stay mad for long. He gazed at her picture on the mantle as it smiled back at him.

  Without a second thought, he grabbed his keys and coat. To hell with sitting back and idly accepting what life threw at him. He’d gone too long without her and had come too far to lose her. It was time he fought for what was his. He was the kind of man she needed, not some ‘stuffed shirt’ who’d gotten in trouble way over his head. No, she wouldn’t turn him away. He’d somehow get her to listen.

  Jumping into his truck, he headed for the highway. Maybe he’d been a little hasty to declare he’d take her to court. All he wanted was a fair chance to get to know his daughter. She’d have to give him at least that much. This was his flesh and blood. After having time to think, she’d have to understand. If things got ugly or unreasonable, well...then he’d have to take drastic measures. For now, he’d be willing to compromise, to a point.

  His heart swelled with pride when he thought of his child. After going through so much pain losing Ben, he could barely believe he was really going to be a father. He was anxious to see Hope. Before he’d fallen asleep, he’d started making a list of all the things he wanted to do with her.

  First, he’d take her for a ride on the carousel in town. Then he’d take her for ice cream, followed by a trip to the toy store to pick out the biggest, fuzziest, stuffed animal imaginable. He couldn’t wait to be able to tuck her in at night and read her a bedtime story. Would she be too old for a story? Then a sobering thought hit him. Would she even want to see him?

  He’d never know unless he tried. “Might as well let Kate know I’m coming.” He picked up his cell phone and called information. Moments later he connected.

  “Hello?”

  “Kate, it’s Sam.”

  “Sam? Why are you calling?”

  “To talk to you.” He noted the nervousness in her voice. “What’s going on? Have you been crying?”

  “I can’t talk right now. I’m waiting for a phone call.”

  The hairs on the back of his neck prickled. She had every right to be upset with him, but his gut said this had nothing to do with him. He cleared his throat hoping to disguise the worry. “Are you okay?” He gripped the phone tighter when he heard her break down in tears.

  “Something horrible has happened.”

  “Did Dante do something to you?” Fury fueled him behind the wheel at the thought of that man raising a hand to Kate. “If he did, so help me--”

  “No. It’s Hope. She’s been kidnapped.”

  “What? Kidnapped?” Sam clenched his jaw, his eyes focusing on the road with new intent. “I’m going to kill that guy.”

  That is, if he didn’t kill himself first as he cut into the other lane on the highway. He barely heard the horns blaring at him. His chest tightened, and he could feel the blood slow in his veins as fear crept its way through his body. Perspiration dotted his forehead, and he had to force himself to breathe so he wouldn’t pass out.

  He couldn’t lose Hope. He wouldn’t lose her. His daughter would not become a statistic or a pawn in some ‘family’ war. His voice hitched when he found it to speak. “Have you called the authorities?”

  “Dante says we can’t. I don’t know what to do.”

  Dante is the reason you’re in this mess is what he wanted to say but instead assured her, “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m on the highway.” There was silence on the line, and then he added, “I was coming to apologize for the way I’d acted with you.”

  “Oh, Sam, I’m so scared. We’ve got to find her. What if they hurt her?”

  “I won’t let them.”

  Sam hung up the phone, feeling as if his heart were lodged in his throat. He swallowed hard, but the lump wouldn’t leave. A sense of urgency coursed through him, and he stomped on the gas pedal. The truck roared to life under his feet as the force of the engine molded his lower back into the seat. Scrubbing a hand through his hair, he blew out the breath he’d been holding. Let the police try to pull him over for speeding, he’d lead them right to the criminal
himself.

  ***

  Kate hugged the phone to her chest. Her first spot of joy glimmered like a beacon through the darkest hour. Sam was on his way. She’d wanted him here, but Dante would never have agreed, and she didn’t have the strength to argue. She’d even been too afraid to call, thinking after his reaction when he’d found out about Hope, that he surely hated her.

  Did this mean he forgave her? She prayed the answer to that was yes. She needed him now more than she ever thought possible. Missing your child was something she couldn’t go through alone. Dante had been gone for hours, and she’d received no word on his progress.

  Knowing Sam would be there momentarily, she snatched her coat and headed outside. She didn’t know how she would handle things once Dante showed up. Somehow they’d all have to work together to find Hope.

  Sam arrived first. The minute he stepped out of the truck, she flew into his arms. He held her tight as she buried her face against his chest as wracking sobs overcame her. She never wanted him to let go. She’d been a fool to think she could live without him.

  “I’m so sorry. I never should have kept her from you. I thought I was doing the right thing,” she spilled out against his coat and blinked back tears as she looked up at him. “I understand everything now. I thought you knowingly kept my child from me, but now I know you did it in order to protect her. A child you didn’t even know was yours. God, I’m no better than Robin. I’m worse. I kept your flesh and blood child from you. I’m so sorry, Sam. If I could do it over again, I would. I’d--”

  “Shh...now’s not the time. We need to concentrate on finding her. Where should we start?”

  “Dante’s on his way, too.” She wiped at her eyes in time to see his scowl. Sam took two steps back, and he growled low in his throat.

  “Great.”

  “I know what you’re thinking Sam, but we can’t do this without him.” She rested her hand on his chest. “He’s got the connections. He’ll find where Carlo has taken her. We need him.”