Midwife, Mother...Italian's Wife

by Fiona McArthur

  She stroked his shoulder. ‘Your dad will mind you.’

  ‘Sì.’ He nodded, but the concern stayed in his eyes. ‘And who will keep you and Jack safe?’

  ‘We’ll be fine, honey.’ She hugged him for the last time. ‘Have a good flight and look after Grace and Aunt Emma for me.’

  ‘Until you come?’ He searched her face. ‘Jack wants to come.’

  ‘We’ll see.’ She glanced across to Leon, who seemed just as embroiled as she, with Jack. ‘I’ll think about it.’ Not on your life was she going anywhere near Leon Bonmarito. Hopefully by the time he came back to visit his brother she’d be over this infatuation that had rocked her nice tidy little world.

  Jack returned to her side, looked at Paulo and shook hands and then threw shyness to the winds and hugged the other boy, who hugged him fiercely back.

  ‘You guys got over your mutual dislike, I see,’ she teased, and they broke apart, both pink-tinged in the neck.

  ‘He’s okay,’ Jack said gruffly.

  ‘Too rrright, mate,’ Paulo said with a stiff upper lip and a fine attempt at Aussie slang. His accent rolled the r’s and made them all laugh.

  Then Leon stood beside her. So big and darkly handsome…and so ready to leave.

  ‘Arrivederci, Tamara.’ His arms came around her for a brief hug and he kissed her in the Italian fashion on both cheeks. Nowhere near her mouth.

  It was as if they both knew it would hurt too much. With his head against her hair she heard him say, ‘Addio, amore mio.’

  Ciao, Leonardo, she whispered soundlessly into his shirt and then she stepped back. ‘Safe trip.’

  ‘Come,’ Leon said to Paulo. ‘You have forgotten nothing?’ Paulo shook his head and Leon closed the boot on their luggage. They would leave the rental at the airport.

  It was time. He lifted his hand in salute, no last chance for a kiss goodbye, Tammy thought with an ache she’d have to get used to, but surely it was better this way.

  With Jack by her side she watched them drive away and as they walked back into the suddenly empty house, Tammy felt a gaping emptiness in her chest that made tears burn her eyes.

  ‘I’m going to my room,’ Jack said gruffly, and she nodded. She wanted to go to her room too, and crawl under the covers for the rest of the day, maybe the rest of the year.

  Five minutes later Jack was back. ‘We’ll have to see them off now.’ When her triumphant son reappeared, brandishing Paulo’s backpack like a glorious trophy, she had a ridiculous urge to laugh out loud.

  Then common sense stepped in. ‘No, we don’t. We can post it to him.’

  Jack shook his head decisively. ‘It’s got everything in it. His MP3 player, his phone, diary—’ he paused for effect ‘—his mother’s photos.’ Jack knew he had the winning hand. ‘What if all that gets lost in the post?’

  Tammy rubbed her forehead and ignored the stupid leap of excitement in her belly. She’d have to take it. They’d have to take it. Jack wins.

  ‘Maybe we’ll catch them. It’s three hours to Brisbane and a real pain.’ Not that she’d planned anything useful today except feeling sorry for herself.

  Tammy grabbed her keys with a heart that was lighter than it should have been. This was not good. She’d have to go through the whole painful farewell routine again and this time she was bound to cry. But if she had to do that, she was darn sure she was at least getting that kiss. A real one. To hell with the consequences.

  Her eyes narrowed for a moment on Jack. ‘You and Paulo had better not have cooked this up between you. I won’t be impressed if we catch them and Paulo’s not surprised to see us.’

  They didn’t catch them and half an hour into the drive Tammy accepted it was a dumb idea to try. Once she thought a police car was following her and she slowed down even more. She wished she’d remembered to bring her phone so she could have called Emma.

  The plane didn’t leave for another five and a half hours so she wasn’t worried about missing them. Leon was meeting Emma and Gianni at the International Departure gates at 5:00 p.m. As was Montana with Grace. She had plenty of time. It was only one-thirty now.

  By the time she took her parking ticket from the machine at Brisbane airport Tammy had reached a definite point of regret for her decision to come.

  And they’d all, especially Leon, think her mad to chase across the country to give back a bag she could have posted. She could have sent it registered mail, for crying out loud. It was Jack’s fault.

  Her mood wasn’t improved when she realised that she and Jack were in such a hurry they’d forgotten Paulo’s bag in the car and they’d had to race back and get it.

  Dragging her son through the terminal, she wished herself home until finally she spied the signs directing her to the departure lounge entry. And there, towering above the crowds, big and dark and brooding with his broad shoulders lovingly encased in his grey Italian suit, stood Leon. Her steps slowed and her hand tightened on Jack’s as she came closer.

  Leon turned, as if sensing her, and his eyes widened with surprise and a warmth that almost had her fan her face.

  Jack eased his hand out of hers and ran across to Paulo brandishing the bag. The two boys hugged and Tammy and Leon looked back at each other with raised brows.

  Her feet slowed but Leon stepped past the boys without a word and walked straight up to her. ‘Ciao, bella.’ His head bent and he stared into her face as if still not sure that she was real.

  Her cheeks warmed under his scrutiny. ‘Ciao, Leonardo,’ she said. It was safe enough to echo, and of its own accord her hand lifted to brush his cheek. ‘You didn’t kiss me goodbye.’

  His eyes darkened and roamed over her. ‘Sì. For good reason.’

  ‘And what reason would that be?’ Her belly kicked with the heat in his scrutiny and suddenly they weren’t in a crowded airport. They were alone, in a mist of vision that narrowed to just Leon’s face.

  ‘I believe that’s a dare.’

  Wasn’t that how they started? ‘It’s been done before.’

  His head lowered further and just before his lips touched hers she heard him whisper, ‘But not like this.’

  She should have realised how dangerous it was to challenge this man. Or maybe she was very aware of the consequences. That was the glory of it. When he finally stepped back, the hard floor of the terminal seemed to sway beneath her feet and he kept one hand cupped beneath her elbow until she balanced again. Some kiss.

  He lifted her chin with his finger. ‘Why are you here?’

  Still vague and dreamy she answered absently, ‘Paulo forgot his bag.’

  They both turned to the boys, forgotten in the heat of the moment, a few feet away only minutes ago, but the place they’d occupied stood vacant. Two older men moved with a leisurely intent to stand and chat there instead.

  Leon craned his neck around the men, and frowned heavily. ‘Now where have they gone?’

  The boys were running. A vague and nebulous plan had formed in the few moments their parents had ignored them. What if they ran away? Together. Somewhere safe, of course, just long enough to miss the flight, and ensure their parents had more time together. More chance to stay longer in Lyrebird Lake for the Bonmaritos.

  A family in front of them were heading for an arriving bus, pushing luggage and laughing, and the boys followed them and two older ladies onto the bus.

  ‘What is Long-Stay Parking?’ Paulo whispered as they sat unobtrusively behind the noisy family.

  ‘Don’t know, but sounds like a good place to sit while we wait for the plane to go,’ Jack said.

  The bus filled quickly with those returning from holidays and trips to their cars parked in the furthest part of the terminal. ‘My father will be very angry,’ Paulo whispered, regretting their daring already.

  ‘So will Mum, but they’ll get over it.’ Jack’s voice wobbled only a little. ‘It’s for their own good.’

  ‘What if we get lost?’

  ‘You’ve got your mobile in the bag.
We’ll ring your dad. Which reminds me, you’d better turn it off now.’ He looked at Paulo. ‘In case he rings?’

  Paulo paled and hastily dug in his bag. ‘Sì.’ He flipped open the phone and held down the key until the screen changed. They sat there and stared as the light dimmed and disappeared. Both gulped.

  The bus revved and moved off. The trip seemed to take a long, long time. When it pulled up, the jerk thrust them forward in their seats while all around them people stood and lifted bags and shifted in a line towards the exit and a huge area with rows of parked cars. In every big square of cars, a brick waiting room sat on edge of the bus line, to provide shelter in case of rain.

  ‘We could sit in that shed,’ Jack said, less sure of the brilliance of his plan now that they were there.

  Paulo didn’t say anything but he followed the other boy with his head down, his backpack bumping on his shoulder like the weight of the world.

  Both boys’ eyes lit up when they saw the snack vending machine in the corner of the waiting room. ‘You got money?’ Jack said.

  ‘Sì.’ Finally Paulo smiled.

  ‘I can’t believe this.’ Tammy felt sick and frightened and most of all incredibly angry and disgusted with herself. And the man beside her.

  Leon was reaching for his phone. A muscle jerked in his cheek and his mouth had thinned to a grim line. ‘This, I think, is a trick thought up by your son.’

  The possibility had crossed her mind. A bit like the suddenly found backpack of Paulo’s. But she couldn’t admit that. Surely Paulo had some say. ‘Why does it have to be my son?’

  Leon’s hand tightened on the phone. ‘Because mine is aware of consequences.’

  Not true but she wasn’t going to fight about it now. She was too scared to have lost Jack again. ‘Where are your clever bodyguards? What if someone’s taken them again?’

  ‘One has left to organise our safe arrival and the other I gave leave for a few minutes. He approaches now.’

  Leon launched into a flood of Italian and Tammy battled to keep up. It seemed the bodyguard had gone to buy a drink and also not seen the boys disappear. So Leon wasn’t discounting the chance of abduction. Tammy turned to the elderly men beside them. ‘Excuse me. Have you seen two little boys, dark hair, about eight years old?’

  One of the men shook his head and the other stroked his chin. ‘I might have, actually. Did one have a backpack?’

  ‘Sì,’ Leon broke in. ‘Did you see where they went?’

  The gentleman lifted his hand and waved. ‘Running towards the exit. I thought it strange but they caught up with a family and I assumed they were with them. I’m sorry.’

  ‘Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.’ Leon gestured to the bodyguard and the man jogged quickly towards the exit. He slanted a grim I-told-you-so glance at Tammy.

  Tammy’s head ached with the beginning of a tension headache. How could the boys have done this to them? They knew how frightened she’d been. She couldn’t believe this was happening and all because they’d brought a stupid bag to the airport. When would she learn that this man was trouble? Where were Jack and Paulo?

  Leon flipped open his phone again. Then he swore in Italian. Graphically.

  ‘Don’t swear,’ she said—anger was the last thing she needed—and rubbed her face.

  Leon blinked. ‘Scusi. Paulo has switched off his phone.’ He narrowed his eyes at her. ‘And how did you know I was swearing?’

  Good grief. She didn’t have time for this. She shrugged and avoided his eyes. ‘I didn’t really. It just sounded like swearing.’

  His eyebrows raised but he said nothing more. ‘I will try the washrooms. Perhaps you could check the shops.’

  She nodded but the fear was forming a monster in her throat. ‘And what if we can’t find them?’

  ‘Then we’ll check with the police.’

  The next hour was fraught with false leads, and small boys that for a moment made her heart leap, and then ache with growing fear. The police had faxed through the photos of the boys to airport security and the inspector in charge of the previous kidnapping was on his way.

  Tammy slumped against a pole outside the terminal and searched out groups for small boys. ‘I can’t believe we’ve lost them again.’

  Leon ran his hand through his hair and glanced at his watch. ‘Nor I. There will be retribution for those responsible.’ The underlying menace in his voice made Tammy shiver and for a second she almost hoped for Jack’s sake that they’d been kidnapped.

  Leon glanced at his watch again. ‘I must meet the inspector and Gianni should also soon be at the departure gate. And Montana with Grace. Do you wish to come with me or remain searching?’

  What? And stay here by herself, imagining the worst? ‘I’ll come.’

  When they returned to the terminal again only Emma and Gianni were there. Leon broke into a flood of Italian and when he said to his brother that no doubt it was a hoax dreamed up by Tammy’s son, Tammy shot him a look of such pure dislike, he paused midsentence.

  Leon held his hand up to his brother and turned to Tammy. Her heart thumped at his comprehension. He searched her face, took her arm above the elbow and steered her away from the others.

  His grip was more than firm. ‘You understood everything I said?’ The question came in Italian.

  ‘Sì,’ she spat back.

  He dropped her arm as if it was suddenly dirty. ‘This we will discuss later.’

  ‘Or not,’ Tammy replied, and closed her eyes as he walked away. She felt like burying her head in her hands but it wouldn’t help. He’d never forgive her. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. The boys were the important thing.

  The inspector arrived accompanied by his constable. ‘I do not think they have been taken by the same people.’

  ‘Why are you so sure?’ Tammy had to ask.

  The inspector shrugged. ‘We have all except one of the men responsible for the kidnapping in custody or in the morgue. It seems the shootout was between two warring Mafia gangs. They planned to hostage the one man’s son for the location of stolen property.’

  Leon’s brow furrowed and his impatience with this diversion was plain. ‘What has this to do with my son?’

  ‘Nothing, I’m afraid.’ The inspector scratched his ear. ‘It’s the other boy. Our informant believes Miss Moore’s son was the illegitimate child of one Vincente Salvatore. Mr Salvatore was killed in the battle. It is believed he protected the boys with his life.’

  Tammy felt the look of incredulity Leon shot at her and she shook her head. Vincente was dead. He’d saved the boys. She looked at Leon but he didn’t hide his contempt for more lies. She hadn’t known Vincente knew. How could she have known that Paulo’s abduction had been mistaken identity? All this fear and danger her fault—for a hidden heist. And all the time she’d blamed Leon for the boy’s danger. ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘I wonder what else I do not know,’ he said quietly in Italian, and she could tell he didn’t care if she understood.

  The inspector went on. ‘There’s still one man at large so we will be keeping an eye out. Might be prudent to be careful, Miss Moore.’

  The airport security chief arrived at that moment to join the inspector and Tammy turned still-stunned eyes on him. ‘We’ve isolated the video coverage in the time frame the boys went missing. It seems there’s a chance they boarded the long-stay car-park bus. We’re waiting for a patrol car now so we can check that out.’

  Leon’s phone rang. He glanced at it with an ar rested expression and closed his eyes with relief. ‘Paulo?’

  He paused as the boy spoke. ‘Sì.’

  He looked at first Tammy and then the police inspector. ‘We will come,’ he said in English. ‘Long-stay car park. It seems they have run out of money for the vending machine.’

  ‘I’ll go,’ Tammy said quickly. ‘My car’s just out side.’

  There was an awkward pause as they all looked at Leon. The security chief pulled a pad and pen from his pocket
. ‘Give me the registration and they’ll let you through.’ Tammy wrote down the number.

  ‘I, too, will come.’ Leon’s tone brooked no argument and Tammy was too emotionally exhausted to care. It was her fault the boys had been kidnapped. Vincente’s fault. The fact rotated in her mind like a clothes line in the wind. Around and around. Leon’s words sank in. It was a wonder he’d travel with her but she guessed he’d handed his own car in. ‘Feel free. What the hell.’

  ‘Don’t swear,’ he mocked as they walked away together. She gave him the keys in the hope he wouldn’t get out of the car when they first saw the boys. At least driving back to the terminal would give them some cooling-off period.

  Leon glared down at her as they walked. ‘So, all this time it is you who has placed my son in danger—not, as I thought, my imposition on you. You should have told me his father was a criminal. And Italian.’

  She ignored the part she had no defence for. ‘It was more than an imposition to almost lose the lives of two children,’ she said wearily, ‘and I had no idea that Vincente knew about Jack.’ That wasn’t strictly true. She’d hoped Vincente hadn’t known about Jack.

  ‘Is that the truth or more lies?’ He didn’t believe her. Couldn’t say she blamed him.

  She rubbed her aching temples. ‘Nothing warned me the Salvatores, or their enemies, knew of my son’s connection to their family. As far as I was aware, there was no connection.’

  Leon strode forward more quickly when he spotted her car. She had to almost run to keep up. ‘It is well there is still time to leave today because I find myself wanting to shake you for destroying my trust in you. That you speak my language.’

  She wasn’t happy being in the wrong either. ‘I know. If it’s any consolation I’m embarrassed I didn’t let you know earlier. But the longer I left it, the harder it was to tell you.’

  He speared a glance at her across the roof of her car. ‘So I have told you what is in my heart, my most inner secrets, and you are the one to feel embarrassed? My sympathies.’

  He came back to her side and opened her door, and his courtesy while he waited for her to get in was an insult.