Chapter 41
As soon as I arrive at the hospital, a giant who introduces himself as Roman and says he works for Beau walks me down the hallway to Amber’s room.
Roman doesn’t speak during the whole ride, and when we finally step out of the elevator, a very tall, dark-skinned man is standing there, as if waiting for us.
He’s dressed in a full suit, vest included, and the first thing that comes to mind is that his elegance could be compared to Gianni’s.
I push the thought away quickly. I feel far too fragile right now to bring him back to mind.
Beau is very handsome, with a slightly golden complexion, dark hair, and piercing eyes. I can see why Amber fell for him so hard. Like Gianni, he has that something extra that makes you want to guess what kind of secrets he’s hiding.
Handsome, mysterious, and powerful. A deadly combination.
He looks me up and down, and I think I know why. I’m dressed one hundred percent my way, and it’s not common to see someone so colorful strutting around the streets of a big city.
“Beau, how is she?” I ask, hugging him.
I don’t care about his tough guy face; to me, he’s family now.
“She woke up,” he says simply, “but the doctor said I should keep my distance so I don’t make her anxious.”
It seems to hurt him to say that, and I don’t need to be a psychologist to notice that staying away from Amber is a sacrifice for him.
“That doctor must be an idiot. Amber doesn’t like distance, and she doesn’t feel suffocated by a possessive guy the way most women do. We’re tactile. We like contact, hugs, and kisses. I mean, not from everyone, but from you, I’m sure she does.”
He looks at me as if storing everything I’m saying.
“Don’t you think you should go in first?” he asks, and it’s almost funny that this guy with his all-powerful vibe sounds insecure.
“What’s the problem?”
“I don’t know if she wants me around. When she remembered our story, she panicked.”
“Who wouldn’t, in her place? In my sister’s mind, she’s pregnant with the man she was supposed to deceive. If I go in before you, she’ll feel safe and get emotional, and then the chances of her wanting to see you today will drop a lot. So, what’s it going to be?”
“I’m going,” he says without a second thought.
About half an hour later, he shows up in the hallway, and judging by the slightly more relaxed expression on his face, I think it went well between them.
“Amber wants to see you.”
I nod and start walking toward the door, but stop and glance back. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me for anything.”
“I do have to thank you for loving and respecting my sister. I don’t know if you’ve told her yet, but I know you love her.
Neither of us ever learned how to trust, Beau, and it’s hard to change that, but I’m giving you the chance to get it right.
Don’t waste it. I’ll never judge you, and I don’t care what you do for a living, as long as you treat my sister and nephew right. ”
“I don’t owe you my word on anything. My duty is to Amber, and I’ve already made her every promise. I intend to keep each one, but not for you or because of what you just said.”
I realize I went too far and don’t want to start our relationship on the wrong foot.
I step closer to him again. “I’m sorry. Protecting her is in my blood.”
“Then it’s a good time to tell you that Amber has become my world. I won’t take your threats lightly.”
“Fine. Again, I apologize.” I start walking toward the room again, then stop once more. “Beau?”
When I look back, he still hasn’t moved.
“Amber and I suspect we have a brother, but I haven’t brought it up again since she lost her memory. He’s actually my twin. It’s a long story. We didn’t know he existed until Giancarlo dug into our past and. . .”
“Giancarlo?” he asks, as if he doesn’t know the name of my boyfriend, which I doubt.
I wince in pain. “The man I was with in Italy.”
“Go on.”
“Long story short, he’s coming here.”
“This supposed brother?”
“Yes.”
“I need his name.”
I roll my eyes. For God’s sake! It’s practically the same thing Amos asked me.
“No. If you’re so concerned, find out yourself. He’s investigating you right now, too. Just know that no matter what you discover, you’re not authorized to do anything to my brother.”
“You don’t even know if he really is your brother. You need a DNA test.”
“I’m not sure, but my heart tells me yes. Either way, remember that Amos is supposedly your girlfriend’s brother, too, and your son’s uncle. You don’t want to upset Amber.”
Beau just stares at me with that powerful alpha-male look. I turn my back and walk away before I end up throwing something at him.
Men!
With my hand on the doorknob, I hesitate only a few seconds before going in, but as soon as I open the door, I run into the arms of the most important person in the world to me.
“I can’t believe you came!” She stands up before I can stop her and throws herself into my arms.
Then she spends a long time touching my face and hair, laughing and crying.
“I missed you so much, Elodie. I won’t have enough years in this life to thank God that you’re safe. Beau. . .uh. . .took care of the problem with the Italian.”
“So, did you ever find out what that miserable Sicilian wanted when he sent you to meet him at the club?”
“Yes, we just talked about it. He asked me to marry him, and I said yes,” she says, showing me a huge diamond with a smile as bright as the stone.
“But we decided to reveal all the secrets at once so we could start fresh. That man who kidnapped you had Beau’s parents killed when he was still a child.
Apparently, he was stealing from his own uncle and wanted a scapegoat.
I think he must have found out Beau was after him and planned to catch him off guard. ”
I shake my head, thinking about how strange life is. We went around in circles a thousand times just for my sister to end up pregnant and in love with the man she was supposed to lure in.
“Are you happy?”
“Yes. Very. Especially now that you’re here with me.”
“Good, because we need to talk. Do you remember Amos? We never brought him up again after you lost your memory, but now that you remember everything, I suppose you know who I mean.”
She nods, signaling yes.
“Well, then. He’s coming here.”
I tell her in detail about all my conversations with him, what he discovered about our mother, and finally, I conclude, “I think he really is our brother.”
“I’m hoping so, too, but I’m also a little anxious. What kind of person is he?”
“As far as I can tell, bossy. But in just a few hours, we’ll see for ourselves.”
She smiles, her face serene, though still a bit pale.
“When are you getting discharged?”
“Probably today. Stay with us at our place.”
“I had no intention of going far anyway.”
She looks at me, and I know she wants to ask something but is too shy.
“Say it, Amber.”
“What happened with your Italian?”
“We. . .don’t work well together. Not anymore.”
“That’s not how it seemed. You sounded in love when you talked about him.”
“Can we change the subject, please?”
“Did he hurt you?”
“Our paths went separate ways, but I don’t feel like talking about it. Now, tell me: have you bought anything for the baby yet?”