Chapter 22
ANDREA
Ispend the rest of the morning pacing back and forth in front of the balcony doors. I’m furious, and the worst part is that I have no way to let it out. By one PM, I’ve managed to work down my temper, partly because I’ve had enough time to think, but mostly because I’m hungry.
Fuck. After mine and Hudson’s argument in his study, Diane brought me some bacon and eggs, but that was–I check the time on my new phone–five hours ago. Looking at the darned thing almost triggers my anger again, but I blow out a long breath, trying to channel my inner Zen.
What were you expecting, Andie? He’s a criminal; of course, he has absolutely no sense of boundaries.
Oh great, now a voice that sounds suspiciously like Ezra is trying to take Hudson’s side…and using his terrible nickname for me too. Speaking of which, I still haven’t reached out to my family. I sigh and type out Ezra’s private cell on my shiny new phone. I expect to catch his voicemail since he’s all the way in Norway, but he picks up on the first ring. Like he’s been expecting my call or a call from a certain someone I don’t want to think about right now.
“Is this how fast you should pick up the phone when you’re on your honeymoon, Ezra?” I click my tongue. “Charlie will be really annoyed. I know I would be and–”
“Andie! Thank goodness. Where are you? Have you been hurt? I know you’re–”
“Ezra, Ezra. Calm down, dude.” I try to play off the concern in his voice, but it tugs at my heartstrings and my eyes sting at hearing his familiar voice. I can’t believe I’ve missed him after he got me into this mess. The asshole.
“Calm down? I know this is all my fault, but how can you expect me to calm down when you’ve been missing for two weeks?!”
It”s been that long already? Strange, it feels like I”ve been here for longer and at the same time like I just got here yesterday.
“I’m fine. I should’ve gotten in touch with you guys, but I lost my phone like a dummy. I’m sorry for worrying you and–”
“Enough, Andie. Don’t even try to play it off,” he snaps. Darn it, he knows me too well. “I know that bastard kidnapped you. I’m coming to get you,” he adds darkly, sending a surge of alarm down my spine.
“Wait. You can’t possibly be that stupid! You’d come here?”
“Of course.” The duh in his tone is loud.
“You can’t!” I yell into the phone; my hand is now gripping it hard. If he comes here and all those mafia dudes see he’s alive and well, fuck, I don’t even want to think of what the outcome might be.
“Ezra, listen carefully, where do you think I am and who do you think kidnapped me?” My heart is racing as I hope the question will buy me time while I think of how to play this. Fuck, I should have spent my morning planning out what I’d say to my family instead of being pointlessly pissed at that psychopath.
“Give it up, Andrea. I know Massimo has you. Probably in that fucking mausoleum he calls a home.”
“Massimo? Who is that?” Shit, why did I say that? “Oh, do you mean Hudson? My fiancé?” I wince. I need to work on my delivery.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Ezra bellows. I wince again, shifting the phone away from my ear.
“Thanks, Ezra. I think I just shattered an eardrum. I don’t recall yelling at you when you told me you had gotten someone pregnant.”
“What?! You’re fucking pregnant? I’m going to kill that motherfucker with my bare hands,” I interrupt his manic tirade before he implodes. “Calm down, crazy. I’m not pregnant. Just getting married, aren’t you happy for me?”
“How can you be so fucking cavalier, right now?” he demands. Easy. Because I’m trying to protect him.
“Do not come to Rhode Island, Ezra. Stay in Norway. Enjoy your honeymoon.”
“Charlie and I flew home yesterday when Alex let it slip that you hadn’t been seen since the wedding,” he growls.
Wait, what? “Damn it,” I say with feeling. I hate that I ruined this for them. They wanted to spend quality time together before the babies arrive. “What did Alexander have to say? Do mom and dad know about this?”
“Of course not. Dad has it in his head that you’re traipsing about somewhere, playing tourist. And for some inane reason, so does Alex. Am I the only one who knows you wouldn’t do that?”
Probably because we’re the closest. Despite myself a small smile plays on my lips and an epiphany occurs to me. I know him and how to play this. “Can I tell you a story, big brother?”
He pauses. I haven’t called him that in like forever. “What?”
“A handsome man came into my bar one night. He intrigued me, and I wanted him.”
“You didn’t,” he breathes out, immediately getting my drift.
I wanted to. “I did,” I lie smoothly. “Then he shows up at my apartment again the night of your wedding. I’ve been feeling ennui, and it was all delightfully romantic. So, I wrote a letter and took off with him to his beautiful home. Along the way, I misplaced my phone, but you know what? I was too caught up in the romance to realize you or anyone else would think I’d been kidnapped. Ridiculous, I know,” I scoff.
“Really?” He isn’t totally buying the story but he seems to have lost a bit of his angry edge.
“Really, Ezra. Haven’t you ever had this crazy longing to be with someone and you feel like you might die if you spend another second apart?” It’s unfair because I know that’s exactly how he feels about his wife. But fuck, I’ll do or say anything to make him stay in Brattleboro, where he’ll be safe.
“Is that really what you feel? Tell me the truth, Andie.”
I dodge his question expertly. “Imagine my surprise when Hudson told me you reached out to him yesterday saying he kidnapped me. I immediately procured this phone; this conversation is proof that I’m not here against my will.”
“He’s not standing there with a gun to your head, is he?”
I end the call with a sigh. I call him back immediately, this time on video call. “I’m alone in our bedroom,” I announce as I switch the camera from my face to span the empty bedroom. “Satisfied?”
He studies the room with narrowed eyes; then he sighs, “Damn it, Andie. I still feel uneasy about all this.” He pauses and adds, “Did Massimo tell you about our past?”
I freeze. Will letting him know I’m aware of his murderous alter ego make him believe me more, or do the exact opposite? But I must pause too long because he sighs, “I guess you do.”
“Ezra.”
“No, it’s okay. So ,you realize why I think he might have kidnapped you? While I was incapacitated in the hospital a few months back, he sent me flowers with a note attached. Something like he’s letting me go in exchange for a favor. Who knows what runs through that psychopath’s head? I thought the worst.”
“That psychopath let you go, which you and I both know is unheard of in a criminal organization like the mafia.” My voice is sharp. Damn it, now I’m defending Hudson?
“Well shit. You do care about him,” he marvels, his eyes going a little wide. I blink at him, then nod wordlessly. The corners of his lips tilt up, “And how does that cold fish feel about you? Don’t even answer that. He’s letting you call him Hudson. Of course, he’s smitten.”
My brother chuckles and says, “Who would have thought the great Massimo Moratti would be brought to his knees by my little sister. I can’t wait to see this.”
“See what?” My heart rate picks up again. I thought I”d convinced him not to come here! “Ezra, you CANNOT come here!”
“I have to make sure Massimo’s treating you right. Capo di tutti i capi or not, if he ever hurts my sister, he’ll answer to me. I need to let him know that.”
My heart melts into goo. “Ezra.”
“Oh, don’t look at me like that. You know I love you, right?” he asks gruffly.
I nod, blinking back the insistent pressure behind my eyes. I will not cry. “And I love you too.” Hence why I’m doing this. “But you can’t be here. If anybody sees you–no, it’s too risky.”
“It’s fine, Andie. I’ll make sure I’m undetected. I’ll be with Alex, the only person anyone will see,” he assures me.
Despite my best efforts, a tear slips down my cheek and I quickly wipe it away. “Okay. How are Charlie and the babies?”
His eyes light up and he starts talking about how the babies kept her up all night with their kicking, and I nod with excitement. He says that he can almost make out the shape of their tiny feet against Charlie’s belly now. We chat for a little longer then he has to go.
After my talk with Ezra, I call Dad.
“Andrea!” Dad says cheerfully as soon as he sees my face, and I beam at him. “How have you been enjoying your vacation, princess?”
“I met someone,” I say without a preamble.
Dad immediately calls Mom to his side; and while my parents stare at me with wide eyes, I tell them about Hudson, referring to him as Massimo, of course. Mom is overjoyed, while Dad is worried about Hudson’s profession.
“I thought you didn’t want this life?” he asks quietly, and I shrug.
“I love him,” I whisper, almost choking on the lie. I’m a Daddy’s girl through and through, and he’s the one person I can’t stomach lying to. He nods with a small smile.
“Then it’s final. Let me know when the engagement dinner will be,” he insists, and that’s that. No lecture about how we’re moving too fast. Nothing. Guilt eats my insides as mom asks more questions, and I stick to the truth as much as I can. When the call ends, I call Alex.
“I just got off the phone with Ezra,” he says before I can say anything. “We’ll be there tomorrow to make sure everything is on the straight and narrow.”
“How ironic coming from you,” I tease. Next to Hudson, Alex is the least straight and narrow person I know. He just rolls his eyes at me and asks if I’m okay. I’m not sure if he buys my story; Alex has his emotions under tight control, not unlike Hudson. If not for the whole shooting Ezra and then stealing his baby sister debacle, the two of them would probably hit it off as well as a couple tight-ass control freaks can, anyway.
Being the problem solver he is, he asks if there’s anything he can do at the bar while I’m away indefinitely. I feel guilty leaving Keith high and dry without a job, but I don’t exactly know how things will pan out for my business. It makes me incredibly sad: my biggest accomplishment in life squashed. I ask Alex to call Keith for me and explain. I can’t stand to lie to anyone else today.
As we talk, Autumn walks into the frame. I grin at her catching up with how things are progressing with Hill of Autumn Landscaping Inc, her fledgling landscaping business. When I’m done with the calls I flop back on the bed and stare at the ceiling with a hollow feeling in my chest. I miss them.
Before I can give in to self-pity, there’s a short knock on the door. and Diane peeks in, “I’m here with your lunch.”
She walks in with a tray in her hand, but a trail of people carrying various bags and tools are behind her. “What now?”
She waves a hand dismissively. “They’re going to help you with your hair and makeup. After you’ve eaten, of course.”
Of course. I check the time: it’s now 2:48. I spent almost two hours on the phone with my family. “Why do I need help with my hair and makeup?”
“Massimo had them brought in. I think you have a big date tonight.” Her brown eyes light up with excitement. Right. The date. I sigh as I accept the food tray.