“You are not?”
“Not quite in the same way. You seem a bit violent and earthy. I prefer sophistication. Taking apart his empire and exposing him for the monster he is.”
“That still leaves him to prey on other women. He drugged her. You know that. He drugged her, raped her, and blackmailed her.”
She heard the bite to his voice. This time she knew the demon roaring for release was in him. She felt the slow unfurling of claws, the lengthening of fangs, the snarl of rage at a monster of a man who could torment a woman in an attempt to ruin her family life. Byron.
You can be a very scary man. Never to you,
cara. He leaned down and kissed her on her mouth before taking her inside the palazzo.
Chapter 16
Celt greeted Antonietta in his dignified but obviously affectionate manner, falling in at her side to guide her up the stairs to Paul’s room.
Tasha turned quickly from her vigil by the bed and threw herself into her cousin’s arms with a glad little cry. “I was so worried about you, Toni. No one was with you. You were gone so long.”
“I was with her, Tasha,” Byron said quietly. “I can make you a sincere promise that nothing will ever harm her when she is with me.”
“He took wonderful care of me, Tasha. How is Paul?” Antonietta kissed Tasha’s cheek and hurried quickly to Paul’s side. She had to keep her eyes tightly closed or she became disoriented and suffered vertigo. If she were still, she could use her eyes if she remained cautious and concentrated.
I hope your friend is right about my eyes. It is difficult to remember to keep them closed. Even with the dark glasses, I still see objects that aren’t there. We will find a way to fix this problem, Antonietta. I know it is disorienting for you and nearly impossible to keep your eyes closed.
“Paul slept all day. He just woke a couple of hours ago.” Tasha stroked back her brother’s hair. “Justine and I have been taking shifts. We kept up on the fluids.”
Paul is pale and weak, but he will live. We need to reduce his pain.
“That’s good, Tasha.” Antonietta laid her palm on Paul’s brow. “I saw Christopher in the maze earlier.”
Tasha sighed. “He pounded on the door. I was afraid he would break it down. I couldn’t get him to go away, but then Franco came with
Nonno
, and they told him to leave. I’m not altogether certain he would have, but Diego arrived, and Christopher left.”
“Not exactly,” Antonietta said. “Diego had a short talk with him out in the maze. Christopher threatened to ruin his career and said a woman like you would never stoop to looking at a man like Diego.”
Tasha pressed her hand against her mouth. “No. How could he say that?” Her voice was strangled. “Christopher is very vindictive. He might really do something to ruin Diego’s career. Why? We’ve only talked a few times. It’s not like I’ve slept with Diego. He’s a very nice man with children to think of. I wouldn’t involve him in a scandal, and Christopher would make it one.”
“Diego didn’t seem very afraid. Or maybe your protection mattered more than his career, because he grabbed Christopher by the throat and told him to leave you alone.”
“He didn’t?” Tasha looked to Byron for confirmation. “He grabbed him by the throat? For me?”
“He was very angry with Christopher for striking you.” Byron shrugged. “If Diego had not made it very clear to Christopher that he was not wanted here, Franco or I would have.” When Paul stirred, he placed a restraining hand on the man’s shoulder. “Or Paul when he recovered. The nice part about having family who loves you, is they protect you when it matters.”
“Byron asked me to marry him, and I said yes,” Antonietta announced as she seated herself on the bed beside Paul. She tried to sound casual and matter-of-fact, but there was a tremor in her voice.
Celt pressed close to her, put his head in her lap to show camaraderie. Byron laid his hand gently on Antonietta’s shoulder, his dark gaze on Tasha, willing her to say whatever Antonietta needed from her.
There was a short silence, a stilling of the air as if everyone held their breath. “What did
Nonno
say?” Tasha asked.
“He gave us his blessing,” Antonietta said, rubbing Paul’s arm. “How are you feeling, Paul? You’re drinking plenty of fluids, aren’t you? Do you need me to take away the pain?”
“
Grazie
, Toni, I was hoping you’d offer. Congratulations, Byron. There’s no one in the world like our Toni. You’d better take good care of her.”
“You do not have to worry, Paul. She will always be my first priority.”
Antonietta waited for Tasha to say more. When her cousin remained silent, Antonietta turned her attention to directing healing energy to Paul. She could feel the steady flow Byron fed her, but he stayed in the background, allowing the actual healing to come through her.
When it was obvious Paul was more comfortable, not moving restlessly, Antonietta handed him a glass of water. “Drink this. Did you talk to Justine about your absurd suspicions? Because she is not part of a conspiracy to steal. She isn’t, Paul. I can’t tell you exactly how I know, but I do.”
“Then who is selling our things? I saw the painting. The one my mother loved so much. It was moved down to the temperature-controlled room with the filtered air to preserve it until we could remodel the art room.” He eased his body into another position. “I loved that painting. There’s no mistake, and I’m going to get it back.” There was determination in his voice.
“Then I’ll ask Justine to take an inventory to see what else is missing.”
I thought you were going to fire her. Paul’s in love with her. He was willing to die to keep her out of jail. I can’t very well fire her. If he feels that strongly about her, hopefully she feels the same way about him and thought she was saving his life. You are far too softhearted. I cannot imagine what our children will be like. Josef is thoughtless because he has been spoiled. Can you imagine ten Josefs running around the palazzo barefoot and clinging to the sides of the walls and making the gargoyles come alive? Singing rap music? What have you gotten me into? I can’t imagine ten of anything, let alone ten little Josefs. And they will sing opera. How did I become responsible? You walked onto the stage looking so beautiful and courageous, you stole my heart.
Antonietta burst out laughing. There was a sudden silence in the room. “I’m sorry, I know we’re discussing a serious subject. I just…” She trailed off, mentally kicking Byron in the shin.
The strange phenomenon of objects rushing at her face had lessened enough that if she held her head very still, she could see through the heavy black lenses. Tired of closing her eyes and anxious to see her family members, she stared toward where she knew Paul’s face would be and lifted her lashes.
“Someone in this house is stealing,” Paul reiterated. “The police know it, Interpol knows it, and no one but a family member would know the way through the passageway. Who else but Justine?”
Antonietta’s heart gave a funny jump when Paul’s face stopped moving. The blurred image cleared, and she was staring at her cousin. “Paul.” She breathed his name softly. Reached out to brush at the hair spilling across his forehead. There was a curious burning sensation behind her eyes.
He looks just like I remember my father looking. Tell me where Tasha is. She’s so quiet I can’t tell exactly.
Byron shifted closer to wrap his arm around her shoulders. “We do not know who could be doing this, Paul, but we believe you. If it is someone living in this house, it should not be that difficult to find out who it is.”