Page 58 of Stolen By the Enemy

Unless he thought that I would give in and send Grazia with them. If that was his plan, he’s very confused about who he is dealing with.

Leaving my gun pointed at them, I watch as Grazia seems frozen in one spot.

I wonder if she’ll try to run out after them, but I’m ready to catch her if she does.

There is no way that the Baldinis are leaving here with their trade routes and their sister, without giving me anything in return.

Luca and Enzo leave with their security staff, and Grazia runs up the stairs, almost tripping over the top one.

I stand still, my gun still in my hand, wondering if I have just been set up in some grand sibling masterplan.

Luca might have been accusing me of the very thing that he was busy doing the entire time.

This is all just a little too convenient, what with Luca finding a reason to blow off the whole deal after Grazia managed to seduce me.

But how would they have found the ability to communicate to make this plan? I doubt that Grazia has spoken to her brothers since we left the wedding. There just isn’t a logical way.

My mind juggles the rational and irrational thoughts.

I have had my eye on Grazia the entire time, so there’s almost zero chance that she has had any communication with the outside world.

And it’s not like they could have planned this ahead of time, because that would require them to know what my plan was—and I tell no one of my plans.

No, this is much too elaborate for it to have been a setup.

I know all of this, but still, I wonder how I can be sure that I haven’t been played. My thoughts are interrupted by the sounds of Grazia’s sobs.

I hate the sound, even though it was me causing her to sob a little while ago. But now, seeing her so upset, makes me want to hurt the people who have done this to her.

I can tell she only made it as far as my room, and her crying is heartbreaking, even in the midst of my wondering if she has betrayed me.

Knowing that she is crying in my bed causes an urge to go and make her feel better. That’s not what I should be worried about now, but it’s what my instincts are telling me to do.

I put my gun away, deciding that I will deal with the question of double-crossing tomorrow.

For now, I need to calm this house again and comfort Grazia if I’m going to gain her trust enough to figure out if she purposely fucked me over.

I’m going to need her to feel safe with me again. Her brother has just ruined all my work after we spent so much time learning not to be suspicious of each other.

First, though, I need to be sure that her brothers are gone and not waiting outside to cause even more chaos.

I hear their cars driving away, but I still need to make sure that this isn’t a trick, allowing Luca to hide away in my yard and come to save Grazia while I’m sleeping.

Putting my gun away, I tell two of the guards to go and secure the back of the property, and one to check the garage and shed.

I also don’t know how many people might have been waiting for Luca outside my property, so I need to be prepared for anything that might happen.

“Make sure they leave the property, and then lock things down. I don’t want anyone on or off this property for the next twenty-four hours. If you do find anyone hanging around, make sure they aren’t able to leave again,” I say to my security team as I walk slowly up the stairs toward the sound of Grazia’s crying.

I’m not sure what to say to her, or how to handle the next steps, but the look on her face has done something to me.

When I enter the room, her loud sobs hit me hard, making me want to comfort her, but I don’t know how to do that.

So, I sit down next her on the bed and reach my arm out to touch her.

Chapter Eighteen

Grazia

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