Page 117 of Not Mine to Keep

“Wrong room,” I called back, recognizing Javier’s voice, tightening my hold on the pillow.

“CallieCosta,” he corrected. “Can I talk to you?”

“Do you know where my husband is?”

“No, but I’d like to see you anyway.”

“Yeah, okay.” I couldn’t be a jerk to the guy, who’d been kind to me for four weeks. He’d also helped distract my aunt by allowing her to feed him a “taste of the South,” as she’d called it. They were both single and in their fifties; if my world didn’t feel like it was ending right now, I’d be the one playing matchmaker between them.

The door cracked open, and it wasn’t until I abandoned the pillow and sat upright that he came in.

At the sight of the familiar guitar case in his hand, I sputtered, “Why do you have that?”

He set it on the bed. “Alessandro said that if he didn’t make it back, to give you this on your birthday.”

“No,” I shot back, staring at The Legend’s guitar my husband had said he’d give away our first night in New York. Clearly, he hadn’t listened. “He’s coming home.”

“Of course he is, but it’s your birthday, and an order is an order. So here it is.”

“I hate him for doing this,” I whispered, crying as I went to my knees and opened the case. Inside was a handwritten note from him, too.

Calliope,

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”—I had to look that one up. Dolly Parton’s a wise woman. I see why you like her and her music.

And I promise you, we’ll get through this storm together. Even if I’m not there with you ... I’m there with you, you know?

Love, your husband—a royal pain in your ass, just like you’re a pain in mine.

Alessandro

P.S.—You don’t really hate me, and you know it.

The note fell from my hand when Izzy flew into the room and yelled, “They found him! Well, they found Rocco, at least.”

“Where is he?” I stood, trembling with shock, and Javier hooked his arm with mine for support.

“They caught Rocco on CCTV footage in Slobozia earlier today. Looks like they’re still in Romania. Crazy enough, they ID’d him while walking by a car from the reflection in the passenger-side mirror. Once they had the location, they were able to track him to an abandoned-looking home outside the city. There are civilians in the area, so they have to be extra cautious when they move in. Plus make sure they’re not being—”

“Set up,” I finished, my nerves getting to me again.

“My brothers and Hudson are moving into position. A quiet approach from the front and back. There’s a basement there, so they think that’s where Alessandro’s being kept.” She gestured for me to get a move on. “We’re heading to the airport now. Enzo had our other jet sent back the other day in case we needed it.”

“Wait, we’re going? Finally?” I went for the buttons on my PJs, anxious to change.

“Assuming my brother needs to go to the hospital after, we should—”

“Of course,” I blurted, then stopped the job of finishing unbuttoning at the realization of what I was doing in front of others. “But Javier, will you stay here and watch my aunt? I know the government said we’re no longer in danger, but just in case?”

He nodded, then reached for the note from the bed and set it in my palm before curling my fingers over it. “Go get your husband back.”

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Alessandro

Unknown Location

I lifted my chin, flashing Rocco a dark smile, but it took all my energy to do so.

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