Page 38 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 4

“You need to play dead,” Alana stated as clearly as one would state. “It’s nice out today.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Bruno?” Alana called out to the man that had been leaning against the wall quietly, letting everything play out as we caught up.

“I’m here,” he pushed off the wall and came closer to the phone. “What Alana is suggesting is we report to the media that the three of you were killed in the office bombing.”

Julianne and I both frowned.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because that takes you out of the equation as a current target. Levels the playing field to the fight in France.”

“Wouldn’t they already know we’d survived? It’s been days since the blast occurred.”

Bruno shook his head and grinned wickedly. “My hacker may have edited all of your patient files after the three of you were initially hospitalized. Brenden has been treated under the pseudonym Jim Johnson. You are Giorgio Albertino, which is why the nurses and medical team have picked up calling you Gio and you didn’t notice. Julianne was listed as Juliet Smith.”

“This whole time we’ve been receiving medical care under pseudonyms?” I laughed and then winced as even the slightest movement tugged on my wounds.

“Didn’t you think it was odd that you weren’t interviewed by the authorities?” Bruno smirked. “You’re welcome by the way.” He crossed his arms over his chest, a smugness filling the air.

“Why do I think your kindness will cost me?” I muttered.

“Because it does. You owe me a fortune, but I know you’re good for it.”

“Thank you, Bruno. For protecting my family. I will happily pay you for your services,” Alana’s voice cracked through the line, but I interrupted her.

“Absolutely not, Alana. I pay my own debts, thank you very much. What I need to know now, before I break the hell out of this hospital, is what are our next steps?”

“You need to go into hiding until Bianca and Angus have been handled,” Alana instructed. “Have your most trusted employee issue death announcements for all three of you. Make sure that Bianca is listed as the heir. That ought to close up any possible loose ends she feels she may have left in New York.”

“And what about you?” Jules asked, her voice sounding small and childlike once more.

“I’m jumping into the pond with the big fish. This ends with me, one way or another.”

“I don’t like the sound of that, Alana,” Jules whispered. “You’re one of the only family members I have left.”

“I know,chérie, and I will do everything in my power to come back to you when this is all over.”

“Why does that sound like goodbye?” Julianne cried softly.

“Because I’m ending this call. I love you, Julianne. Always and forever,ma petite fleur. Your mother would be so proud of the woman you’ve become. So strong and resilient. Hold on to that strength. I fear you will need it in the days to come.”

“Alana,” Julianne sobbed. “I love you too!”

Nothing more was said as the line went dead.

Julianne hiccupped through her tears and stumbled into the seat next to my bed.

I reached for her, clenching my jaw as the sudden movement flared across my back like white-hot fire. I didn’t care, needing to touch my wife and soothe her soul.

“Baby,” I gripped her shoulder.

She turned her head and slumped toward me, her face pressed against my chest as she let go. I cupped the back of her head, looking over at Bruno who stood as still as a statue.

“What now?” I barked.

“We break you out of here and notify the world of your deaths. Then I hightail my ass to France.”

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