Page 26 of Brazilian Revenge

Hell, Satyanna’s own breathing was labored. Anticipation iced her bloodstream. This was it, the first step to finding Lyanna. Would she like what she’d hear? Be strong.

Leonardo loosened his grip on her and drew back just enough so the woman had room to lift her hand to her heart, maybe to make sure it was still beating. “Talk. Now.”

“I-I…” She fiddled with her pendant necklace. “I’m sorry for the pain I have caused you,” she said, looking straight into Satyanna’s eyes.

Satyanna took a long deep breath, and sized her up. “Harry put you up to this?”

She nodded. “Mr. Stephen offered me some money. I’ve always wanted to have my own place, and he gave me enough money to pay for a down payment.”

That explained the posh furniture inside that modest house. Jacinta had plans. She wanted to build or buy a better house, maybe somewhere else. Why on Earth had she relocated? “Why did you move all the way here?”

Jacinta adjusted her glasses. “He asked me to.”

Leonardo shook his head, impatient. “What did he do with my daughter?” Leonardo asked, towering over her so she had no escape.

Jacinta glanced at Satyanna, then at Leonardo. A shade of red covered her cheeks and neck. A sheen of sweat slicked her forehead. That woman knew she was in trouble, and Satyanna doubted she was dumb enough to lie. “He kept her…as his own.”

As his own?

Satyanna chewed her inner cheek so hard she could taste blood. She blinked a few times until she was able to speak again. “What? Where is she?” Her voice rose.

“Valentina’s taking a nap, in the first room to the left,” Jacinta said, pointing it out.

Valentina?Satyanna dashed to the room, her heart throbbing in her ears. She blocked out Leonardo’s voice shouting something. She barely paid attention to the expensive surroundings. It was like she was waiting to be spiritually reborn, clinging to that one moment that would change her life forever.

When she got to the room she held the door handle, her cold palm wrapped around the heavy metal. Her fingers trembled as she turned it. A dusty pink baby girl’s bedroom welcomed her, filled with teddy bears and shelves neatly stacked with diapers, wipes, and cream.

She walked to the white, vintage-looking crib, covered by a soft veil. A sound machine attached to it played a soothing lullaby. Before she even got to Lyanna she felt her presence—and knew it. Knew she was no longer alone, and that the little baby she talked to when she had been in her belly was within a few inches from her.

Inhaling deeply, she carefully pulled down the veil. A bear-patterned blanket swaddled the baby, whose eyes were closed. A wave of happiness swept over her, and she sighed. Common sense said she shouldn’t wake up a sleeping baby, but damn it, she had waited too long to hold Lyanna in her arms.

A generous amount of reddish brown hair covered her head, and the chubby baby seemed healthy. She felt a huge smile spreading across her face and had to lift her hand to her mouth to suppress a squeal. As if on cue, Lyanna opened her eyes and glanced around with gorgeous hazel eyes, much like her father’s.

“Finally we meet, little one,” she said, her voice a sweet hum.

…

“Where is he?” Leonardo demanded. Frustration washed over him. Satyanna had dashed out of sight two minutes ago, despite him telling her not to. What if the woman was lying? What if she sent her straight into Clemonte’s bedroom? Who knew what that man was capable of?

“He’s away on a business trip. He’s even gotten me a passport to go along in the future. Supposed to come back tomorrow. I tag team with another nanny, a local, to take care of the baby when he’s away.”

Bastard. “We will wait here until he’s back. All of us,” he said, enunciating the last words so she would know there was no escape.

She blinked, as if reality dawned on her. “What? Senhor, I told you all I knew.”

Was she serious? He scowled at her. “Yes, but you helped him kidnap a baby. What did you think, you could just walk into the sunset and we’d forget all you’ve done?”

“But I…” Tears bordered her eyes. Her lips trembled, and for the first time since he’d met her, her nervousness was palpable. “I never meant to hurt anyone. He told me the mother was unstable, that he would be a better fit as a parent.”

“Yes, I’m sure your altruism is the only reason why you accepted to change your life around. Even career,” he added, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

“He pays me way more than what I did as a nurse.”

He snorted. “I bet. Satyanna?” he called, turning his head in the direction of the hallway. If she didn’t answer, he’d have to drag Jacinta with him, but he’d go personally to make sure she was okay. Why didn’t she check with him before bolting?

“I’m here.”

He turned his head to follow Satyanna’s voice and found her standing a couple feet from him, holding a baby. A shiver zapped down his spine, and he stretched to his full height. A baby, maybe his if the paternity test confirmed it.

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