The Billionaire’s Prodigal Wife
Chapter 57

“Well don’t you look like the cat who found the canary,” Savannah quipped as she came out of her bedroom just after noon.

Mackenna was lying on the sofa, a throw rug over her legs, Romeo curled up in her lap and a book in her hand. She had a plate of snacks on a small side table Nuncio had put near her and one of his exquisite cups of coffee within reach.

“I feel like it,” she grinned at her friend, “except for the headache, the sore hand.”

“What are you reading?” Savannah’s eyes widened as she tilted her head to take in the title of the book her friend was holding.

“It was in your collection of books.” Mackenna held up the cover with a grin. “I’m trying to be more adventurous.”

“Did Nuncio see you with that?” she yelped and leaped onto the sofa at Mackenna’s feet. “He can’t know I have it.”

“Why?”

“Because he will want me to do the things in it and I’m really happy doing things the way he’s been doing them. He does this one thing,” Savannah’s blue eyes danced excitedly

Mackenna covered her ears and closed her eyes, “nah, nah, nah, I’m not hearing this. I don’t need to hear this.” She opened one eye to see Savannah grinning widely at her. “You done?”

“Yes, I was just going to say he does this one thing I really like and if he knows I can do anything in this book, he’s going to make me trade off.”

“I did not need to know,” Mackenna grumbled but at the sound of Nuncio entering the apartment she quickly tucked the book between her legs and the blanket.

“Ah, you’re up,” he kissed Savannah’s upturned face and touched her cheek, staring into her eyes.

“Oh my god you two are so cute,” Mackenna gritted through teeth and a wide grin. “It makes my heart feel all fuzzy and warm.”

Nuncio laughed at her and swiped a piece of the cheese off her plate. “Get used to it Mac. I’m not going anywhere.” He dropped into the chair opposite the sofa and smiled. “What were you two discussing before I came in?”

“s*x,” Mackenna watched as he choked on the mouthful of cheese and his cheeks reddened considerably.

“You asked,” Savannah giggled at his reaction.

“She was telling me about this thing you do,” Mackenna tried to keep a straight face but burst into a fit of giggles as he jumped up from the chair.

“Enough of this talk,” he pointed at Savannah, “you and I will have words later.”

“I’ll be having more than words,” she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and he moved to the kitchen and poured himself a large glass of water, mumbling something about needing to cool off.

“Nuncio, any word on Salvatore?” Mackenna asked him as he leaned against the island and watched them.

“Nothing. He’s disappeared.”

“How is it possible?” Savannah asked seriously, “he’s one of the most recognizable men in the world. The tabloids have had his face splashed all over the newspapers for weeks. It’s not like he’s been able to change his face.”

“It’s why we feel strongly he’s still somewhere in Milan. He couldn’t have gotten far with no transportation, and no help. Anyone who was an acquaintance have cut ties and his lawyers keep quitting before they get hired.” Nuncio shrugged, “we will replace him. Do not worry.”

“Nuncio,” Mackenna asked quietly, “Alessandro is really angry with him.”

“Alessandro is showing significantly more restraint than my family would,” Nuncio said seriously. “My grandfather is Sicilian, and I promise you, Salvatore wouldn’t have made it to the courthouse for a hearing let alone be allowed to leave his jail cell to go home.”

“Isn’t it a tad barbaric,” Savannah questioned him.

“No, the old man is a disgrace, and he killed his own great-grandchild and family.” Nuncio’s face was hard set and his eyes cold. “He should be dead, buried in a shallow unmarked grave or tossed into the sea for the fish to eat.”

“Jesus,” Savannah blinked rapidly. “No mercy?”

“Mercy is given to those who are sorry Savannah,” he quipped furiously.

Mackenna spoke quietly. “I’m only concerned Alessandro’s hands get dirty. I’m worried about how angry he is. His father called him again just before he left, and he was on a tear.”

“Mackenna,” Nuncio held her gaze seriously, “You let Alessandro take care of his family. It is not for you to worry about or to question. Is this understood?”

Savannah bristled at his tone. “You can’t expect Mackenna to not worry.”

“I can and I do,” Nuncio argued with her. “There are things it is better to never ask about. This is one of them. If Alessandro makes a decision as the current head of his family, then it is his decision to make. It is our way.”

“This is insane,” Savannah griped as she folded her arms over her chest defiantly.

Mackenna watched the interplay between her two friends and took a deep breath realizing she needed to change the topic. “Hey Savannah, did you know Samuel is Alessandro’s design assistant?”

Her head snapped back to Mackenna quickly. “Our Samuel, as in Samantha Pantha?”

“Well don’t you look like the cat who found the canary,” Savannah quipped as she came out of her bedroom just after noon.

She giggled, “the one and only. I almost had a fit when I found him there. I guess he’s been working for Alessandro for a couple of months now. He looks good.”

“I’m so happy for him,” she clapped her hands together happily. “He deserves a break like this. His creations are divine. The way he puts his costumes together is amazing.”

“Alessandro agreed to go to a show. Also, he was not happy we dressed in drag, or specifically I dressed in drag.”

“You dressed in drag?” Nuncio marched back into the living room. “When?”

“About a year ago,” Savannah shrugged. “I have photos on my phone.”

“I want to see,” he wriggled his fingers at her impatiently as she scowled. “Where is your phone?”

“On my nightstand,” she shook her head as he turned on his foot and made his way to her bedroom. In seconds he was back demanding she unlock the phone. She grabbed it from him with a grumble about annoying Italian men and found the photos she’d put into a folder on her phone and passed the phone to him.

He perched on the edge of the chair and went through them, he lifted his eyes at Mackenna, “you look good.” He grinned, “though I get why Alessandro was a bit irritated, you don’t have a shirt on.”

“Her nips were covered,” Savannah said and then grinned broadly when he choked as he obviously came across the photos of her. “My nips were covered too!”

He turned the phone sideways and used his fingers to zoom in. “I want to be mad but its hot. Did you walk the runway?”

“We did,” Savannah smirked as he rubbed his finger around his collar as if overheated. “Does it bother you?”

“No,” he shook his head, evidently lying. “No, but if you ever do this again, I want front row seats.” He looked at her seriously, “and a lap dance.”

Savannah threw her head back and laughed at his comment and Mackenna roared. They laughed so hard, Mackenna’s sides ached as Nuncio grinned at them both and stood up, putting Savannah’s phone on the sofa next to her. He made his way to the kitchen to make tea.

As their laughter wound down, Mackenna was wheezing for air. “God, I don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.”

“It felt good,” Savannah agreed with a grin. “I love hearing you laugh Mac and I’m glad you’re laughing again.”

“Me too. I think we’re finally ahead of the curve,” she smiled at her friend.

“How was dinner last night?”

“Well, I almost ruined everything when I yelled at the model’s mom. She basically called Alessandro an a*****e and told me I should leave him.”

“Seriously?” Savannah’s eyebrows were high in her forehead. “No way.”

“I lost my temper with her for being rude. Thankfully, Whitney and her father felt the same and told the woman off while I was trying to cool off in the bathroom. Alessandro wasn’t upset with me at all. I was annoyed I let her get under my skin.”

She grinned suddenly, “you should see my new wardrobe. Alessandro had some items sent over yesterday and the rest are coming this week. Savannah, he even designed my jeans. Jeans!”

“Really?”

“Yes, I can’t wait for it all to be here and to show you.” She looked curiously at her phone as it started to ring. She saw the unfamiliar international number and grimaced.

She hit the answer button and put it on speaker. “Hello?”

“Mackenna?” Dulce’s voice carried into the sudden silence of the room and immediately Nuncio walked in, his face serious.

“Yes, Dulce are you okay?”

“Yes, no, um,” she sniffed.

“Dulce, are you crying?”

“I think I killed him,” she whispered into the phone. “He had me tied up and I got free and there was a heavy vase and I think I killed him.”

Nuncio spoke quickly. “Dulce, where are you?”

“I’m in my bathroom in my apartment in Milan. I came in yesterday from physio and Salvatore was here. He had a gun. I don’t know where he hid the gun in my apartment, but I know he has one. I wanted to run out the front door, but he has a guard at the door. I’m scared. I hit him with the heavy vase and took his phone. I tried Alessandro’s phone but there was no answer. Salvatore had me memorize Mackenna’s number before, so I called her hoping someone was there. I need help.”

“Is the door locked?”

“Yes,” she hiccupped. “He crumpled to the floor and there’s a lot of b***d. Do you think I killed him?”

Nuncio was texting furiously to his brother. “Listen Dulce, my cousin Lucius is coming into your apartment. He will be there in about four minutes. I want you to stay there. When he gets there, if it’s safe for you to come out of the bathroom, he’s going to say my girlfriend’s name. Do you know my girlfriend’s name?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I hear noises out there.”

“You stay where you are, and you do not come out of the room until you hear the safe word.” Nuncio said. “Lay down in the bathtub just in case someone tries to fire the gun through the door, okay?”

“I don’t think I killed him,” she wailed as the sound of furious pounding on the door in the bathroom came from the phone. “He’s awake and he’s really mad.”

“Keep your head down.”

“He’s kicking in the door,” she was sobbing earnestly now.

Mackenna’s hands were over her mouth and tears were streaming down her face. “Your cousin needs to hurry. Four minutes is too long,” she hissed at Nuncio.

The sound of a gunshot echoed over the line and Mackenna gasped. “Dulce are you okay?”

“He’s shooting through the door. I’m laying in the tub like Nuncio said but I’m so scared.” She was crying hard into the phone and with every gun shot she screamed into the device.

Savannah was rocking at the end of the sofa and Mackenna was bawling as the woman’s screams filled their living room. The sound of the door splintering was followed by silence.

“Dulce?” Nuncio leaned over the phone. “What’s happening?”

“There’s someone else out there,” she whispered suddenly. “They’re speaking Italian but it’s so fast. I think it’s his own guard telling him to stop firing the gun in case the police officers come. He’s kicking the door again.” She sobbed. “What do I do?”

“Stay put,” he looked at his phone. “Dulce, stay put, Alessandro’s team with my cousin is there. They are entering your apartment. Stay down. Keep your head down.”

The sound of rapid gunfire could be heard and Mackenna gasped as Dulce shrieked at the sounds and then there was a noise as if she’d dropped the phone.

“This is insane,” Savannah wiped tears off her cheeks.

“I feel so helpless,” Mackenna whispered. “Dulce, what is going on?”

Dulce didn’t answer and Mackenna looked to Nuncio. “What is happening?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know.” He got closer to the phone. “Dulce, are you still there?”

She didn’t answer for several seconds and then the sound of her speaking again made them all sigh with relief, Nuncio gripping his chest.

“I dropped the phone outside the tub, and I was scared to get it,” she said into the phone.”I don’t hear anything out there at all. Should I go out?”

“No, you stay until you hear my girlfriend’s name. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she cried into the phone. “Oh, someone is saying Savannah. Can I go out now?”

Nuncio looked at his phone. “Yes, Dulce, run to the door, Lucius is going to get you out of there. Do what he says.”

She didn’t hang up the phone and the sound of Nuncio’s cousin telling her to keep her face buried in his shoulder and not look around. The sound of multiple people bustling around her and then someone instructing someone else to carry her out of the apartment to the car below.

A man’s voice came over the phone, speaking Italian. Nuncio grabbed the phone, took it off speaker and began speaking quickly.

Mackenna looked to Savannah to explain what he was saying, “they’re taking Dulce to the hospital. She’s been savagely beaten, and it maybe sexually assaulted,” she translated for her. She kept eavesdropping, “Salvatore and three other men are dead. They shot him in the head.”

She turned her head away and closed her eyes, trying to tune out the rest of the conversation. Salvatore had gone after Dulce and had hurt her for exposing him. The sound of footsteps coming into their apartment made her look up in surprise and Alessandro halted in front of Nuncio.

Nuncio told him, “She’s safe. Lucius has her out.”

Mackenna spoke, “he hurt her Alessandro. I think he hurt her bad.”

He was pale as he looked to Mackenna and then moved to her and tilted her chin. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. We’re fine.” She whispered holding his face in her hands. “She said he’d had her tied up since yesterday.” She felt the tears streaming down her face. “He’s had her twenty-four hours Alessandro. I can’t begin to think what he’s done to her in all the time he had her.”

She wiped her face. “You need to go to her and make sure she’s okay.” She pushed him. “Go Alessandro. Go take care of your friend. She needs you.”

“You need me.”

Mackenna watched as the tears streamed down his face, obviously torn about whether he stayed with her or went to his friend’s side. “Alessandro, I’m not going anywhere. I will be here when you come home. Come home to me but go help your friend. She needs you.”

He kissed her mouth lingeringly and stood away from her. He pointed to Nuncio, “do not let her out of your sight. She is my world.” He turned back to Mackenna when he reached the door. “I will come home.”

“You better or I’m coming to Milan to drag your a*s home,” she whispered, her blue eyes watery and sad. “Alessandro,” she called as he put his hand on the doorknob. He looked at her. “I love you.”

He rushed back to her and kissed her again, “I love you too. I’ll call as soon as I touch down.”