threatening everyone’s safety. BAD and America needed Gabrielle for any hope of uncovering the Fratelli’s plan.
Once that was done, he’d find a way to free her even if it meant never seeing her again.
She entered the bedroom and headed for the closet as he passed her on his way to retrieve his observation camera. When he had everything back to the original condition, Carlos walked into the bedroom.
The bed was made. Her packed suitcase sat next to his duffel bag, the open closet empty and the bathroom neat as a pin. He should have been surprised by how quickly she’d packed, but he wasn’t.
Gabrielle stood in front of the window, staring out, her quiet profile sad and distant.
She’d lived in hiding for the last ten years. Not the pampered life of most women with her position and money. She had a strong core he’d only found in the agents he’d worked with at BAD. Gabrielle hadn’t been trained to do this type of work, but she was gutsy and determined to do her part.
He clicked on the CD player to cover any low conversation and walked to her. She didn’t turn around. He put his hands on her shoulders and kissed the back of her neck, which was tight with tension. If she weren’t dressed so perfectly, he could have her relaxed in ten minutes. Probably just as well. If he was going to burn that last condom, he didn’t want to rush.
In fact, the next time he peeled her down to bare skin he planned to have a case of condoms on hand.
“I also gave Gotthard a couple new things I found before finishing the installation,” Gabrielle murmured.
Carlos kissed her neck and she shivered. “What else?”
“I”-Gabrielle paused for a sigh-“can’t find Amelia’s itinerary for when she leaves again, so I’m wondering if she’s staying here after all. But I did find where Evelyn and Joshua are scheduled to travel to the U.S. later today with a group of students. Both of their parents are in the U.S. right now, too. Amelia may be going as well, but her schedule hasn’t been listed. Babette said the group of students leaving this afternoon is on a ten-country tour where they will speak to political leaders regarding the fuel crisis’s impact on the physically challenged. The first stop is the U.S., then Brazil. Maybe there’s a tie between the teens going to Brazil and the meeting your people think is happening in South America with the oil minister.”
“We’d have a thread to follow if Amelia’s father was involved in oil drilling or fuel distribution, but he’s in coffee bean production.”
Gabrielle shrugged. “It’s all so bizarre, but I believe in Linette. I have a sick feeling these kids are targeted for something dangerous. Maybe after all these years Linette’s father will have mellowed some and let her mother talk to me.”
“What do you think you’ll find out?” Carlos stared over her shoulder at the quiet hills and trees, wishing he could stop time long enough to enjoy a stroll with her.
Another gentle shrug. “I don’t know, but maybe something that would shed light on what really happened to Linette. She’s involved on some level with the people behind this, and I believe it’s involuntarily.”
Carlos reserved judgment since he couldn’t place unquestioned faith in someone he’d never met, but Gabrielle’s trust weighed heavily toward convincing him she was right.
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling this incredible woman against his chest. Holding her felt so right, so natural, as if they had always been together.
She sighed heavily.
“What?” he asked.
“Italy is just a speed bump, right? Joe will still hand me over to Interpol.”
He closed his eyes, wishing for an answer that would ease her worry, but he wouldn’t lie to her. That would be cruel.
“Maybe not.” That was the best he could offer, for now.
Gabrielle was silent for a long time.
He turned her to face him. “What are you thinking about?”
Worried eyes met his. “It’s silly, but we have to fly to Milano. Roberto lives there. I met him the first time while searching for Linette. He spends the bulk of his time there.”
“Milano is a huge city and we’ll be leaving the airport immediately to go north to Bergamo, but you don’t have to go.”
She hesitated before admitting, “You’re right. He can’t know that I’m there. I doubt any paparazzi even remember what I look like since I’ve been in hiding so many years.”
She answered too quickly to suit Carlos. The idea of being that close to Roberto clearly scared Gabrielle. He closed his eyes for a second, cursing the dog for the fear he’d instilled in her. “I won’t let him near you.”
“Oh, he isn’t the problem,” she scoffed. “Roberto would never risk getting injured, not so much as a scratch that might lower his screen-star value. He would, however, send someone else to do his dirty work.”
“Then you aren’t going.”
She pulled back. “Yes, I am. I’m not worried about me. I don’t want to put you at risk. You won’t know what to watch out for. You don’t even have a gun with you.”
“If that’s all you’re worried about, then don’t.” He trailed a finger along her face. “I’ve faced worse than anyone he could send, and I’m just as dangerous without a gun as with one. He’s an amateur, and besides, he’d have to know you were here or that we’re going to Milano.”
“Good point.” She gave Carlos a wan smile.
His insides were telling him not to take Gabrielle to Bergamo, but he had to find out what the Fratelli were planning.
Last year’s viral attack appeared to have been some sort of test.
What was happening now could be the real thing. But what?
A knock at the door ended the debate. They had to go. Carlos and Gabrielle followed a rigid Pierre and a porter who carried their luggage to the waiting limousine.
LaCrosse stood near the open door to the car. “Please accept our deep appreciation for your expertise and coming to help us, Mademoiselle Tynte Saxe.” He extended an envelope to her.
Gabrielle started to accept the funds, then paused, seeing LaCrosse through adult eyes. She admired him for his dedication to the school and students. She believed he would spend the money as a treat for the students if she requested it.
“I have an idea for how to use this payment,” she said, pulling her hand back. “Keep the money and build a fountain with a sitting area where the students may study outside.”
“That’s very generous of you,” LaCrosse said with warm eyes that had Carlos wondering if this guy was as genuine as Gabrielle believed him to be. “I’ll pass your request along to the Board of Regents.”
“Wouldn’t you rather see that money go to the endowment fund than something so frivolous?” Pierre interjected. His question was purely criticism of her idea, not a suggestion for a better donation vehicle.
LaCrosse slid a controlled glare at Pierre.
Carlos tightened his grip on her computer bag, considering how best to put the sniveling little bastard in his place for insulting her generous idea.
But Gabrielle handled it when she swung a formidable gaze at Pierre. “No, I don’t think the endowment fund needs to be fattened. Those coffers are filled annually by alumni and their families. I think this fabulous school deserves a spectacular fountain and sitting area.” She turned a softer look at LaCrosse. “Please understand that it isn’t a request. I’m entrusting those funds to be spent according to my wish. There is more than enough to complete the project. I’ll expect to see the fountain upon my return.”
Carlos grinned, not giving a damn what any of them thought. He loved watching her in action.
LaCrosse nodded and seemed pleased with her offer. “Of course. When do you plan to return?”
Carlos told LaCrosse and Pierre, “Sharing that information would interfere with keeping her safe. Best thing you can do is get busy building that fountain.” He curled one side of his mouth just to let Pierre know he enjoyed watching the scrawny pip-squeak be denied.
“We need to go,” Carlos told Gabrielle, who climbed into the backseat with him.
LaCrosse shut the door without another word and the car moved forward. Once they were on the open road, the driver received a call, spoke softly, then hung up. His eyes filled the rearview mirror.
“Mademoiselle, I have a message about your flight.”
Carlos hadn’t made flight reservations yet. He didn’t want anyone to have advance knowledge of Gabrielle’s schedule. What the hell was that all about?
