Shadow Warrior (Shadow Riders 4)

“I sent them all to Italy,” Taviano said. “As soon as I knew our family might once again be under attack, I thought it best to remove them from danger. Amo and Lucia only know that we wanted them to take Nicoletta to Italy and Sicily. They were more than delighted to surprise her with a long vacation.”

“I’m making certain my staff is protected,” Vittorio said. “And also, Katie Branscomb. He’s been in her home already. I had Tomas and Cosimo talk to her last week and explain the danger. I offered to put her up in the Ferraro hotel and she agreed to move there until this is over. They’re with her now.”

Vittorio glanced at his sister. Tomas and Cosimo Abatangelo were Emmanuelle’s regular bodyguards, but lately they’d been used as roving guards, going to whoever needed them the most. Emmanuelle sent him a small smile as if she had it covered. Each member of his family present in his home had ridden the shadows to get there, which meant leaving their bodyguards behind.

“We’ll keep someone on her,” Stefano said.

“Thank you. Grace will be relieved to know she’s safe. If he can’t get to us through our homes, he’s likely to come at us another way,” Vittorio said.

“Grace’s apartment is being watched so hopefully we’ll know when he’s there,” Taviano said. “In the meantime, we’ve made it look as though Grace has been there on and off. Let’s put her phone in her apartment as soon as the Grecos have the photographs they need.”

“That’s done,” Vittorio said. “You can have the phone.”

Ricco flashed Vittorio a grin as he took the cell phone. “It will make him crazy that he missed her. He’ll need to camp there in the ducts, staring into her apartment.”

“Maybe,” Vittorio said. “He’s cunning. He’s been eluding the law for a very long time, which means he’s extremely intelligent.”

“True,” Stefano agreed, “but those text messages prove he’s unraveling. That means he’s going to make a mistake. We have to be there to nail him if he does.”

“What about the meeting with the Saldis?” Vittorio asked. “Is that still on?” He almost wished it wasn’t, although he knew they had to get it over with. If war between the two families was coming, they had to know.

“Absolutely. Be at the hotel tomorrow at four.”

“I’ll be bringing Grace with me. She’ll be able to meet Francesca if Francesca is up to it. It sounds like things have changed in the last few days.”

Stefano nodded. “Doc wants her to stay off her feet as much as possible. He says things are fine with the baby, but she’s had a little too much activity, meaning a few contractions. He’s had a room with all the equipment he needs set up in our home. If the contractions continue or get stronger, he’ll give her some medication to stop them. The meds would be hard on her.”

Vittorio could see why Stefano had banned Eloisa, with her abrasive personality, from seeing Francesca. He stood up. “I appreciate you all coming here. Doc says Grace is almost ready to start physical therapy, which means I won’t worry about her losing her arm.”

“She’s probably losing her mind being so helpless,” Giovanni said and got up as well. “I know that was the worst for me.”

“That’s right, Gee.” Vittorio said. “You don’t get to use the shadows like a normal person, you have to drive.”

“Normal people don’t ride shadows.” Ricco pointed out the obvious. “They drive. Guess what that makes you, brother.”

“Don’t say it,” Giovanni said, and gave his brother the finger.

Vittorio waited until his family left and then he went to find Grace. She was sitting in her favorite spot in the garden, looking out over the lake. She looked up when his shadow fell over her and then entwined with her shadow. The physical jolt of sexual awareness hit him hard, just as it did her.

She tipped her head back and smiled at him. Just that—she smiled, and his heart started tripping. Their joined shadows had already sent hot blood rushing through his veins. He had thought to hold a part of himself back until she made up her mind. Getting his heart broken wasn’t on his list of things he wanted to experience. But the effect of her welcoming smile told him it was too late. He’d already fallen.

“I think that was the longest I’ve been away from you in over four weeks,” she greeted. “It’s weird because I’ve spent a lifetime alone, but I found myself waiting for you. I even thought about going to look for you. Isn’t that strange?”

He shook his head. “I didn’t much like being away from you, either.” He crouched down beside her chair and framed her face with both hands. “I miss you when we’re not connected.”