The Marine's Virgin Lover (7 page)

“I. Did. Not. Panic. Who the hell are you?” Rachel was out of patience, exhausted from having dealt with two cranky babies all day long, and now this man had barged his way into her house, changed her kids diapers, and…. Stopping, she re-evaluated her kids once again. They had both quit crying momentarily, were both sporting dry diapers, and looked to be fine.

Turning back to the stranger, she asked, “What did you do?”

Chance watched amazed as the little spitfire turned into a pussycat. He wasn’t sure what had just happened, but suddenly she was looking at him like he was a knight in shining armor. Shaking his head, he asked, “I didn’t do anything. Just changed a couple of diapers.”

Rachel shook her head, “No. You must have done something. They have been fussing for hours without any sign of stopping. Now they’re both content? You must have done something.”

Rachel looked back at her sons and decided she really didn’t care what he’d done, as long as her children’s safety hadn’t been jeopardized. They were quiet, and if she could get him out of her house, she could finally sit down and rest for a few minutes. The boys would no doubt start up again soon.

Her sister and the pediatrician both had assured her that the boys’ colic would start to disappear as they got older, but after five months of inconsolable crying, Rachel was starting to doubt them both. She was so tired. Suddenly, she remembered the reason the strange man had come to her house.

Sitting down on the nearest piece of furniture, she braced herself for bad news before looking up at him. She momentarily forgot about her sister as she gazed up into his strong face. He looked so in control. How she longed to feel that way again. It seemed like a lifetime ago when she had felt in control of her world. First, the babies had been born a month early, and then Sam had been killed while deployed. Without Chelsea, she wouldn’t have made it. Bringing her thoughts back under control, she took a deep breath before asking, “What’s happened to my sister?”

Chance saw the exhaustion evident on Rachel Andrews face; it encompassed her entire body and he forgot why he was there for a moment. She needed someone to take care of her and her kids. How long had it been since she had gotten a goodnight’s sleep? One month? Two?

If things were this hectic with two little boys, why would her sister take on a six-month assignment? Why wouldn’t she stick around to help out?

“Nothing that I’m aware of. I need to ask you a few questions about your sister. Does the name Marco Bresi mean anything to you?”

Rachel cocked her head to the side as she considered the name, the last name seemed slightly familiar, but she couldn’t put the pieces together. Shaking her head, she replied, “No. Should it?”

Ignoring her question in lieu of his, he asked, “How about Trent or Brianna Coldwell?” Watching her carefully for any reaction or attempt to hide.

“You mean, the lady that’s pregnant? I saw her at the hospital last time I took the boys in for a check-up. She was cutting a ribbon in front of the new wing. I guess she’s pretty important?”

Chance couldn’t see any artifice in her face and considered that she was telling the truth, “To her husband she is. She gave birth to a little girl earlier today.”

Rachel smiled at that news, “Lucky her.”

Chance sobered, “Not really.”

Rachel was caught off-guard, “What do you mean? Is something wrong with the baby? I can’t imagine that. Even though my two keep me going 24/7, I was so relieved after they were born and the doctor said they were okay.”

“The baby is fine. Unfortunately, she’s missing.”

Rachel let that statement sink in, “Missing? Like, in someone took her from the hospital, missing?”

Chance nodded, again watching her for any reaction. All he saw was a deep concern and sadness.

“Is that man you mentioned somehow involved?” When Chance nodded again, Rachel started to put the pieces together, “And you think my sister is involved in this?”

“I know she is. She was picked up by his limousine several hours ago at her agency. Why would your sister take on a six-month assignment when she’s needed here?”

Rachel shook her head, “It’s okay. I told her to take it. She’s supposed to travel internationally, and she’s so good with babies. It was a great opportunity and she’s given up so much to help me and the boys out already. Besides, six months isn’t that long.”

“Did she know Marco before taking the job?”

Rachel pondered that for a moment, “I’m sure she didn’t. She couldn’t even tell me where she was going to be staying before she left. She’s supposed to call me tomorrow and give me the details.”

“Do you have any way of reaching her? In case of an emergency?”

“She does have a cell phone, but I already tried it over an hour ago. I couldn’t get the babies to stop crying and was hoping she would have some suggestions. It went straight to voicemail, so she probably has it turned off.”

Chance didn’t like this. Seth was depending upon him to get something useful and he was coming up with nothing. Taking a business card for MJI from his pocket, he scribbled his cell number on the back and then handed it to her, saying, “Would you please call me tomorrow when you find out where she’s staying? It’s really important that I speak with. You could even give her my number and she could call me.”

Rachel took the card, “Is she in trouble?”

“I really don’t know. Have her call me and I promise to do everything I can to help her.” Walking towards the front door, he turned at the last moment and offered, you might try putting some wet washcloths in the freezer and then letting the boys chew on them. It will help the swelling in their gums go down and ease their discomfort.”

“What?” Rachel looked back at her boys before replying, “They have colic. The doctor assures me that they will grow out it. I just hope it’s soon.”

Chance smiled, she was so tired he wondered if he should leave her alone with the boys, she hadn’t even realized that their fussiness was because they were both cutting several teeth. “Just give them the washcloths. They’re not colicky, they’re teething.”

Rachel turned and stuck a finger in both boys’ mouths, amazed at the sharp little ridges she felt on their swollen gums. Smiling for the first time today, she turned back to thank the man, only to find he had already let himself out of the house, quietly shutting the door behind him. She was sadly disappointed and quickly looked at the card. He had left his phone number, but not his name. Her knight in shining armor has just disappeared and she hadn’t even had a chance to thank him.

“Trent?”

Trent heard the soft voice and turned from where he stood by the hospital window, “Bri, how are you feeling, baby?” Seeing the tears well up in her eyes, he hurried around the bed to take her into his arms, being careful of her recent stitches.

“Where is she?” Brianna sniffled, wanting to hold her baby so badly. She had dreamed of holding her child from the first moment she had felt her move. And now, because Marco couldn’t accept his daughter’s death, she might never get to hold her.

“Shush. Shawn and his team are working on several leads right now. Hopefully we’ll know something soon.”

Brianna nodded, that sounded so good. She really needed to hear some bit of good news to keep her hope up. Tipping her head up, she looked at her husband and was so grateful for his strong support. He was her rock.

“Uhm… I was thinking...,” she began.

Trying to lighten the mood, Trent replied, “Uh oh. That’s not normally a good thing.”

Brianna smiled at his jest, “Well, it is this time. I was thinking that maybe we should decide upon a name. We can’t keep calling her ‘baby,’ and maybe if we put forth some positive energy, she’ll be returned to us faster.”

Trent hugged her close and then tipped her chin up, taking her mouth in a slow kiss, he tried to offer her comfort and peace. He let his tongue stroke her gently before pulling away and giving her one of his secret smiles, “You, my dear wife, are brilliant. Let’s give her a name. What did you have in mind?”

Brianna told her pulse and her libido to settle down. She had just given birth, had her stomach cut open, and her child stolen; yet, one kiss from her husband and she was wishing for a lot more. Pulling herself from those pleasant thoughts, she started going through a list of names they had placed on their short list. “Well, we had narrowed it down to Amanda, Michelle, Kaydence, and Rebekah.”

Trent nodded his head, “I remember. Do any of them feel right to you?”

Brianna shook her head, “Not really. In fact, right now I don’t like any of them.” She was disgusted with herself; how hard could it be to pick out a baby name.

“How about we scrap that list and start again?”

“That sounds good. Can I see her again?” Brianna asked.

Trent took out his phone and pulled up the picture of their daughter, the only one they possessed. As he gazed down at it, he prayed that whoever was caring for her knew what they were doing. She was a beautiful baby and Trent made his body relax as anger started to take over again. He was one of the wealthiest men in the Denver area, yet, his money hadn’t protected his wife and child.

Brianna gazed at the child she had yet to hold and tried not to give in to the tears again. It was time for action. She was going to name her child and trust that she would be returned to her soon. “How about Faith?”

“Faith.” Trent let the name roll around in his head; he liked it. Nodding, he smiled at his wife, “Faith sounds good. Faith Coldwell. It’s perfect.” Kissing Brianna on the top of her head, he snuggled her close against his side as they both looked at the picture of their daughter – Faith Coldwell.

      
      
      
      
      
*****

Marco waited anxiously for the satellite phone to connect. They were somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean presently, but he needed to hear from Bruno or Mrs. Panturo that the Coldwell baby was still in good health and that the nurse hired to care for her was working out.

While he waited for the phone to connect, he thought about the conversation he had had with Brianna. She had sounded so heartbroken. He hadn’t realized that she’d not even held her daughter. He wondered how Serena would have felt if she had lived and never gotten to hold her child.

Marco wondered if that fact would have even mattered to his selfish daughter. She had acted like that from the time she was in her early teens, always demanding to be the center of attention. Had she finally crossed some invisible line that had caused Trent to pull his affections away from her?

Marco had heard the rumors about his daughter, but had trusted Trent to keep her in check. When she had taken the Milan job, he had been worried that she would revert back to her selfish lifestyle without Trent’s steady influence. When he had been told that Trent was headed to Milan, he had been relieved. The rumors about his daughter and the men she was keeping company with were disturbing to say the least. The only saving grace was that those rumors appeared to have been kept in Italy as the tabloids in the US hadn’t found out about her indiscretions.

When he had been informed of Trent’s hasty return to the states, Marco had tried to contact his daughter. He had intended to lecture her and urge her to grow up and salvage her relationship with Trent. She had ignored his calls and refused to return his messages.

Three weeks later, he had been contacted by the Milan authorities. Serena had driven her car off a bridge, killing both herself and her unborn child. In an act of rage? To get back at Trent? What had she hoped to accomplish? Or had she been hoping that she would only cause a stir and not really kill herself?

Marco shook his head. He had been over these questions so many times in the last three years and always came up with the same answer. Trent should have seen that Serena was unstable and taken her back to the US with him. He shouldn’t have left her in Milan in her self-destructive state.

“Hello?”

Shaking himself from his ruminations, he spoke, “Bruno? Marco here. Just checking to make sure everything is still alright?”

“Yes sir. I believe everything is fine. I spoke with the nurse not fifteen minutes ago and the child was sleeping. Mrs. Panturo did report that the nurse was asking some questions about the time of birth and such, but she was able to put her off.”

“Hum…well, any good nurse would probably do the same. If her questions continue, have her call me directly and I will put her mind at ease. No word from Trent?”

“No sir. Although, the media is running with the story. They aren’t releasing the name of the child taken, but they are circulating her picture.”

Marco digested this bit of information and then said, “Try to keep the nurse busy then. I don’t want her watching the news and getting suspicious. This trip couldn’t have come at a worse time, but it couldn’t have been avoided. I’ll try to wrap things up in the next several days and get back there. Call me if anything changes.”

“Will do.”

Marco disconnected the phone and leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He was relieved to hear that the baby was doing well, but he couldn’t get Brianna’s anguished pleas out of his head. Had he done the right thing? If revenge was supposed to make things better, why wasn’t he feeling ecstatic about now? Instead, he was questioning his own actions and wondering if he hadn’t made a huge mistake.

Shaking his head, he put those thoughts away. There was nothing to be done about it right now. He would complete his task in Italy and maybe by the time he returned to the states, he would have things figured out.

Seth was pleased that Chelsea had been able to keep up with him. The sun had just disappeared behind the mountains when they reached his SUV. He quickly strapped the child carrier into the back seat, putting it in the middle as Chelsea informed him she would be riding in the back as well.

After securing the remainder of their gear, he watched as she carefully buckled the child in and then herself. Easing the vehicle from its hiding place, he started back down the mountain. Looking at his cell phone, he was frustrated that he still didn’t have any service. He needed to contact Shawn or Trent and tell them he was bringing the child back.