HOW TO: Hide a Baby (The Salvatore Brothers, Book #1): The Salvatore Brothers #1 - Luc

by Day Leclaire

  She turned to Luc. “Get the manager before that child kills himself,” she ordered.

  Luc simply grinned. “Be glad it isn’t closer to Christmas. This place turns into a real zoo, then.”

  “You’ve been here before?” she asked in astonishment.

  “Of course. Haven’t you?”

  “Not recently. And then, only as research,” she admitted, eyeing the determined climber. “And if I’m very lucky, I never will again.”

  “Don’t be such a spoilsport.” He reached above her, plucked the squirming youngster off the shelf and set him on the floor. Hollering in protest, the boy rounded a corner and disappeared from view. “I do all my Christmas shopping here. My brothers count on it.”

  “Your brothers are grown men,” she informed him.

  “Yes, but they’re kids at heart. And they like toys.” He grabbed a cart. “Let’s get down to business. Follow me.”

  “Where are you going?” Without answering, he headed toward the middle of the store. Grace scurried behind. If she didn’t keep up with him, she’d get lost. And chances were excellent they wouldn’t find her for at least the next five months, assuming she survived that long.

  Presently he stopped in the infant department. “Take a look at these. Baby pouches.” Without further ado, he ripped a carton apart, removed the pouch and tossed the empty box in the shopping basket. “Let’s try it on for size.”

  Grace watched, appalled. “Good grief, Luc. You can’t do that. They’ll arrest you for shoplifting or something.”

  He shot her a look of disapproval. “Shoplifting implies leaving without paying. I would never do such a thing. The box is in my cart, plain as day. And I have an eager little plastic gold card revving in my pocket.”

  “But—”

  “Relax, Grace. They know me here.” He frowned at the sling, examining it from various angles. “How the hell does this thing work?”

  “Maybe if we read the directions?” she suggested.

  “Directions are for amateurs.”

  “We are amateurs,” she reminded gently. She picked up the box. “It looks like you fasten the two top straps around your neck and the bottom two around your waist.”

  “I know that, but it doesn’t show which is the top and which is the bottom. Wait a sec . . . Got it.” He fastened the belts and snaps and grinned, spreading his arms wide. “What do you think? Is Toni ready for her first ride?”

  Grace bit her lip to keep from smiling. “No.”

  He frowned. “No?”

  “You put her in the way it is now and you’ll dump your precious niece right on her cute little head.”

  He peered down at the pouch. Sure enough, the opening for the head pointed south, the leg holes pointed north. “Well, shoot,” he muttered, nonplussed.

  A salesgirl appeared at his elbow, white teeth flashing, lashes fluttering. She flipped her long, bleached hair over one shoulder and planted a hand on her trim hip. Her name tag read, “Hi! Debbi can’t wait to assist you!”

  “Why, Mr. Salvatore,” Debbi-who-couldn’t-wait-to-assist squealed. At least it sounded like a squeal to Grace. A squeal reminiscent of those emitted by the porcine family. “You haven’t visited for ages. Is there something I can help you with?”

  He gestured at the baby sling strapped to his chest. “What am I doing wrong?” he asked with a helpless, men-are-all-thumbs-when-it-comes-to-baby-contraptions grin.

  “You put it on upside down,” Grace pointed out acerbically.

  Debbi pursed her lips. “I think you put it on upside down.” She made the proclamation as though she’d just invented the thought.

  Removing the sling, she flipped it around and then re-fastened it. In the process her hands managed to investigate every square inch of Luc’s torso. Clearly satisfied with the results of her investigation, as well as the position of the sling, she gave the pouch a final pat.

  Unable, or unwilling, to explain her reaction to dear Debbi, Grace stepped forward the second the salesgirl stepped back. She helped Luc slip Toni into the sling, all the while doing her level best to flash her engagement ring under Debbi’s nose. “That’s perfect,” she announced and even managed a friendly smile in the salesgirl’s direction. “Antonia’s the first Salvatore girl in . . . how many generations, Luc?”

  “A lot.”

  “The family’s thrilled. Absolutely thrilled. Aren’t they, Luc?”

  “Oh, they’re thrilled, all right.”

  Debbi’s gaze bounced from Luc to Antonia to Grace to Grace’s ring and she sighed. “How thrilling.” For some reason, she sounded less than thrilled. “Well, if I can help you with anything else, don’t hesitate to call.”

  “Oh, we will,” Grace assured her. Yes, they’d definitely hesitate before calling. “Buh-bye.”

  With a final, wistful glance in Luc’s direction, Debbi trotted down the aisle.

  “Grace, Grace, Grace.” Luc shook his head, his eyes glittering with laughter. “What happened to my cool, aloof assistant?”

  She lifted her chin. “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.” A long moment of silence stretched between them, and she could feel the hot color mount her cheeks. Desperate to escape his probing gaze, she made a pretense of checking to be certain Toni rested comfortably in the sling. Not that she fooled anyone. The baby, tucked close to Luc’s heart, slept peacefully in her little pouch.

  “What’s next on the list?” Grace asked, unable to stand the strained silence for another instant.

  “You.”

  Her eyes widened and she took a hasty step back. “Wh—what?”

  He cupped her elbow in one hand and pushed the cart with his other. “All good temporary mothers need a stroller. So next we get you a stroller.” A wicked grin curving his mouth. “What did you think I meant?”

  She cleared her throat. “Why, precisely that, of course.”

  He released a gusty sigh. “I see you haven’t used them all up.”

  She gave him a suspicious look. “Used up what?”

  “Your quota of fibs.”

  With that, he headed toward the center of the store where racks of strollers were displayed. He tried several models, pushing them about, cornering sharply to see if they tipped. He even pulled down a double stroller for inspection.

  “We only have one baby,” Grace pointed out.

  “With all the junk she needs, we could use the other side for storage.”

  Actually, he had a point. “What about the one over here? It’s dual purpose. You can hook the two strollers together to form a double or separate them into individual units.”

  “Sold.” He removed a large box from the shelves and fitted it into the cart. “Now for the serious stuff.” He grinned down at her. “Toys.”

  Two hours—and three carts—later, Grace called a halt to his shopping binge. “This is ridiculous, Luc. The baby can’t use a tenth of what you’re buying. It’ll go to waste.”

  “Don’t fuss,” Luc replied, swooping up a dozen rattles. “Anything Carina and the baby can’t use, I’ll donate to charity. Relax and enjoy yourself. Spend some of my money. Better yet, spend a lot of my money. I’m having fun. Aren’t you having fun?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Then, not another word of argument.” He turned on her, his gaze intent. “I’m tired of Office Grace. Send her home and let the other Grace come out and play. The one who wears pale green dresses that match her eyes and tight, short skirts with soft wool sweaters. I want to get to know that Grace.”

  She shook her head, suddenly afraid. She was out of her depth and knew it. All her lies were steadily unraveling and soon she’d be exposed and vulnerable. She didn’t dare consider what might happen then.

  To her relief, Toni chose that moment to put an end to both their conversation and the shopping spree. Finished with her nap, she complained bitterly and at great volume at being trapped for so long in the baby sling.

  “Time for a bottle, young lady,” Grace decreed, li
fting her off Luc’s chest. “If you’ll let me have the diaper bag, Luc, I’ll go feed and change Toni while you give your credit card a workout.”

  He shoved through one of the carts and unearthed a bottle warmer. He ripped through the packaging with as little regard as he had with the baby sling. “Here you go. Give this a try. I’m sure they won’t mind you heating up Toni’s bottle in the employee lounge. I’ll come and get you once I’ve loaded the car.”

  Grace glanced at the overflowing carts and grimaced. “Now I know why families buy minivans and SUVs when they start having kids.”

  Luc snapped his fingers. “Vans. That’s what I forgot to buy. Let’s see, I think they’re over on aisle eight next to the Lear jets.”

  “Very funny.” Grace rocked the tearful Toni, gently patting her back. “We girls will be in the lounge with our feet up enjoying a warm mug of formula. See you in a while.”

  To her surprise, Luc joined them a few minutes later. Though why it should surprise her, she didn’t know. She suspected the powers-that-be at Toys-a-Trillion tended to jump through hoops when Luc Salvatore walked into their store, especially if he habitually spent as much as he had today. By the time she’d finished with Toni, the most important of their selections were paid for. Luc arranged for items he wanted for immediate use to be loaded in the car, the rest were promised for delivery the next day. It amazed her what a lot of charm and even more money could accomplish.

  After fastening Toni into her car carrier, Grace buckled her seat belt and sighed. “I need to get back to work so I can rest,” she joked.

  “You can rest tonight. I’ve invited my brothers over for dinner, and you can relax while they entertain Toni.”

  She glanced at him. “Do they know about her?”

  He started the engine and pulled out of the parking space. “I thought I’d surprise them. That way I can impress on them the importance of keeping this information quiet until Brand and Carina return.”

  “And do your brothers always obey you?”

  He inclined his head. “They tend to find it in their best interest to do things my way.”

  “Because you’re the oldest?”

  He grinned. “That, and the fact that Salvatore Enterprises has provided startup funds for their individual business enterprises. He who controls the purse strings . . .”

  “Calls the tune?”

  “The metaphor may be mixed, but the meaning’s accurate enough.”

  Accurate, indeed. She nibbled her lip. If she were smart, she’d do well to remember who called the tune she danced to. And who controlled the future purse strings for Baby Dream Toys.

  “Grace! That’s the doorbell. Could you get it? I’m up to my elbows in . . . in real nasty stuff.”

  Crossing to the front hall, she opened the door. All four of Luc and Brand’s brothers stood grouped in the hallway arguing volubly. “Ten bucks, it’s good news.”

  “Fifteen, it’s bad.”

  “Twenty to one, he’s gone and got himself engaged.”

  “Not Luc. Not a chance. I’ll bet twenty-five dollars you’re all wrong.”

  The door across the hall opened and Mrs. Bumgartle peered out. “What’s going on there? Who’s gambling?”

  “Hello, Mrs. Bumgartle,” the four chorused a cheerful greeting.

  “Don’t give me any of your lip,” she retorted. “Gambling’s illegal in this state, you know.”

  “It’s just a friendly wager,” Soren assured her gravely. “Just trying to figure out what Luc’s up to.”

  “He’s up to no good. No good a’tall,” she snapped. “Now, stop cluttering the hall, or I’ll call the building manager.” With that, the door banged closed.

  Grace cleared her throat. “Would you gentlemen care to come in?”

  “Oh, hello, Grace,” Soren said, leading the way into the apartment. “Something special going on?”

  “No cheating!” the twins, Matteo and Dante, exclaimed in unison. “And no fair pumping Grace.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” Soren said calmly, giving her a brotherly peck on the cheek. “Anyone else here?” he whispered in her ear.

  “Just Antonia,” she whispered back.

  He lifted a speculative eyebrow. “Antonia, huh? Pretty?”

  “Gorgeous. Short dark hair, huge brown eyes, a smile that could melt a snowman’s heart and . . .”

  “And?” D’Angelo prompted, coming up behind them.

  She spared Angel a smile. “And little bitty dimples on all four cheeks.” All four brothers stared in shock. Barely able to suppress a smile, she led the way to the living room. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

  Dante folded his arms across his chest, his black leather jacket stretched tight across broad, muscular shoulders. “Come on, Grace. Give. What’s going on?”

  She shook her head. “I can’t tell. It’s Luc’s story.”

  “Brand’s story, to be exact,” Luc corrected from the doorway.

  The expressions on the four Salvatore brothers were all she could have hoped for. Ranging from bemusement to shock, they stared in absolute silence at the baby in Luc’s arms.

  Soren was the first to recover, his expression as calm and controlled as ever. “This is Antonia of the four dimples, I assume. Logical, now that I consider everything Grace said.”

  “She’s yours?” Matteo shook his head with a grin. “And here I thought Dante was the bad boy of the Salvatores. At least he hasn’t shown up with a baby no one knew anything about.”

  “Nor will I,” Dante retorted.

  Luc silenced them with a look. “She’s Brand’s daughter.”

  Matteo snapped his fingers. “Brand and what was her name? The little foreign exchange student he was so crazy about. Carina! Is it hers?” He shook his head, not bothering to wait for confirmation. “I’ll bet her parents had a thing or two to say when they heard about this little incident.”

  “You’ve met Carina?” Grace questioned in surprise.

  “Once,” he confirmed. “Briefly. Brand was very protective. He didn’t encourage me to stick around for long.”

  Dante nudged his twin in the ribs. “Afraid his big, bad boy brother would steal his love away?”

  Matteo grinned. “I would have, given half the chance. She’s quite something.”

  “Why don’t we get dinner started and I’ll bring you up to date,” Luc ordered.

  Within minutes all five Salvatores were gathered in the kitchen, working as a well-orchestrated team to prepare dinner. Grace watched in amusement. They’d obviously done this before. Each took a different duty, occasionally asking Grace to pass a pot or a measuring cup or utensil. Toni, delighted to be the center of so much masculine attention, passed from one set of arms to the next.

  “Dinner will be in twenty minutes,” Luc announced. “Dante, set the table.” He turned to Grace. “And you, my fine beauty, may go change out of your office clothes and into something more festive. Tonight, I feel in the mood to celebrate.”

  Four pairs of eyes, turned in Grace’s direction, each revealing a range of reaction from astonishment to speculation to frank interest. She could feel an intense blush blossom across her cheeks. Apparently, her masquerade remained a success with four of the five Salvatores present. She didn’t know whether to be pleased or insulted.

  Noticing his brothers’ reactions, Luc explained, “Will-William, her fiancé, has her in disguise. For some reason, he wants her to look like a bag lady. I haven’t quite figured out why. I will, though.” His jaw set and his eyes filled with a combination of threat and promise. “I will.”

  “A disguise?” Matteo asked, intrigued. “Like in the movies?”

  His twin brother, Dante, approached. “You mean all I have to do is . . .”

  Before she could protest, he whipped off her glasses. From behind, Soren slipped the pins from her hair, fluffing the wayward curls around her face and shoulders. “This isn’t fair,” she protested. “Stop it!”

  Angel advanced next
, and she knew from his mischievous grin that he intended to investigate what lay beneath her bulky wool suit. Apparently, so did Luc. Sweeping her clear of his brothers’ clutches, he gave her a gentle push toward the door.

  “Put on the green dress,” he told her.

  And by the remorseless gleam in his golden eyes, she knew it wasn’t a request.

  Chapter 6

  The Great Lie

  Still Day 338 and Grace’s deception is fast unraveling . . .

  Grace spent fifteen of the next twenty minutes debating whether or not to wear the green dress. Uppermost in her mind was Dom and his reaction should he discover she’d spent several nights at Luc’s apartment. Did Luc’s brothers know she’d spent the previous night? Or that she’d also be staying tonight? Probably. Why else would she have a change of clothing here? If they figured it out, Dom would eventually learn the truth from them. She couldn’t very well ask them not to mention it. What excuse could she give?

  She sank onto the edge of the bed. This was getting too complicated. Perhaps she should give up her disguise. Or what was left of her disguise. If Dom found out, she’d be frank. She’d explain the situation to him and pray he’d understand. After all, she’d only been trying to help his family.

  Despite that one rather tumultuous kiss, her relationship with Luc hadn’t gotten too far out of hand. Until Toni’s advent into their lives, they’d had no real personal involvement at all. What else could she have done? Carina and Brand dumped their baby in Luc’s lap, then took off for parts unknown. Should she have refused her aid? Left Luc and Toni to fend for themselves? It wasn’t in her nature to be so cold and uncaring. Surely Dom wouldn’t hold that against her.

  Would he?

  Giving up on such a fruitless debate, Grace reluctantly pulled the green dress from the closet. She’d bought it a month ago to wear home for Christmas. The trip was a gift to herself for having completed her year’s sojourn at Salvatore’s, and she’d wanted to treat herself to something special. Something spectacular. And the silk dress certainly qualified on that front. Even shopping for it had been fun.