“How is she?” Luca asked after hitting the button to answer.
“We don't know yet. She’s in with the doctor. Francis said that someone beat her up bad and tried to rape her.”
Luca closed his eyes to stifle the rage building inside at the thought of someone hurting Tracy. He was concerned for her. An attack like that could leave unseen scars. The bastard lying dead on the floor got exactly what he deserved. Hell, Luca had attacked Tammy’s mother so he could just imagine what he would do to the stronzo that was crazy enough to lay a finger on his donna.
“Je serai là. À bientôt, mon amour,” he spoke softly in French.
“D’accord. Je t’aime.”
“I love you too, bella.”
Luca disconnected the call just as Lorenzo entered the living room.
“Done?”
“Si, boss.”
“Bene. Andiamo.”
Before they left, Lorenzo instructed the men to lock the house and leave discreetly. Luca climbed into the vehicle, and Lorenzo hopped in the driver’s seat.
“Where to?” Lorenzo asked as he pulled away from the curb.
“Northwestern Hospital.”
While en route to the hospital, Luca called to check on Beverly’s progress. He’d placed her in Mount Sinai Recovery Center of Arizona. By all accounts, Beverly was working the program. But until Luca was sure that she could stay clean, she was forbidden from contacting Tammy. At least once a week, either he or Lorenzo would call to check on her progress. In most all cases, drug rehabilitation was strictly anonymous. But Luca had shelled out enough cash to make sure that he’d be privy to any and all information regarding Beverly’s recovery. The doctors and counselors had been paid very well.
Luca wasn't even sure if Tammy even wanted to see her mother again. After the night that Beverly approached them on the street, Tammy never spoke of her again. Luca planned to talk to Tammy about her mother, but only when he was satisfied that she was well on the road to recovery. He wasn't going to allow anyone to hurt the woman he loved. Not even the woman that gave birth to her.
VICTORIA
“Do you want me to call your parents?” Victoria asked Tracy.
“Are you on crack? Hell naw! They would die trying to get here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. It’s bad enough that Jack’s parents are here. Y’all done worried them poor folks to death. Is everything with y’all a damn family affair?”
“Yes,” Victoria chuckled. “And you're family so get used to it.”
Ignoring Victoria’s comment, Tracy narrowed her eyes and said, “Francis knows that I’m pregnant.”
“For real? How? Did you finally tell him?” Victoria asked in a hushed voice.
“Wait…what?” Tammy chirped. “No, heffa, I didn't tell him. He just knew.”
“Wait…you're—”
Tammy couldn't get a word in.
“How?” Victoria asked sincerely. She knew that she hadn't said anything to anyone. She hoped that Tracy would believe that.
“I don't know,” Tracy said with a shrug.
“I didn't say a thing to anyone. I swear,” Victoria implored.
“Pregnant?” Tammy asked. “When—”
“I know, Vic. You can't have a secret with these men around,” Tracy surmised.
But Victoria knew that that wasn't true. She and Luca had been keeping a secret for quite some time. Jack, or no one else, knew what really happened to Katia Romanov, the Russian woman that had kidnapped and tortured her and her in-laws.
“If you bitches don't stop acting like I’m not here,” Tammy said through gritted teeth.
Victoria looked over at Tammy, and then Tracy. It wasn't her place to tell Tracy’s news.
“I’m pregnant. A couple of months. Francis is the father,” Tracy blurted.
The broad smile on Tammy’s face made Victoria smile. She wanted to hold off on expressing her joy over Tracy’s pregnancy because she didn't know if Tracy’s plan was to keep the baby.
“Oh, God. I’m so glad that I ain't the only one that knows. Now we can talk about it,” Victoria gushed with excitement.
“Calm down. I haven't even told you my decision.”
Tammy laughed out loud.
“What are you laughing at?” Tracy questioned.
Victoria smirked because she knew exactly why Tammy was laughing.
“I’m laughing because you somehow believe that you actually have a choice.”
“I do!” Tracy snapped.
That time, it was Victoria who couldn't contain her laughter.
“If you want, I’ll be your Lamaze coach,” Victoria giggled.
“Shut up, both of y’all!”
“Okay. Okay,” Tammy surrendered.
When the laughter died, Victoria studied her friend. She was struggling to stay in the conversation. It was as if she wanted to do anything but think of what she’d been through. Victoria knew the signs because she faced the same struggles from time to time. But she also knew that what Tracy was feeling couldn't be avoided. Victoria placed her hand on top of her friend’s, wishing that she could make the pain and fear evaporate. When Tracy jumped from unexpected contact, tears welled in Victoria’s eyes.
“I’m sorry, Vic,” Tracy whispered.
“Don't you dare apologize. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry this happened to you,” Victoria said through tears.
Tracy removed the wall, finally revealing her true emotions. She let out a painful grunt and…cried.
Victoria climbed into the bed next to her, careful not to cause her more pain. She held her friend close and allowed her to release the hurt, fear, and pain of being brutalized and violated.
Tammy placed a gentle kiss on Tracy’s shoulder and left the room, leaving Victoria to comfort her best friend. They were all friends, and they were all family. But before there were the Storms, before there was the Savellis, there was Tracy and Victoria. That bond was impenetrable. And as Tracy cried in Victoria’s arms, Victoria was determined to pass the strength of that bond to her best friend.
“Shhhh,” Victoria whispered into Tracy’s hair. “You’re gonna be okay. I promise.”
“I-I know,” Tracy whimpered.
Tracy sniffed and wiped away tears with the back of her hand. She looked up at Victoria with sad red eyes. “I thought of you,” Tracy whispered.
“Huh?”
“I-I thought about you, about all of the shit you've been through. I tried to be strong like you, but I couldn't. I can't fight, Vic. I can't shoot. I’m just not strong like you,” Tracy admitted through tears.
Victoria’s mouth flew open. She couldn't believe what Tracy was saying to her.
“Tracy, what the fuck are you talkin’ about?! You did the exact same thing I did. You survived!”
Tracy pressed her face to Victoria’s breast and closed her eyes. She took a cleansing breath and exhaled.
“I think Francis killed him,” Tracy revealed.
“Francis? Why do you think that?”
“When Paolo, the really big one with the scary blue eyes, took me out to the car, I heard Will screaming at the top of his lungs. Then I heard a gunshot. That blood that’s all over Francis ain't all mine.”
Victoria shook her head. Francis?
“Tracy, maybe one of Luca’s guys were in there with him.”
“No, Vic. It was Francis. He was alone. He tortured Will. Then, he killed him.”
Victoria was somewhat shocked. Francis was a gentle soul. He read the classics, he appreciated the arts, and he never raised his voice. But…he had strong feelings for Tracy. And she was carrying his baby. Victoria then realized that Jack would have done the same…in a heartbeat.
“Good,” Victoria whispered. “He saved me the trouble.”
CHAPTER 12
TRACY
The bright sun pierced through the window. Tracy squinted, trying to adjust. She looked around the small hospital room. She had been moved to the maternity ward
where the obstetrician on call ordered an ultrasound along with other tests.
Tracy smiled at the sight of Francis sleeping soundly in a chair that was too small for his big body. His head was leaning back against the wall behind him, and his long legs stretched nearly to the middle of the room. Victoria was curled in a ball in a recliner with her face hidden under a blanket.
Tracy climbed out of bed and tipped past them to get to the washroom. She used the toilet, washed her hands and face, and brushed her teeth. She looked over at the shower and cringed. Tracy had issues with public toilets, but public showers outright gave her the willies. Since the doctor said that she and the baby were doing well and she’d be released later that day, Tracy decided to wait until she got home.
She carefully turned the knob to open the washroom door without waking Vic and Francis, but they were already awake. She could hear their voices before she walked into the room.
“Good Morning, Sunshine,” Victoria sang.
“Good Morning to you both,” Tracy responded.
“Si, good morning,” Francis grunted. He stood and stretched his long limbs. Sleeping in the small chair couldn't have been comfortable in the least.
“Francis, you shouldn't have slept in that chair all night. Vic, why didn't you send him home?”
“Yeah, right,” Victoria scoffed. “You must have hit yo’ head. You know he wasn't about to go nowhere.”
Ignoring them both, Francis asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Better. I’m ready to go home.”
“You’ll stay at Jack and Victoria’s.”
Tracy shifted her weight from one foot to the other and folded her arms across her chest. “Excuse me?” she asked with narrowed eyes.
“Would you like for me to repeat it in Sicilianu?”
Francis smirked playfully. Although he was normally quietly commanding, she remembered that he did have a playful side. Tracy smiled in return and relaxed her arms. Sure she could go back and forth with him, but why would she? She wasn't quite ready to go back to her house anyway.
“Let me guess…you’ll be staying at Jack and Vic’s as well.”
“Si, for a week or so. I have business, and I don't want you to be alone.”
Tracy looked over at Victoria. She was displaying the goofiest of smiles.
“Da fuck you smiling at?” Tracy blurted.
“Watch your language, donna,” Francis scolded. “Get dressed, and I’ll go and find your doctor.”
Tracy stared at Francis’ back as he left the room.
“Whew, girl. He must've beat that pussy to death. I ain't never seen you let no man check you before,” Victoria teased.
“Shut up! He ain't checking nobody.”
“Yeah, okay. If you say so.” Victoria chuckled. “I bet yo’ ass be dressed before he gets back.”
FRANCIS
“Set the meeting in Italy. Si, Calabria. I have no desire to go to Belfast,” Francis said into his cellular phone.
“Not Belfast. This time the meeting will be in Dublin,” Luca informed.
“Dublin... Belfast…I’ll travel to neither.”
“Si. I’ll make the arrangements. But Francis, you know I can handle this alone if you need. I know that you prefer to be with Tracy.”
“And you have a wedding that you need to pretend to help with.”
Francis could hear the smile in Luca’s voice.
“I think that Tammy is on to me,” Luca chuckled. “I just want to say I do and push my bambino into her.”
“I suggest that you continue the ruse,” Francis advised.
“Si,” Luca said through laughter.
“Get me a final count and a distribution list. We’ll talk more when I return. Stay sharp.”
“Si, always. Congratulazioni per il tuo bambino.”
“Grazie, cugino.”
Francis ended the call and smiled at the thought of becoming a father. He’d never really thought about it. It wasn't that he didn't want children; he just didn't want to have children with the type of women that he kept around. His life hadn't allowed him enough time to invest in one woman, and he had never entertained the idea of changing his life.
Until Tracy.
He’d wanted her from the moment he laid eyes on her. Her beauty, intelligence, and sinful curves were magnetic. But there was more to Tracy. She was different. She often smiled, but she was unable to conceal the sadness behind her eyes. Francis understood that she had suffered a loss, and everything in him wanted to help her to heal. Francis had met women plagued by sadness before but, truthfully, their emotional state, however troubling, had never been a big concern to him. But once Tracy entered his life, everything changed. Francis had practically chased the stubborn woman. And if she wasn't carrying his child, she’d probably still be running.
Francis walked toward the nurse’s station. Since Tracy had been transferred to the third floor the night before, there was a different staff occupying the desk. Whereas the nurses from the night before seemed to fear him, the new staff was offering flirtatious smiles and lingering lustful looks. He smiled as he reached the nurses’ station and requested to speak with the doctor that had tended to Tracy the night before. An extra friendly nurse batted her lashes and promised to page the doctor. Francis thanked the woman and graced the other gawkers with a smile. Surely, the women were aware that his woman and unborn child were lying in a room just down the hall. That fact, apparently, was a non-factor to brazen women. But to Francis, it was the only factor.
Figuring that he had enough time, he headed to the elevator. He was going to find the gift shop and buy his donna some flowers.
When Francis returned to Tracy’s room, Dr. Cross, the obstetrician, was already speaking with her. But she wasn't alone. There were two detectives in the room. They seemed to be questioning Tracy about what had happened the previous night. The cops were looking at Francis suspiciously as if they were assessing whether or not Francis was responsible for Tracy’s injuries.
Francis was unbothered by their presence. Tracy knew exactly what to tell the police. He placed the flowers at the foot of Tracy’s bed and moved to stand beside her. Tracy hadn't gotten dressed as he instructed. Maybe it was a show of defiance on her part. Francis realized that Tracy was going to fight his authority every step of the way. But the sooner she came to realize the decisions he would make from then on would be for her safety and well-being, the better off she would be. After further thought, he figured that the presence of the detectives may have been the reason Tracy hadn’t been able to get dressed.
Once the detectives concluded their interview, they exited the hospital room, promising to find her unknown attacker and bring him to justice.
The doctor smiled at Francis. “Before I was interrupted, I was telling Tracy that the baby was strong and she would heal just fine. I wrote a prescription for prenatal vitamins. I also advised her to schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN. She should be receiving prenatal care and getting plenty of rest.”
Francis was confused.
“OB—?”
“An OB is a doctor for expectant mothers,” the doctor explained.
“Si…yes. I’ll see to it.”
“I’m sure of it,” Dr., Cross chortled.
Victoria and Tracy laughed, but Francis ignored the doctor’s remark and asked, “May we go?”
“Yes. The nurse will be in with discharge papers in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Tracy said with a smile.
It was good to see her smile, but as he looked at the bruises on her face, he wanted to shake Will alive so that he could kill him again.
CHAPTER 13
VICTORIA
Victoria stretched across the foot of her crowded bed and listened to Tammy go on and on about the inadequacies of her wedding planner. Tracy, Tammy, and Natasha had piled into her bed for some girl talk, but all they'd talked about so far were dresses, cakes, and menus. Tammy was becoming quite the “bridezilla.” She glanced ove
r at Tracy. Three weeks after her attack, her bruises had healed; at least the bruises that were visible to the naked eye. Though Tracy seemed fine, Victoria worried. Painful memories of the trauma that Tracy endured wouldn't easily go away. They left behind a residue. And as she watched Tracy pretend to be interested in anything that they were talking about, Victoria knew this to be true.
“So what are you doing today, Tracy?” Victoria asked, changing the subject.
Tracy blinked a few times when she realized that it was she that had been addressed.
“Oh… Um… Francis is taking me on a picnic in about an hour.”
“Awwwww… Ain't that sweet,” Tammy teased.
“Yep. It is,” Tracy responded, ignoring Tammy’s sugary tone.
“What are you guys doing today?” Tracy asked.
“I’m gonna go beat the shit out of my wedding coordinator,” Tammy responded.
“Yeah, we heard,” Natasha muttered under her breath, before saying, “Vic and I are getting ready to go to Walmart.”
“Walmart?” Tracy marveled. “It’s like ten billion dollars between the two of you, and you're going to Walmart?”
Tammy and Tracy laughed and exchanged high-fives.
“So…you think we go to Saks Fifth Ave for fucking paper towels?” Victoria questioned, drawing more laughter from her friends. “Besides, that’s Tasha’s favorite store. She loves that place.”
“This is true,” Natasha confirmed.
A knock at her bedroom door had Victoria yelling, “Come in.”
Luca entered and narrowed his eyes at them. “What are you hens cackling about?”
“Your annoying ass wedding,” Tracy chuckled.
“Be nice, donnas. My Bella will have the wedding of her dreams.”
“Thank you, baby,” Tammy chimed.
“Whatever,” Victoria scoffed. “What’s up, Luca?”
Beautiful Prey 4 Page 7
