Black Opal
Page 20
She reached a hand out to the empty side of the bed. Where was he? Getting up, she wrapped a sheet around her and headed for the living room. She opened the door a crack then froze at the sound of voices, one of them Johnny Morelly’s.
“You have to take better care of yourself, nephew. You’re my heir and will inherit the business one day.”
“Uncle, let’s go to my rooms. I don’t want to wake Sabina.”
Sabina quietly shut the door. A wave of nausea washed over her as she leaned against the wall barely aware of the feel of the cool painted drywall at her back. Mafioso. How could she have forgotten? Johnny had said something similar last night but she hadn’t paid attention, hadn’t wanted to.
Hot scalding tears forced their way past her eyelids. She wiped at them impatiently, flinging the warm liquid from her fingertips. She hurried to the closet and pulled out her suitcase. She had to get out of here. She’d finished her shows. There was no reason to stay.
Hurriedly, she tossed her clothes in her suitcase. If she waited ’til she saw Adam again, she might weaken. She loved him too much to ask him to choose between herself and his uncle. And she could not, would not, become involved with a mafioso.
After she packed, she threw on her clothes and called the airport to book a reservation on the next flight out. She bundled her hair on top of her head, grabbed her suitcase and put on a pair of oversized sunglasses then hurried to the door.
She opened it, looked up and down the hall then hurried to Bella’s room. She knocked, glancing at Adam’s door as she did so. Hurry. Hurry. She practically danced with impatience.
Bella opened the door, dressed in something pink and swishy.
Sabina pushed her inside and followed, shutting the door behind her.
Bella glanced at her. Her gaze traveled to her suitcase. She reached for her coffee cup sitting on the end table. “Going somewhere, shug?”
Sabina took a deep breath. “I’m going back to Italy. My flight leaves in two hours. I’ve called a cab. It should be here any minute but I wanted to say goodbye before I left.”
“Running away?” Bella asked astutely.
“No. Yes. I don’t want to make him choose between me and his uncle.” She shrugged helplessly, pushing her glasses that had fallen forward back up on her nose. “If he chooses me he’ll eventually hate me. You know how he loves his uncle.”
The noble sacrifice didn’t have the desired affect she’d hoped for.
“If you love him maybe you should have a little faith in him, shug,” Bella said sipping her coffee.
“If I love him how can I make him choose? He loves his uncle, passionately.”
“You of course would know best. What flight are you on?”
Sabina held out a slip of paper. “I wrote it all down for you in case you need to get hold of me.”
Bella reached over and hugged her. “Have a safe trip, shug. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other before long. I’ll tell Maureen goodbye for you. She’s still sleeping.”
Sabina nodded dumbly and walked to the door. She turned and took one last look at her friend. “Goodbye, Bella, I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too, shug. You better hurry. Don’t want you to miss your taxi. Ciao.”
Sabina looked out the door to be sure Adam wasn’t around then made her way blindly downstairs and to the waiting taxi.
As the taxi roared down street she sat feeling frozen. How could she leave him? What if she was making the worst mistake of her life?
The cab pulled in front of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. She took a last look around at the bustling hub. She would miss the United States but it would be good to be back in Italy among the comforting familiarity of the olive groves and villas and sunshine that turned the countryside to gold.
She concentrated firmly on home as she got her ticket, walked aimlessly around the airport and finally boarded the plane.
She walked through the portable tunnel that hooked the waiting area to the large silver plane. After being greeted by the cabin crew she made her way to first class and settled into a large comfortable seat. Thank the gods the seat beside her appeared vacant. She left on her dark glasses to hide the ravages to her face from her wild uncontrollable weeping.
For the thousandth time, Sabina asked herself how she could leave him. It was like she’d finally found her other half. Something she’d been unaware that she’d been searching for all her life. But if she loved him she couldn’t ask him to choose. Was she being melodramatic and stupid? It was for the best she told her breaking heart yet again.
The big engine started up. Oh gods. It’s really happening. I’m leaving him. For one mad moment, she stood up ready to rush off the plane and back to Adam’s arms.
“Sit down and fasten your seat belt, please,” the attendant said kindly.
In a daze, she did as she was told.
The tunnel was pulled back and the big plane began to lumber down the runway. It circled then stopped.
She came out of her preoccupied state long enough to realize the people around her were talking excitedly and pointing.
She looked out the window. Her breath caught in her throat and she froze in place.
A handsome, dark-haired man, dressed in black, ran toward the plane, his long leather jacket open and flapping in the wind.
“He must be a movie star. Have you ever seen anyone so handsome?” the woman behind her tittered to her seatmate.
Her heart began to pound against her chest.
The steps to the plane were let down on the runaway. Adam leapt up them. He entered the plane and turned his charming smile on the flight attendant. “Thank you.”
The woman looked like she’d melt into a puddle at his feet. She pointed to the vacant seat beside Sabina.
He threw his overnight bag onto the top rack then slid into his seat. He turned to Sabina. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” he demanded.
A large lump, lodged in her throat, made it impossible to answer. She cleared her throat. “Home.”
“Without saying a word? Without a wham bam thank you sir? Nothing?”
“Adam, I…”
“I could shake you ’til your teeth rattle,” her lover said angrily.
“I didn’t want to make you choose between me and your uncle.” It sounded lame to her own ears.
“You were awake this morning when my uncle was there weren’t you?”
She nodded.
“I thought as much.”
He grabbed her shoulders. “I love you. Though I can’t imagine why. At the first sign of trouble you cut and run.”
“I’m not running away,” she said with what dignity she could muster.
“That’s not how I see it from where I’m standing.”
“You’re sitting.”
He gave her the look. Not bothering to dignify the inane response with an answer.
“Listen, my darling idiot, even if I hadn’t met you and fallen head over heels in love with you I still would never take over my uncle’s business. I told him that this morning. His daughter Gina is much more suited to it. The woman’s a shark.”
“You aren’t? I mean, you wouldn’t?” she whispered staring at him, hardly daring to hope.
“I’m not and I wouldn’t,” he said firmly.
A thought struck her. “How did you find me?”
“Bella called me, of course.”
Of course.
She bit her lips then said in a small voice, “You came after me.”
“How could I not when you were taking my heart, my life’s blood. How could I survive without my heart?” His eyes were dark and intense. “Never leave me again Sabina.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly. She murmured against his lips, “Never my darling. From here on out you’re stuck with me.”
He lifted his head, his expression as dazed and happy as she was sure hers was. “It’s a good thing, because I told Bella and Maureen to catch
the next flight out.”
“Why?” she frowned, puzzled.
“I wouldn’t want them to miss our wedding.”
* * * * *
“Bless you my child,” the nun in economy said to the middle-aged man who nodded at her and sat down across the aisle from her. Victoria’s eyes gleamed with madness. Her habit rustled as she reached for her rosary. It hadn’t been easy to keep track of both Adam and the singer but they were together now in the first-class section.
She had loved him in her own way and he had rejected her. If she couldn’t have him no one would. An opportunity would present itself and when it did, she, Victoria Price, would be ready.
About the Author
A vegetarian and animal lover, Sandra lives with her husband, their dog and six cats in sunny North Carolina.
Sandra is an active member of Romance Writers of America and From the Heart Romance Writers. From The Heart Romance Writers has been the source of many treasured friendships.
Besides paranormal romance, Sandra also writes western romance, time-travel romance, young adult fantasy and non-fiction. She loves to hear from her readers so feel free to shoot her an e-mail.
Sandra welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Tell Us What You Think
We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at Comments@EllorasCave.com.
Also by Sandra Cox
Boji Stones
Rose Quartz
Silverhills
The Crystal
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer ebooks or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com