I hit send. The guy answers on the first ring. “Valdez Security Contracting, how may I help you?”
“This is Tony Sabatini. I have a woman I need found.”
***
Tony
“I’ll have Valdez look into it. He has a bunch of people just to dig into shit online.”
“Bullshit.” I can’t contain the curse at the mention of Valdez.
“What?” Dominic’s eyes are wide.
“You said Valdez would find her. It’s been three months, and he hasn’t found her,” I spit out the words. Still angry at the hope that was beginning to die all over again.
He goes still, then shakes his head. “Pop, if he can’t find her. She could be dead.”
Fuck, no. I know she’s alive. I can feel her. “That’s what he said. No, she’s not dead. I’d know. She’s alive.”
“What aren’t you telling me? It could mean the difference between finding her or not.”
I can’t look at him. Admitting it all over again burns through me. “I put my mother’s ring on her finger. When I woke up, she was gone.”
Dominic pulls out his phone and makes the call, putting it on speaker.
Valdez answers on the first ring. “Christina Teller, the woman Pop has you looking for. Stop looking for Christina Teller. Look for Christy Sabatini.”
“Will do.” The man assures Dominic.
I’m a little dazed by where Dominic went. Could she have? “You really think?”
“It’s the only thing that makes sense. If Valdez couldn’t find her, it’s because she isn’t Christina Teller anymore. You put a ring on her finger. She was your wife before you ever gave it to her. For some crazy fucked up reason, she loved you, and it enough that she kept the name when she left you. Which means she’s hiding something really fucking big.”
Sonofabitch. Christy was pregnant when she left me. I pour another drink as I consider the idea of yet another woman keeping my child from me.
***
Tony
Two days later when I come downstairs, Dominic is waiting for me. He slides a thick file towards me.
“Her name is Sophia Rose. She goes by Rosie.”
Thank fuck. There are dozens of pictures of Rosie and almost as many of Christy. The person was able to get inside the small apartment. I freeze as I spot all the pictures of me, there are pictures on the walls of the living room, Rosie’s room, and even Christy’s room. There are even pictures of me on the bedside tables of both Christy and Rosie’s room.
> Beautiful, so damn beautiful. Rosie is almost Christy in miniature, except she has my eyes, and I spot my mother’s profile. Fuck, I can’t breathe.
“I talked to Che. He’s lending us his jet for as long as we need it. It’s gassed and ready to go to Austin.”
Nodding, I look around. “Where’s Carmella?”
“She’s out shopping to put Rosie’s room together. I told her to make up the room in the opposite corner of yours. With Luca in the one across from you. I’m thinking you’re going to want some privacy for a minute. By the time we come back with them, the room will be an exact copy to what she has in Austin to lessen any shock or fear in her leaving her old room.”
I shake my head. “You haven’t been to bed yet. Go home, get some sleep.”
“No.” The word is in a tone my son has never used with me before. “I’m not going to let you go alone. I don’t want you doing anything you’re going to regret later, or you can’t come back from.”
He knows me well. I nod.