“Yes.”
“Well, as long as that’s the truth. Because you know Vittorio. He can’t abide dishonesty.” Then Theresa pushed back her chair, rose from the table and patted Joe’s back before walking out.
For a moment after Theresa left Jillian couldn’t move. She stood in the middle of the breakfast room, absolutely shell-shocked. Although sunshine still poured through the tall windows, splashing light across the tiled floor, Jillian couldn’t focus. Couldn’t see.
In less than five minutes Marco had turned her world inside out. In less than five minutes Marco had stripped away her security, and her hope.
Jillian wasn’t sure her legs would hold her as she carried Joe up the stairs from the breakfast room to the nursery on the third floor.
Her heart thudded. Her teeth chattered. Her mind raced, thoughts spinning wildly in every direction.
What would she do now?
What could she do?
She had no idea how Marco had found her. But he had. And now that he had, she put everyone here in danger.
Like Katie before her, Marco’s people would use her, make her a tool for destruction.
But she couldn’t risk Vittorio’s family’s safety. And there was no way she’d ever hurt Vitt.
Not when she loved him. Not when he was the one person who’d reached out to her, helped her, loved her.
Because in her heart, she did feel loved. In her heart, she knew he’d do anything for her.
But she needed Vitt alive and strong for Joe. Because Joe, as a d’Severano, would need guidance. Joe would need the wisdom and courage of his father.
Drawing Joe closer against her breast, she breathed him in, smelling his sweetness, aware of his softness. She would never put her baby in danger. She would never compromise his safety in any way.
There was only one thing she could do.
Only one decision to be made.
She had to go. It was the only way.
Tears filmed her eyes and she blinked to clear her vision as she reached the top step. Joe stared into her face with concern and patted her cheek. “Mama,” he said, his baby hand against her face, “Mama.”
“It’s okay,” she soothed him, kissing his small palm. “Daddy loves you. Momma loves you. Everyone loves you.”
Entering the nursery, Jillian found Maria folding Joe’s clothes. At first glance, Jillian thought Maria must have done his laundry, but then she realized Maria was putting everything of Joe’s into a suitcase.
Had Vittorio found out about Marco’s call?
Was Vittorio sending them away?
“What are you doing?” Jillian asked Maria.
“Signor told me to pack the baby’s things.”
Jillian’s legs shook. “Why?”
“He said that you were going on a trip.”
“Me?”
Maria nodded, and Joe impatiently kicked, wanting to be put down. Numbly Jillian set him on his feet and just like the first day he was here, he raced toward his toys, pulling out a stuffed floppy dog off the bookshelf to squeeze to his chest.
Jillian drew a shallow breath. “When did he say that?”