Stolen Dove: Stolen Hearts Series by Blake, Carina (novels in english .txt) 📗

his story because I can’t take his word after all these years.

“I’ve got no interest in your activities as long as they’re not affecting mine.”

“Good. So we understand each other.”

“Take care, Julio.” I end the call and feel a fuckton lighter. I already know who was fucking with my property. The tech sent me an email with a list of tower hits, which correspond to every one of the fires.

“What are you going to do about him?” Fernando asks.

I run my fingers through my hair, feeling the weight of the situation. “For now, just leave it. I know all the damn fires were started by one of my own, so until I have proof otherwise, I’m not interested in going to war. Have you gotten the report on the other men from Giuseppe yet?”

“No. He says it’s going to take several days. It’s not as fast as they make it look on television.” I nod, suspecting that shit.

“Well, keep a lookout for any of our men who suddenly disappear. I have a feeling that Vicente was just jealous, and my wife only amplified his envy.”

“I agree, except I believe he truly was interested in stealing her away. There’s something I don’t want to show you, but it was on his phone.”

“What?” He hands me the printed email from Giuseppe. It’s a blurred-out image of my wife sleeping with a towel wrapped around her body. It’s clear the towel slid slightly off, giving Vicente a peep at my wife’s tits and the side of her ass.

“He’s lucky he’s fucking dead. I want that destroyed. Do you know when he took it?”

“Yes. The timestamp was the morning after we came back from America. We had to leave to deal with the fire and you went to get her the tablet.”

“God, I feel like a prick. I accused her of trying to leave while allowing this fucker to creep on her. Shit.”

“What?”

“She wasn’t even safe in her own home, in her own bed. He would have done something.”

“Don’t go there. It’s over, and he can’t come after her again.”

“From now on, not a single man is allowed upstairs in my home. No one except those who live in the house are allowed anywhere inside unless supervised by one of us.”

“Understood. Are you going to tell her?”

“No. God, no. I don’t want her to be scared to be in her home alone. I need to check on her. I’ll be back for the call.” I rush out of my office and upstairs, nearly colliding with my wife. “Baby, what are you doing up?”

“I was looking for you. You didn’t tell me you were leaving.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to wake you. I’m taking an important call in my office soon. Come, I’ll walk you to bed. As soon as it’s over, I’ll come right to bed.”

I take her hand and bring it to my lips. She’s the best thing to ever happen to me, and I have a lot to make up for. As soon as we’re in our bedroom, I help her back into bed.

“Victor, I might not want to know about your business, but I’m doing my best to trust you. I’m assuming because there was no guard outside my door that you’re doing the same, or is it because you’re too jealous to have someone watching me?”

“What? I never had someone watching you. Yes, there were guards outside the house who rarely came inside. Was Vicente outside your door?”

“How do you think I came to know Vicente?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought it’s what you expected. I told him to keep his distance on several occasions and he did for the most part, but at least once a day I nearly collided with him.”

I cup her face, cradling her head, and breathe before I say what I have to say. “First. Let me tell you I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you about trying to leave me and breaking your tablet. He searched those things on it while you slept.” She gasps. “Second, I am a jealous, possessive, territorial bastard obsessed with you and wouldn’t have put a man that close to you unless it was absolutely necessary, and never the same one. I’m sorry he played us both.”

“I love you, Victor. I’m not going anywhere. Now, please go take your call so you can come back to me soon.” Growling, I press her backward onto the bed and slam my mouth down on hers. I only sit back up after we’re both breathless and disheveled.

“I love you madly.” I stand up and adjust my throbbing cock. “I won’t be long.”

It’s nearly midnight when I wait for the call that Fernando set up for me with Santino Benedetti. Once it rings, I put it on speaker since I want Fernando to hear everything.

“Serrano, this is Santino Benedetti. I’m glad that you found the time for us to speak. I trust the line is clear.” I know it is on my end. My software makes sure there are no other listening devices or other interference that can intercept the call, but it doesn’t mean I’m talking to the real Benedetti.

“How do I know it’s you?” I hiss.

“You don’t know that, but all I can give is my word.”

“Says the man who betrayed his family.” Like I’m one to talk, but I’m gauging his reaction.

A low rumble vibrates through the call. “Don’t even fucking spout those fucking lies. My wife and my mother are my family, and I’d never do anything to betray them. Everyone else with the Marchetti name can go drop off the face of the earth as far as I’m concerned.”

That reaction is more than genuine. I’d listened to an interview he gave to the press when everything went down, and it sounds like him. “Well, we have one thing in common. What is it that you wanted to discuss?”

“Avanti. I heard you were in town, doing business with him last month.”

“We have unfinished business,” I bite out. I’ve