Page 66 of A Treasure To Keep
“What are you two talking about?” Luci’s eyes suspiciously flicker between the two of us. Quiet isn’t a word that would describe either of us. Quiet means mischief.
James and I exchange glances, unsure of what to say, until I speak up. “Nothing major. Placing bets on whose son Gia will date first.”
“Don’t let Alessandro hear you mentioning Gia dating. I think he would lock her down worse than he had me.” Luci and I laugh, remembering when Alessandro kidnapped Luci and kept her locked away in what is now Gia’s nursery. Good times. James doesn’t know much about Luci and Alessandro’s relationship. Working with Marco and Alessandro as major clients means she knows more about their world than the average person. Not as much as me, but whatever. That’s not the point.
I stand, smoothing my baby blue maxi dress that hugs my body. I didn’t have enough time to get it hemmed, which didn’t go missed by James, and I need to make sure it’s flatteringwithout me tripping on it. I carefully turn around in my four-inch heels, calming Luci down from potentially spiraling.
“Before we launch the premier episode of Alessandro will become the shotgun dad, let’s load up my car. Andrea will be off work soon, and I’d love to be able to surprise him by picking him up. I’ll need the help unloading the car. Enzo, do me a favor and take a break from bodyguard duty and help Domenico load up the car.” Enzo smiles, silently heading to grab the bags and boxes. I distract Domenico from practically drooling over Quinn when he does a double-take, surprised by my volunteering him to pack up my car.
I barely have enough space in my car to see through the needed windows and mirrors as I attempt to surprise Andrea at work. That reminds me, I’ll need to rearrange the gifts to fit Andrea in the car. If not, I’ll need to strap him to the hood of my car. And that’s not where I’d prefer to strap him down. Hold on. Calm down, girl. Let’s focus on being cute, not sexy.
Once I have my thoughts straight, they run to what could happen and what will happen. What my son will look like, how he will grow up, and the love he will be surrounded by. As I pull up to a red light before the highway, my son kicks, showing that he approves of his future. At least that’s how I’m interpreting it. When the light turns green, I get on the highway, cautiously merging when everything is clear.
Four miles from my exit, I’m still in my blissful thoughts of what my future holds when a car speeds up behind me, zooming into the left lane. Whoever is driving is at least going fifteen miles an hour faster than I am. Which, considering I’m goingfive over, that’s twenty miles an hour over the speed limit. I barely have time to process what’s happening when the vehicle merges into my lane too early, clipping my front bumper. My car spins while my upper body flings through the car, my seatbelt the only thing holding me in my seat. I can hear the squeal of tires around me. I’m unsure if they’re mine or the surrounding vehicles, preventing themselves from adding to the chaos. Every time I try to grasp my steering wheel, my body flings to the opposite side, the wheel slipping from my hands.
Suddenly, my car hits something solid, causing it to roll once, twice, three times before landing on its side. I try to blink the fuzziness away when I swat at the airbags around me. I'm logically trying to process everything that happened in the last few seconds. Or was it minutes?
Almost by instinct, my hands go to my belly, rubbing as I try to stay conscious when I speak to my son. The faint sound of sirens settles my nerves. Considering that I have no idea where my handbag went, I’m thankful someone was kind enough to call for help.
“It’s okay, my baby. Do you hear that? People are coming to save us.”
My eyes get heavy as I struggle to stay awake.
“You’ll be okay, my son, I promise.”
Stay awake, El. Why is it hard to stay awake?
“I’ll rest my eyes so I have energy for you, sweet baby. Only for a second. That’s all I need. Then people will be here to help.”
The last thing I remember is the ambulance’s sirens and the sight of my shattered windows disappearing when I close my eyes and everything goes black.
Chapter 72
Andrea
Another busy workday is done, and I’m impatiently hoping El will pick me up. I told El I’ll take the bus home since I don’t know how long she will be with her friends. Knowing her, though, she will surprise me any second. I’m sure she has enough to tell me that I’ll barely get in an I love you in between her babbling.
I’m disappointed when the door opens, and instead of El, it’s Mr. Hansley. His body language is stiff, and there’s sorrow in his eyes that he’s trying to mask. Instantly, he notices my body matching his when he avoids eye contact with me.
“Andrea, come into my office for a second.”
“What’s wrong?” I’ve never heard this tone from him. It’s flat, and I have no clue what my fate might be.
He exhales, a shake in his voice as he speaks. “We will discuss it in my office.”
My heart slams loudly in my ears as I fall in line with Mr. Hansley. Did I do something wrong? Am I going to get fired? Did El and I finally make love one too many times in the shop?
His closed office door comes into view, and I’m convinced it will contain a live alligator when his hand turns the nob. Unfortunately, what hides behind the door is worse than I could have imagined.
Two police officers turn around at the sound of the door opening. Mr. Hansley stands to the side as I walk in. I politely and steadily introduce myself, asking how I can help the two officers.
“I think it’s best if you sit down, Mr. Beaumont.” That can’t be good. Once I sit, I stare at the two men, terrified of what they may say.
The officer who didn’t ask me to sit down speaks in a calm, neutral tone, giving me no indication of what he could say. “There’s been a car accident. A vehicle merged too early, hitting another car. That caused it to spin out, rolling over several times, before landing on the side of the road. A young woman that we understand is your fiancée, Eleanora Gallo, was taken to the hospital.” I instantly hyperventilate, unable to process anything else the officers are saying until they speak again. They’re in the middle of whatever they’re saying when I burst out, yelling in French.
“J'ai besoin d'être avec mon trésor et mon bébé!” I jump up from the chair I’m sitting in, racing to the lockers, and grab all my belongings with shaky hands. It’s not until one of the officers places his hand on my shoulder that I stop, whipping around to see the first officer who spoke with his empathetic eyes. At least one of them has emotion.
“I know this is difficult, but we need to ask you some questions. After that, if you need a ride, we can provide that for you.” I have my wallet and phone in hand when I grasp the chair, lowering myself cautiously, preventing my knees from giving out. Once my focus is back on the officer, the empathetic one continues speaking.