Navy Seal's Innocent Italian (7 page)

“Brianna, I didn’t expect to hear from you.”

“Well, I didn’t expect to be calling you, to tell the truth. How could you do something so low?”

Marco sighed, “Brianna, is your daughter okay? I truly meant her no harm. I was so caught up in getting revenge on Trent, that was all I could see.”

Brianna heard the past tense and queried, “Was?”

“I’ve done some thinking since you called me in tears. I never meant to cause you pain, or Trent for that matter. I was so angry that Serena killed herself, I needed someone to blame.”

“Trent told me what you believe. You have to know that he had nothing to do with Serena’s death.” Brianna heard the plea in her voice and tried to calm herself down.

Marco
did believe that – now! But not when he’d been so blinded by his grief. “Brianna, do you think Trent would talk to me?” He really needed to give Trent a chance to talk, the same chance he had denied him time and time again over the years.

“Really? You’d be willing to listen to him?” Brianna asked, feeling more hopeful than she had before making the call.

“I know that it wasn’t Trent’s fault. Serena was immature and acted out. Her actions are hers alone and no one else’s.”

“Wow! Marco, I really wish you could say all of that to Trent, but honestly, I don’t know if he’s going to listen. He’s…”

Marco cut her off, “Brianna, you don’t have to go there. I’ve just figured out that Trent is trying to sabotage my business dealings. I can’t say that I blame him. I’ve made his life difficult these last few years.”

“I wish you two could just get along with one another,” Brianna told him, trying to think of some way to get the two men together. “Are you coming back to Colorado?”

“In a few days’ time. I’m helping a friend’s daughter get established there. She’s a lovely young woman, and I would love for the two of you to meet. Once I return to Italy, she will be all alone in a strange city and I would feel better knowing she had someone she could call upon in case of an emergency.”

“Marco, I don’t know if that will be possible, but I would love to meet her if things between you and Trent work out. “

“Yes, well, for now, I’m not going to fight what Trent’s doing. I’ve managed to put off both board of directors meetings for two weeks while things get sorted out. If Trent is still intent on ruining me after that, so be it.”

Brianna didn’t want to see either man lose and vowed to find a way for Marco and Trent to speak to each other in a neutral environment. “Marco, I’m going to do what I can from this end to try and get Trent to agree to meet with you. If I’m successful, I’ll let you know.”

“Brianna, dear - thank you so much. I will appreciate any and all help you can give me. Now, may I know the name of your beautiful daughter?”

“Faith. We named her Faith.”

Marco smiled, “A beautiful name for a beautiful child. I look forward to seeing her again one day under different circumstances.”

Brianna made no reply to that. She wasn’t particularly looking forward to a meeting between Trent and Marco. She loved her husband, and Marco reminded her of the grandfather she no longer had, but they could both be stubborn and that just wasn’t going to work in this situation. No, she’d have to give her plan some thought.

                                                                                    *****

“Hello?” Alex queried, hoping the call was from Marco. They were supposed to go to dinner in five minutes and he hadn’t come upstairs yet. She knew he was in the building, as Jake had dropped her off an hour ago and she had stopped by his office to tell him she was back.

He’d been on the phone and given her a distant smile and waved her away.  Alex had passed his actions off as those of a man very busy with a myriad of business deals.

Now that he hadn’t come up to change for dinner, she was beginning to get concerned.  Heading towards the elevator, she rode it down to Marco’s personal office. His secretary had already left for the day and the door to Marco’s office stood ajar.

Alex approached the office door and then pushed it wide open. Marco was still on the phone, and he gave her a sheepish look before covering the mouthpiece and whispering to her, “I’m not going to make dinner. Why don’t you and your new friend enjoy a night out on me?”

Alex watched him for a moment, noticing the stress lines around his mouth and how tired he looked. She hated when her father looked thus, and tried to get him to take a small break. “Why don’t you come to dinner with us and then you can get back to work? You need to eat, and I’d really like for you to meet Jake.”

Marco finished his conversation and then disconnected the call, “You are correct. Let us go find some dinner and then I will come back to work.” He gave her an encouraging smile, unrolled his shirt sleeves, and grabbed his jacket. Leading her to the elevator, he asked, “So tell me about this man you met.”

“His name is Jake Travers and he just finished a stint in the military. He grew up in New York City and he showed me around this afternoon.”

“That was very nice of him.” Marco finished making himself presentable as they rode the elevator to the ground level. “He’s meeting us for dinner?”

Alex nodded, “He should be waiting for us downstairs.”
I hope he’s waiting for us downstairs!

“So you enjoyed seeing New York?”

“Yes, but after spending a day amidst all of these people, I’m very glad that we’re leaving for Colorado tomorrow. Oh, that reminds me, Jake is moving to Colorado as well. He was only here getting his stuff from storage so it could be shipped out there. Isn’t that a coincidence?” Alex asked him.

Marco slowly nodded, “That is amazing. What is he going to be doing in Colorado?”

“A friend of his from the military has a business out there and Jake’s going to work with him. He doesn’t have any family, and he said his military friends filled that void for him. Isn’t that sad? I’m glad he has someone.”

Marco nodded his head, “Yes, being alone isn’t all that great.
So, is that your young man there by the motorcycle?” He was talking about the large man standing outside, talking to the driver of the limousine.

Alex smiled and then waved to Jake as she and Marco exited the building, “Yes. That’s him.” She walked directly to Jake, Marco following in her wake. Stopping, she was secretly thrilled when Jake leaned down and kissed her cheek in greeting. Swallowing, she introduced the two men, “Jake, meet Marco. Marco, this is the man I was telling you about – Jake Travers.”

Marco shook the man’s hand, pleased when he felt the strength in his grip. He hated a limp handshake, and often his first impression was bolstered by how one shook his hand. Jake’s first impression climbed significantly after their handshake.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Jake offered him a smile of greeting, but Marco noticed his eyes were drawn back to Alex quick enough.

“Likewise. Thank you for showing her around the city today. I would have done so myself, but several things have come up with my business that required my attention. Shall we go?” Marco gestured towards the car.

When Jake and Alex nodded, he waited to see if Jake would play the gentleman, and he wasn’t disappointed. Jake courteously handed Alex into the car, holding onto her hand just a little too long before letting go and joining.

Once in the car, the couple sat next to each other, and Marco went out of his way to make small talk amongst them. The restaurant he had chosen for dinner was across the city, and would necessitate a lengthy drive this time of night, but the food was worth every minute of it.

Alex listened as Jake and Marco discussed various topics, content to listen to the low rumble of his voice and let his scent wash over hers.  He’s showered since dropping her off, and while he was wearing the same cologne as before, it was stronger now and having the same funny effect on her senses. As she sat there, she suddenly wished Marco had stayed away this evening. That would have provided her an opportunity to get to know Jake on a much more personal level.

“Alex?” Jake asked, wondering what thoughts were going around in her head. She had a little smile upon her face and her eyes had a special glimmer in them.
Maybe your nearness is affecting her like being near her is affecting you!

“Yes?” she looked between the two men, blushing as she realized she had been daydreaming. “Sorry. Did you ask me something?” she asked, looking up and meeting Jake’s eyes.

Marco watched the exchange between the two people and recalled the early years when he had first met his wife. He had looked at her exactly like Alex was looking at Jake. The chemistry between he and his Sophia had been staggering and even though she had been dead for almost thirty years, he hadn’t forgotten what the first signs of attraction felt like. Feeling like a third wheel, he made a decision as the limo pulled up in front of the restaurant.

He allowed Jake to exit the vehicle and then assist Alex out before making his move, pulling his cell phone from his pocket in pretense of having received an important call. After several seconds, he leaned his head out of the car and told the couple standing on the sidewalk waiting on him, “I’m sorry, Alex. But I’m going to have to return to the office. The call I’ve been waiting on has just come in and it can’t wait. Jake, it was a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to seeing you again soon. Please enjoy dinner. Alex, just have everything charged to my account, and the driver will be available when you are ready to return.”

Alex looked like she wanted to protest, but then she smiled at him and nodded, “Please get yourself something to eat before you work all night.”

Marco smiled at her caring and nodded, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll order something in just as soon as I get back to the office. Have a nice evening.”

As he was about to shut the door, Alex stuck her head back inside the car, “Are we still planning to leave for Colorado tomorrow?”

Marco sighed and then nodded, “I will do my best to have my business wrapped up by then.” Seeing that she wanted to ask him something, he encouraged her to do so, “Did you have a question?”

Alex nodded, “Well, I was just thinking, since Jake is headed to Colorado as well, if there was a way he could fly out there with us?”

Marco smiled and then an idea came to him, “What an excellent idea!” Marco exited the vehicle, making Alex take a step backwards. “Jake, Alex tells me you are heading to Colorado tomorrow as well.”

“Well, I was planning on that or the day after. The shipping company is supposed to pick my stuff up from storage tomorrow morning. After that, I thought I’d check out the flights and …”

“No need for that. Alex and I were planning on flying via my personal jet tomorrow. However, I have a suspicion that business matters are going to require my presence in New York beyond that time frame. I would feel much better sending Alex on to Colorado if I knew she were not going
to be alone. Would you consider flying out with her and helping her get situated at the hotel in town? “

Alex bit her lip as she awaited Jake’s reply. That was exactly what she’d been hoping for, a chance to get to know more about Jake. Now she was being given a golden opportunity.

“That is very generous, sir.” Turning to Alex, he could see the hope in her eyes, and he slowly nodded, “I would be happy to escort her to Colorado. You mentioned a hotel in town?”

“Yes. I will make all of the arrangements for a car to meet you at the airport and take her to the hotel
downtown where we are staying. Alex has some meetings in the downtown area, and then we will be heading up to my mountain retreat. Do you have a place to stay once in town?” Marco inquired.

“Yes, sir. My buddy lives in Denver and he’d be more than happy to pick us up at the airport I’m sure. There’s no need for a car to do so.”

“Really? You know the airport is quite a ways outside the city?” Marco asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard. And I’m sure. I’ll give him a call after dinner and set it up.”

“Fine. Alex are those plans good for you?” Marco asked, seeing the smile upon her face.

“Yes. They’re great.”

“Wonderful. Well, I really must head back to the office.  You two enjoy your dinner and Jake, I will text Alex all of the pertinent information for tomorrow’s flight. Thank you.”

“Sir,” Jake nodded his head, watching the older gentleman return to the limo and secretly pleased with how well he had infiltrated Marco’s inner circle.
The man should really be more cautious about the people he’s let get close to him.

After a dinner, Jake insisted on having the driver take them to Central Park. There, he rented a horse drawn carriage and Alex sat beside him, enjoying being with him and hearing him talk about the various things they saw.

After a few minutes, the movement of the carriage lulled them both to silence. Jake reached his arm around her shoulder, and it was the most natural thing in the world for her to rest her head back and lean against him. “Thank you,” she softly told him.

“For what?” Jake asked, the feel of her under his arm urging him towards more contact. Reaching out, he took her hand in his, using his thumb to soothe the back of her hand.

“For today. I’ve really enjoyed myself, more so that I thought I would.”

Jake was puzzled at her statement and asked, “Did you not expect to enjoy New York City?”

Alex shook her head slightly, “No, I meant, I didn’t expect to enjoy spending time with a man so much.”

Jake thought about that statement for a moment and then asked, “Why not?”

Alex leaned against him a bit more, loving the security she felt in his arms, “I’ve not dated a lot. In Italy, my Papa is very old school and my marriage was arranged for me when I was still a very young child.”

“That’s sound horrible. So, you’re engaged?” Jake asked, trying to mask his disappointment that the lovely woman sitting next to him wasn’t a free woman.

Alex shook her head vehemently, “No! I’m not still engaged. Ricardo Palmisano didn’t turn out to be a very nice man.”

“What?!” Jake pushed her away from him enough he could see her face, “He hit you?”

“No! But I’m not so sure he wouldn’t have if things had continued. He became very demanding and controlling. He even threatened to have my instruments destroyed. My Papa was listening in on that conversation and had him thrown from the house,” she recalled with a smile.

“Good for him! Although, I think I would have followed that up with a beating he wouldn’t soon forget!”

Alex smiled at him, “My Papa isn’t a violent man, but I’m sure something like that went through his head. Anyway, he tore up the contract and the betrothal was over.”

“You sound sad,” Jake offered, tipping her chin up so he could see her eyes. “Did you want to marry that man?”

“No,” Alex answered shaking her head, “But my Papa is insistent that I will not be truly happy until I settle down. He even asked Mr. Bresi to help me find a husband!”

Jake smiled at the perplexed tone of her voice, “It sounds like your father just wants to be sure his little girl is taken care of.”

“Yes, that’s what it is. I don’t know that I like being treated as if I’m still in elementary school.”

Jake chuckled and hugged her close, “Well, you will probably always be a little girl in the eyes of your father. Enjoy it.”

Alex nodded her head, suddenly feeling bad that Jake had never known the love of his parents, “Do you miss them?”

“Who?” Jake asked, not following her line of thinking.

“Your parents?” she inquired, tipping her head back to meet his eyes.

“It’s hard to miss what you’ve never known.  I was placed in the foster care system before my second birthday. I’ve never known my parents and according to my file, once they took me from my birth mother, they never saw or heard from her again.” Seeing tears enter her eyes, he leaned down and placed a tender kiss upon her lips, “Don’t cry for me. I was one of the lucky ones and ended up in a really nice foster home. Unlike some of the other kids I knew, I didn’t have to keep changing homes, I got to stay there until I graduated high school.”

Alex watched him, “Do you still keep in touch with your foster parents?”

“No. Unfortunately they were both killed in a car accident during my first tour of duty overseas. They were wonderful people and I will always be grateful to them for taking me in.”

“I’m sorry they’re not still here.” Alex wrapped her arms around him, placing her head upon his chest and squeezing him tight.

“Me too. So, you’re okay with me going to Colorado with you?” Jake asked as the carriage headed back towards the drop off point.

“Sure. I was kind of hoping that would happen anyway.” She couldn’t keep the blush from rising in her cheeks at her admission.

“Oh yeah? How come?” Jake watched her turn shy and the blush rise in her cheeks.

“I wanted to spend more time with you.” Alex held her breath as she waited for his reply.

Jake leaned down, kissing her forehead, before tipping her chin up so her lips met his own and whispering against them, “I want to spend more time with you as well.” His lips met hers in a sweet kiss that quickly caught fire, creating a fi
re within him that couldn’t be put out in the back of a Central Park carriage.

Hearing the driver cough as the carriage rolled to a stop, Jake pulled his lips away from hers and then couldn’t resist going back for one more.  Lifting his head, he saw the bemused expression on her face, thrilled that he had been the one to put it there.

“Come on. The driver’s getting impatient.” Jake helped her from the carriage, holding her body against his for just a moment longer than necessary and once again wishing they were someplace more secluded and without as many observers. Seeing the driver standing alongside the limo a few yards away, he led her in that direction, anxious to take advantage of the relative privacy the backseat would afford.

“Just drive us around the city for a while,” Jake told the driver with a smile. When the driver grinned at him and nodded, Jake knew he’d have plenty of time to explore this chemistry between them.