Yes, she knew that. Frank thought the world of Nicci. That wasnt up for debate. What was, however, was how to defuse the time bomb that had started ticking the minute Joey had learned he had a son. And thats what would be foremost on Franks mind when he learned Nicci had been taken by Joey.
But how could she tell Elena any of that, without explaining the rest? Without telling her that her father, Frank Palazzo, resident of Key West, Florida, was also Frank Masado, a member of the famiglia in the Chicago-Italian mafia. And if she went that far to disclose his double identity, she would have to tell Elena all of it. She would have to confess that Frank was Niccis grandfather.
Elena believed she was an only child. She had no idea that she was the half sister to Joey and Tomas Masado. She had no idea that her father had been previously married, or that hed been juggling two separate lives with well-crafted scenarios and tightly woven lies to keep them all safe.
When Frank had brought Rhea to Key West three years ago, he had told Elena that hed hired a live-in nurse for Grace. And thats how Rhea had been disguisedhow the household at Santa Palazzo had come to accept her.
Graces health over the years had gradually gotten worse, and she needed constant care. Rhea had been a nurse in Chicago for seven years. The situation had worked on all levels.
Talk to me, Rhea. What can I do to help?
I dont want your mother to know whats happened. Shes too fragile. She needs bed rest and no excitement for at least forty-eight hours. And your fatherwhen he learns what happened tonight hell know why I had to
Leave. You are, arent you.
I cant wait, Elena. Ill go crazy waiting for your father to get here.
Elena reached out and tugged Rhea to the bed. Pulling her down to sit next to her, she said, Mother would have died tonight if you hadnt been here to help her. If you leave, shell have no one.
Rhea pushed her long blond bangs out of her eyes. Youre wonderful with your mother, Elena. You are why your mother has survived all these years. You and your father. Shell be fine until Frank comes. Hell order a replacement nurse within twenty-four hours.
Why cant we just call the police and tell them that Niccis been kidnapped? Tell them that you know who did it, and
I cant do that, Rhea said quickly. Niccis father is a powerful man in Chicago. When I left I didnt tell him I was pregnant. I didnt say where I was going, either. I just left. I had my reasons. Good reasons. But
I was always curious about Niccis father, Elena admitted. Is that where he gets his black hair and dark eyes? Does his father have black hair? Youre so fair,
and Niccis so dark.
Joeys Sicilian. His family Rhea glanced at Elenas dark hair, then her earthy brown eyes, they all have black hair and dark eyes.
Did you run away because he hurt you, Rhea? Was it Niccis father who gave you the scars?
Rhea saw Elena focus on the thin white line on her lower lip, then on the one that slipped into the corner of her left eyethe scar that had made her wear an eye patch for months. The scar that had nearly blinded her.
It wasnt like that. Joey never hurt me.
Elena frowned. Then, I dont understand.
I was in an accident. Rhea shivered, remembering Studs angry eyes as hed picked her up and hurled her through her bedroom window. Her ex-husband had claimed he hadnt meant to hurt her, just to knock some sense into her. Elena didnt need to know the sordid details of Rheas past, however, or the dangers that threatened her once she returned to Chicago. And likewise, Rhea didnt want to dwell on her ex-husbandor Joey.
Especially not Joey.
There was no rational explanation for falling in love with him three years ago. It had been one of those crazy chance meetings at a time when she should have been too wary of any man to notice the black-haired Sicilian in the hospital corridor during one of her unscheduled late-night visits.
At the time, she didnt know what caught her attention first, the meticulous way he dressed or his shockingly deep voice. Later, she came to realize it was neither. What had drawn her to Joey Masado was the hidden tenderness in the depth of his dark eyes despite his poignant tough-guy imagea goodness and a fairness that defied reason, as well as rumor.
How soon are you leaving?
The thought of returning to Chicago scared Rhea. But she forced a weak smile. As soon as I can book a flight. While I pack, will you call the airport? I need to get out of here before the storm hits and they start grounding planes.
And before Frank comes home and tries to stop me.
Will you come back?
Yes. Ill be back. With Nicci. Rhea knew that it was the only way to defuse the time bombif she and Nicci returned to Santa Palazzo. How she was going to manage that wasnt clear just yet, but she would focus on that once she had faced Joey and knew that Nicci was all right.
Elena shoved her long black hair away from her face, and stood. Ill call the airport. She headed for the door, then turned back. I love you and Nicci. I know Ive never told you that, Rhea. But its true. I cant imagine either of you not in my life.