Chapter 111 - The Billionaire’s Prodigal Wife
“Like a brick in a puddle,” she rolled her eyes. “Do you really think it’s what he wants to talk about?”
“It sure as hell isn’t about breaking up. The guy talked not ten hours ago about having you perform lap dances on him. You two are definitely not breaking up.”
“Thank god because I’d have to move in with you and Alessandro so you could hold me every night while I cry,” Savannah gave her a rueful smile. “My mom keeps asking to meet him.”
“Your dad would have had a field day with him.” Savannah’s foster parents who had adopted her as a teenager had loved her like she had been with them all her life. While her father had passed away, her mom still called her almost daily. How Savannah had been able to keep them apart so long was a testament to Savannah’s fear of being rejected.
“Well, if we aren’t breaking up tomorrow, maybe I’ll invite her to town soon.”
“Fun!” Mackenna squealed.
They both looked up as Nuncio walked into the room. “Why do you both look guilty?”
“We don’t. We were just talking.” Savannah stood up from the bed. “Alessandro called and gave Mac the rundown. He’s coming home tomorrow.”
“Yes, so I heard from Carlos,” he shook his head. “I was talking to my mother earlier and she said she’s never seen my older brother so angry.”
“Why were you talking to your mother,” Mackenna looked to Nuncio.
“I talk to her every day. She is my mama, and I am a good son,” he looked at her quizzically. “What are you digging for?”
“Nothing,” she smirked and started to move her blankets to get out of bed. She had just remembered Alessandro mentioning his grandmother’s ring.
“Where do you think you’re going.”
“Dinner, Savannah said dinner was almost ready.”
He pointed at her, “you stay there. I will bring you dinner in a bit. I have a movie we can watch on my laptop, and we can share the pizza after I run Savannah to work. Paparazzi is outside in full force as the word of Salvatore’s death has hit the news.”
“I should feel sad.”
“Why?” Both Savannah and Nuncio asked the question in unison.
“He was an evil piece of shit,” Nuncio spat, “I only wish he had died much slower than a bullet to the brain. It was unfortunate they were trying to save Dulce’s life because he went much too quickly for my liking.”
Savannah wrinkled her nose, “Hippocratic oath and all prohibits me from the desire to see someone get murdered so I’m going to go to work. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She waved at Mackenna
Nuncio pointed at her, “stay put until I get back.”
She saluted him and nestled into her bed. “Yes sir.”
Her phone rang again, and she answered it again, “Alessandro.”
“Mackenna,” his voice was quiet over the line.
“What is wrong?” she asked seriously.
“Other than I am here and you are so far away from me, absolutely nothing. I am just missing you. My parents are in with Dulce’s family. I am in the limo heading to the airport. I just ended our call earlier abruptly and I’m missing you.”
“Oh,” she settled into her pillows.
“Why are you still awake?”
“I napped from about six until eleven and I’m wide awake. I missed dinner. Nuncio is running Savannah over to the hospital because she was called in but then he’s coming to sit up and feed me pizza and watch movies until I’m tired again.”
“Why did you nap so long in the evening?”
She took a breath, “It’s been a long day.”
“Mackenna, what aren’t you telling me?” Alessandro demanded with annoyance.
“I was going to tell you tomorrow.”
“What?” his voice was concerned.
“I got into my head and was overthinking things and was thinking of you being there with Dulce and even though I know there is nothing going on, I still have anxiety about her. I’m trying Alessandro. I’m really trying but with you there with her my head didn’t like it.”
“You had a panic attack.” Alessandro’s voice was matter of fact.
“I did and I went to grab the kitchen island and I missed it and I fell, and I hit my arm and a couple stitches broke and it was bleeding.”
His curse echoed over the line.
“Alessandro, I’m okay.”
“You are most assuredly not okay. Mackenna, the damage caused by her actions, and mine if I’m honest, are still affecting you. Regardless of her reasonings, she bullied and harassed you for years in the most cruel and callous ways and I turned a blind eye to it. I understand you are trying to be the bigger person but my love you do not need to. You owe her nothing. You owe me nothing. I understand why you have fears where she and I are concerned and all I can say is I promise I will spend the rest of my days making sure you know she is not a threat to you or to us. I am glad I made the decision to come home. It reaffirms my belief where I should be is with you.”
“I don’t want to be a clingy wife,” she protested.
“Mackenna,” he groaned into the phone. “You are a strong and independent woman who has no need for a husband. You said it yourself earlier. You have clearly demonstrated you can live and thrive without me in your life. Look at the world you have created for yourself. You have an amazing life rich with love and friendship, a job you love and a community which you are immersed in. I am privileged you have agreed to let me part of this. As far as the anxiety and panic, it makes sense for you to be affected when I must interact with your tormentor. It is my intention to maintain my distance from her and have a professional relationship only. I am hopeful in time, without her involved in our lives, your anxiety will improve.”
“She was your friend,” she whispered. “I won’t ask you to give up your friends.”
“She has many friends and family. Friends come and go Mackenna. I am sure there are people in your life who were friends at one stage in your life who are no longer friends with you now. Our friendship, in retrospect, was toxic to those around us and I do not wish to be involved in such a thing again. I will maintain a professional relationship as much as I am contractually required as a freelance designer for House of Giordano, but it is the end of my personal relationship with Dulce.” He suddenly sighed, “I knew I had to go to Milan to deal with my grandfather and my family, but I did not want to make the stop to Dulce’s hospital. My family insisted I make the appearance and I did. All I want now is to come home to my wife.”
She was quiet on the other end of the phone and then he spoke, “Mackenna, are you still there?”
“I am,” she wiped a tear off her cheek. “I’m just processing everything. I love you.”
“I adore you,” he spoke gently.
She heard a key in the lock. “Nuncio is back.”
“Enjoy your dinner and movies my love. Get some sleep and I will see you tomorrow. I’m flying commercial and there is a layover. It was the quickest flight home I should be there around twelve-thirty.”
“I’ll see you then.” She hung up the phone and admitted to herself her heart was feeling better after hearing Alessandro speak.
She looked up and smiled at Nuncio as he appeared in the door of her room. She ended her call and looked at her friend. “I want to see the ring.”