Chapter 2

Stephanie's POV

A deep sigh escaped as I realized it was already quarter past six and I didn't have the additional fifteen minutes of extra sleep I was used to each morning. I could only assume that the worry over Luci that kept me up half the night after talking to her in the bathroom was behind my not hearing the alarm when it first went off.

I headed for the bathroom and as much as I'd love to have used the full capabilities of my shower massager, I passed for a quick shower and shampoo, which was something I couldn't do without since my hair is of the curly variety that doesn't cooperate well with being tamed.

Once I'd dressed for the day I headed into the kitchen to grab a couple of butterscotch krumpets out of the cupboard and filled my travel mug with fresh brewed coffee. A smile slipped onto my face as I appreciated the benefits of being able to program the coffee maker to brew coffee so that it was ready when I got up.

A thud followed by running feet heading in the direction of the bathroom gave me a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. Leaving the mug on the counter, I headed in the direction of the bathroom. Knocking on the door, I asked, "Luci, are you all right?"

There was the sound of retching and after a few minutes Luci's weak voice said, "Just peachy. You want to take the rest of that coffee with you when you go?"

I smiled wryly as I shook my head before saying, "Don't worry. I'll take care of it so you won't have to smell it. And by the way… I'm calling Dr. Thomas to get you in today."

There was mumbling on the other side of the door but I couldn't make it out. I knew she heard me, and even though she wasn't happy—which I assumed from the mumbling—I knew that when I let her know what time the appointment was for, she'd be there.

I headed back for the kitchen and dumped the rest of the contents of the coffee pot before rinsing it out and setting it in the sink. Then, I took the coffee grounds from the pot and threw them in the trash, tying the bag before taking it out of the trash can. I put in a new bag before grabbing my purse and tossing the tasty cakes inside, grabbing my coffee and the trash bag, before heading out of the apartment. I made sure the door was locked and headed to the elevator. It didn't take me long to throw the trash in the dumpster since the only parking space that's ever open when I get home is the one next it. That done, I get into my 1979 Pontiac Sunbird.

As cars go, mine should have become a member of the junk yard a good ten years ago, but it had four tires and ran and for me, that was good enough. It's not like I kept cars very long anyway, and I couldn't see paying out for a brand new car every time mine blew up and went to the great car beyond in the sky.

It was a twenty minute drive to Alexander's house from the apartment I shared with Luci. We'd spent three months looking at places that would appease her father that she would be safe. Although why it mattered when the entourage that followed her around was more than capable of handling any trouble that came her way was a mystery. The apartment I'd been living in at the time had been vetoed before it was even an option. The one time Luci had slipped her guards and borrowed one of her dad's cars to come visit me, we'd been descended upon by not only the guards Luci had slipped away from, but another fourteen men that worked for Luci's dad as well.

Alessandro Beretti was a powerful man and one thing you learned early in your association with him was that if you wanted to live till your next meeting, it was wise to do what he wanted when it came to his daughter. He tolerated me, even when I disagreed with him, because of my association with his partner, Alexander Ramos.

I'd met Alexander ten years before when I'd been a naïve twenty-year-old. I was dealing with a situation where the only one I knew who could help me was Alexander. So, I'd gone to him and asked him to help me. In exchange, I'd told him I was willing to do anything to repay him.

Of course, it wasn't easy getting in to see him. After numerous attempts to make an appointment, I'd finally gotten desperate enough to use my skills to get in to see him. I could still remember the look on his face when he'd wandered into the kitchen to see me sitting at the kitchen table.

"Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?"

I rubbed my hands on the black jeans that I was wearing and said, "My name's Stephanie Plum and I've been trying to make an appointment to see you."

He nodded. "I'm not the sort you want to be hanging around with, girlie."

I took a deep breath as I scrunched up my courage. "I'm desperate. You're the only one I know who has the contacts I need to help me."

His eyes narrowed as he gave me a once over. "What kind of trouble is that?"

It was all I could do to keep the sob from escaping as I lifted my head and said, "My niece was kidnapped three days ago."

There was a slight widening of his eyes but he just continued to stare at me with his steely look.

I continued, "I've been able to locate the men who took her. I know where they are and everything about their operation. But I don't have a clue how to go about getting her back. I don't have the money to pay…"

"How did you find the information?"

I hesitated for a fraction of a second, then said, "I found out that you and Alessandro Beretti have had run-ins with this group before." I paused briefly before raising my head even higher and saying, "I hacked into your computer system and found all the information you have on them. I know that you are planning a coup. All I'm asking is that you have your men rescue my niece as well."

His eyes narrowed even more and I was glad that I was sitting down.

His voice was a low menacing growl as he asked, "How the hell did you get in here?"

I met his gaze. "I hacked your security and climbed over the fence."

"Girlie…"

I didn't wait to hear what he was going to say. I took the picture of my niece and held it out to him. "Her name is Angie and she's two years old. I'm desperate."

His face softened slightly and after a few beats, he took the picture and studied it before slipping it in his pocket. "Go home, girlie."

With that he turned and left the room.

I wasn't sure if he intended to help me or not, but I knew that I'd done all I could for the moment. I slowly made my way back to where my car was parked and slipped into the driver's seat. A loud knock on the window made me jump and I turned to see a big mountain of a man scowling at me.

I rolled the window down.

"Mr. Ramos wanted me to give you a message."

I gave a small nod and waited for him to continue.

He growled, then handed me a card as he said, "Next time you call, try this number. If they give you any guff, give them your name and you'll be put through."

With that he was gone, leaving me sitting alone in my car.

A knock on the car window brought me back to the present and I looked out to see Delvechio was standing beside my car waiting for me to exit. I turned the key to shut the car off and tossed the keys in my purse before getting out of the car. Smiling at Delvechio, I asked, "What's up?"

His voice was deep and rumbly as he said, "Was just going to ask you the same thing. You're late."

I flicked a glance at the watch on my left wrist and noticed I was indeed fifteen minutes late. Normally that wouldn't be a big thing because although Alexander demanded punctuality from the rest of his staff, he seemed more than willing to let me slide into work whenever I got there. There were those rare occasions when he needed me to make it on time, though, and today was one of those times.

I fell into step with Delvechio as we made our way into the house. The minute I stepped inside the house, a gravelly voice said, "About time you got here, girlie. What kept you?"

I debated whether to tell him or to skirt the issue, but one look at those steely eyes narrowed on me told me that only the truth would work. "I was worried about Luci. She's not feeling herself and I wanted to make sure she was okay before I left."

Alexander grunted. "What's wrong with her?"

I paused for a minute, then sighed and said, "I think she's pregnant."

Alexander checked his watch before taking his phone out and punching in some numbers. He paused as if waiting for someone to answer and then said, "Luciana Beretti needs an appointment right away." He paused for a second and then glanced over at me as he said, "That will be fine. I'll have Stephanie bring her."

With that the call ended and Alexander said, "I'll call Vinney to stop by here on his way taking her to Steven's office to pick you up. Her appointment is for ten. That should give us plenty of time to finish our meeting." He checked his watch once again before saying, "I have just enough time to call Alessandro before Morelli arrives."