Chapter 33

RPOV

I know that I was smiling after Steph said that she knew who Roberts was. I never doubted that she would be the one to find it. She had a way of pulling things together, things that no one else would know or see. I waited and watched her, the smile on her face lighting up the whole room as she toyed with both Santos and me.

"Come on Beautiful, you're killing me here"

She was doing the same to me, but I wasn't going to let her know that.

"Christian Roberts' is also known as Decker, Adrian Decker. I've tied him to Allegro because he was one of the men who worked on Gaia's house when her husband was renovating it"

"Come on Beautiful, how does a laborer become an international jewel thief?"

I wasn't as impatient as Santos was because I knew that Steph would have the answer to that, but I had to admit that I was struggling as well.

"He obviously isn't a laborer, he's an electronics guy, electrician. He'll have known every part of that house including its security. I think that he and Allegro became involved romantically, but he never recognized or appreciated her as a business woman"

"Until they planned to steal her mother's jewelry"

I finished thinking that through and decided that what Steph was saying was probably true. Decker had probably always been a thief taking advantage of working in properties where expensive items were kept. Working with Allegro gave him another option, a way to fence the goods without raising attention.

"Anything through a search on him?"

I asked, but I knew that the man would have been very careful not to reveal his real identity, so wasn't surprised when Steph shook her head. What worried me though was what she was thinking about now.

"I need to talk to Gaia. I want to know if she was aware of what Decker and Allegro did"

For once I didn't know what to say. I could see Santos looking at me and knew that he thought that it was a mad idea but looking at Steph I knew that I couldn't refuse her anything.

"If we do that then we have to be very sure that Allegro, Decker or Tomas are nowhere near"

It was lucky that I was ready to catch her as she almost jumped at me, and I held my breath to ensure that she wasn't aware of the pain that went through my chest. Damn it, I owed Enzo for letting his men beat the shit out of me, but I had to let it happen knowing that my men would be turning up soon. I was planning on paying him back when they arrived so that we could get the truth from him, then Steph had literally sweet talked it out of him.

Hearing a bike outside I wanted to know what Hector had discovered first so letting Steph down waited until he came through the door.

"Someone remotely activated the GPS on the rental SUV. He could have hacked into the hospital systems and ran through the footage from the hospital until he saw you bringing Estefania out to the car"

This man Decker was good unless of course it was Tomas who had a hand in it, which reminded me to ask if Steph had found out how Tomas was involved.

"Babe, did you find a connection to Tomas?"

"Not yet, but I'm working on it"

I wasn't too sure just how safe the house we were in now would be now. If it was me looking for someone, I'd look at any other properties outside of Milan and start looking at bookings for a similar length of stay. I thought that I'd been clever in booking the two places for a three month stay, giving me the flexibility to remain in Milan for longer had Steph wanted to stay. I had never even thought of the possibility that trouble might find her. Now I wasn't too sure if that had been a good idea.

"Let's plan to visit Gaia and then I think that we need to go back home. Jackson should be home by now and we can pass all of the information over to his bosses"

The men never questioned that decision, but then again, I knew that they wouldn't. Looking at Steph though I could see that something was worrying her. As the men began to move their things back outside, I followed her into the bedroom and watched as she went to where our bags were on the floor. Making sure that the door was closed I watched her, trying to gage from her expressions the reason that she was so worried.

"Babe. What's wrong?"

I pushed her back to sit on the bed and then sitting down turned her until she was facing me.

"Are you worried about seeing Gaia?"

A shake of her head confirmed what I thought. She was worried about going back home.

"Talk to me Babe"

I asked as I pulled her bottom lip down with my thumb from where she was biting it.

"I'm, what happens when we get back home?"

I had never even considered that she would be thinking of that and knew immediately how she was feeling. Hadn't this been similar to our time in Hawaii when we'd spent a week alone, away from the world. It had been like a dream when I could let my defenses down and just love her. Then we'd had Morelli turn up and everything had gone to shit. Both of us had returned home, back to the real world and never spoke about it again.

"What we have is real Babe, wherever we are. No ignoring it or denying it. I want everyone to know that you and I are together for keeps. Would you live with me when we get home?"

That had those beautiful blue eyes looking up at me, though I could still see some concern there. I knew that she strived for her independence, probably from after her divorce from Dickie when she ended up with nothing. Maybe that was why she would never commit to Morelli, why she always went back to that apartment of hers.

"We could live in your apartment if you want"

That surprised the hell out of her. I wouldn't like it, but if that was what it would take then I could handle it.

"You'd forfeit those amazing sheets and bed and having Ella there and do that?"

"If that's what it means to wake up with you every morning, then yes. Though there is a house that has your name as joint owner nearby"

I watched as the frown deepened so pressed my thumbs across her brow to relax her.

"If anything had ever happened to me, regardless of whether we were together or not, I always wanted you to have somewhere to escape to, to call your own"

I'd never told anyone, well except for my lawyer, how important Steph was to me, so I'd written her into my will just over a year ago. The house was jointly owned by the two of us along with a large amount of my personal wealth. I never wanted her to have to be left with nothing, to have no options at what she wanted to do. I wanted her to fly, to have the choice of who she wanted to be.

"What if I'd married Morelli?"

Yeah, she was surprised with what I'd just told her.

"Then it would still have been yours and maybe I'd have haunted it if he stepped inside"

Hearing her laugh settled my nerves because I had planned to wait to ask her to live with me because I'd said that we'd go at her speed and here I was trying to push her into doing what I'd dreamed of.

"Okay"

I raised an eyebrow because for once I had no idea what that answer meant, for once I actually needed to hear the words.

"Yes, I'll live with you"

I've never been a man who acted impulsively but it seemed that being with her right now drove all sense from me and for the first time in my life I felt a deep feeling of love and contentment settle over me. I moved my hand to tangle through her hair at the back of her head and pulled her closer to me relishing the feel of her as she allowed the kiss to deepen. My body was humming with the need for her, sensations going straight to my groin as it strained against the zipper of my cargos. I was lost in the feel of her, in the sounds that she was making but not so totally unaware of my surroundings that I didn't hear the knocking on the door. Did I sigh as I pulled away from her and rested my forehead against mine, definitely?

"We need to go Babe"

Though seeing her flushed face and those dreamy blue eyes it was the last thing on my mind. Leaving the room, I watched as Steph disappeared into the bathroom and turned to see Santos watching her.

"Sorry if I disturbed anything"

Like his face showed that he was sorry so as I walked past him my hand automatically flew out across the back of his head.

"Don't embarrass Steph"

I emphasized knowing how Santos would just love to do that.

Two hours later I was making my way around the property where Gaia lived. Santos was in the car with Steph which was parked at the end of a track that led down from the property, Bobby was watching the front entrance, keeping an eye on the reporters that seemed to be camped out there and Hector was checking out the buildings that Steph had described as where any weddings took place. As I'd looked down on the clear blue water of the pool, I could appreciate the serenity and beauty of the place as a wedding venue. There was evidence that anyone was using the facility, no voices or music and I wondered if news of Dario's activities had had people cancelling.

"Barn accommodation empty, checking out eatery"

Came from Hector which only confirmed my thoughts. Skirting around the base of a hill to stay out of sight of the main house I had the area that Steph described as a small holding in view. I could see one man as he poured water into buckets for some goats and an elderly lady working on a turned over section of earth, pulling what looked like vegetables out of the ground before placing them in a basket by her side. I stepped back into the cover of trees as a second women emerged from the back of the house and as she went over to who I knew was Gaia. Words were exchanged before she shouted across to the man who having finished what he was doing walked over to join them.

I assumed that the two people with Gaia were the housekeepers, Maria and Luciano, but wasn't sure if they lived here or not. Steph hadn't known so they might be a problem if they lived here and came across us. A few minutes later the couple disappeared, and the sound of a car engine broke the silence.

"Car leaving"

Which meant that we might have a window of opportunity to search through the house.

"Accessing main house"

Hector must have watched as the couple left which meant that he would search the rooms. My biggest worry was that Allegro and her friends might hide out here. Perreti had no clue that they were involved so wouldn't be looking for them and the daughter might feel that she needed to console her mother. I continued around the edge of the trees and moved toward the side of the house, my target being a window that would be ideal to enter from. Once there I used some clips and wire to bypass the sensor on the window and slowly pulled it open.

"Entering lower ground floor"

The room that I found myself in was where Steph had said the paintings were that she'd seen of her grandfather as a child. I recognized the large portrait having seen a photo from Steph's phone so stopped to look at it further. It was like seeing Steph's eyes staring back at me from the woman sat there, the same blue, and in some ways a similar expression. I hadn't realized that from the poor quality of the photos that I'd seen. I forced myself away from the portrait to look around the room, it was like stepping back into a past era. The ornate room was plush and filled with antiques but was empty of people.

"Upstairs clear"

Which meant that we only needed to clear the ground floor rooms. It was a beautiful house that showed the excellent quality of renovations that had been done, everything was good quality and in keeping with the period of the house. I signaled to Hector as he came down the stairs for him to check out the rooms at the front of the house while I headed toward the back. A large farmhouse kitchen that was clean and tidy though the smell that permeated the air suggested that someone had been cooking. A quick look on stove showed a pan with some type of soup inside and there was a basket of fresh bread next to it. Maybe the housekeeper prepared meals for Gaia before she left with her husband for the day. There was certainly no evidence of anyone else using the house.

As I looked around the door, I heard the all clear in my ear from Hector so knew that this was the last room to look at. A large bright sunroom that had the feel of a place where someone spent most of their time was as Steph had described it and was also empty of anyone. Double doors opened up into the garden, where I saw Gaia stand up before bending down to retrieve her basket.

"Santos, front door"

It would take Santos and Steph a few minutes before I met them at the front door, ready for Steph to confront Gaia. As I stood outside that door, I knew that we had covered the house and the surroundings. Bobby was still at the front entrance, Santos would guard the car and the entrance from the track and Hector would be close to the doors that led from the sunroom to outside. I was pretty sure that if Allegro were to visit then she would want to avoid the reporters and would use the track through the woods.

As I saw Steph, I stepped closer to the door so that she would see me. I wasn't too sure what Gaia would make of me being with Steph, but I hadn't wanted her alone with the woman. Older women could be very deceptive, and I would treat her as a threat. Taking Steph's hand, I walked her into the house as she called out Gaia's name.

"Gaia, it's Stefania"

As we walked toward the sunroom the door opened and Gaia was stood there just looking at Steph.

"I'm so sorry Gaia, I wanted to come and see you but felt that I needed to give you some time first"

"I never expected to see you again. Come through"

I think that Gaia was genuinely shocked to see Steph and her looking me over didn't go unnoticed by either Steph or me. As we stepped into the room, I felt Steph come to a standstill wondering how she was going to approach Gaia.

"This is Carlos, he came here from home"

I stepped forward and extended my hand pleased when Gaia took it. She was still looking at me, but she didn't seem as worried as she had been.

"I appreciate you coming. I haven't left here. What with the reporters and the way people look at me in the village, it's been hard"

I watched as Gaia walked over to the couch and was next to Steph as she followed. Gaia suddenly produced three glasses from a cabinet by the wall and indicated for us to sit down. Her hand was shaking as she poured some red wine into the three glasses.

"I don't know how to feel about what's happened. Disgusted with Dario for what he's been accused of or annoyed at how he's managed to wreck everyone's lives around him"

I could empathize with what she was saying but only if she was innocent of what Allegro was up to. I doubted that she would ever really recover when it came to light that her daughter was also close to being arrested.

"You're strong Gaia, I'm sure with time things will level out"

Steph reached forward and held her hand over Gaia's as though to try and comfort her.

"Maybe Allegro will emigrate like your grandfather did. He couldn't cope with what his brother was into. I'd always thought that the genes for such appalling behavior had died with him"

Interesting that Gaia's father had also been on the wrong side of the law. I wasn't aware that he'd been arrested but maybe he was good at hiding his activities from the law but not from his family.

"I didn't know Gaia. Grandad never told us why he decided to leave Italy"

I brought the wine glass to my lips but didn't allow any of the red wine to enter my mouth, as I'd said I would be on my guard, just in case.

"I suppose I should be grateful that he kept that secret to himself. I was so pleased when I managed to connect with your father and his family, as though there was an opportunity to reunite the family"

"I'm sure that dad will keep in touch, I will Gaia"

As long as Gaia was totally innocent of any wrong doing because there was no way I would allow Gaia or her family to hurt Steph.

"How's Allegro coping?"

I almost smiled at how easily Steph could manipulate a conversation by maintaining that concerned approach yet getting straight to what she wanted to know.

"Struggling. Like me she's disgusted and annoyed. Her business has taken a hit but she's strong, she's looking at ways to salvage it. I think Lucio has abandoned her but Allegro always was the brains behind their success, she'll adapt"

"And you?"

An interesting question that I suppose might give us an idea of much Gaia knew.

"I have some savings and we're reasonably self sufficient. I plan to change the name of the business and revert to my maiden name in the hope that people will forget and come back. Allegro offered to help me financially but I refused. I've been here before so I know how hard it is and that I'll get through it"

At least she was being honest. I knew that I was seeing a strong woman and in some ways she reminded me of Steph, a resilient woman who would fight for her survival and come out stronger.

"I was hoping to say goodbye to Allegro"

"She's been so busy sorting through everything. Someone destroying her apartment, well that had her realizing that she needed to keep a low profile. I offered the barn for her to live at but she said that she needed to stay busy with work. Are you going back home Stefania?"

I wasn't sure that Steph saying that was a good idea but then on considering it decided that if anyone really wanted to find us they'd look in Trenton first. It was our home territory so probably the safest place to be. Would Allegro and her friends really be looking for Steph if she left the country? besides, once we spoke with the FBI their secret would be out and Interpol would have a good chance of finding them.

"There's nothing here for me now and I miss my family and friends"

Gaia finished her wine and looked to be thinking something over surprising me when she suddenly stood up.

"I want you to take something back with you"

I became worried as she quickly left the room just in case she was calling someone to let them know that we were here. I was soon following behind, holding my hand up to have Steph stay where she was. I could always make the excuse that I was looking for a bathroom should Gaia spot me, though I'd make sure that didn't happen. Seeing Gaia disappear into that old room I stayed at the open door and watched her as she approached the fireplace. She spent a few minutes just looking at the portrait before she turned and approached a large cabinet set into the alcove. After opening the lower door, I was confused why she was bringing out a tin that contained chocolates out. I'd checked that tin on my earlier visit. As she closed the cabinet door and started to walk toward me, I retreated back into the sunroom to join Steph. After a quick shake of my head, I sat down, taking Steph's hand in mine.

Gaia returned with the box sitting back down on the couch with the box held on her knee.

"Your great grandparents were wealthy people and believed in material methods for ensuring their money was safe. I don't think they ever stepped into a bank. Apparently, our grandfather's mother was devastated when he left and never returned. On her death it was discovered that she'd divided her most treasured jewelry between her sons. My father inherited a set that contained Jadeite jewels, which I subsequently inherited. These though were for your grandfather, so they are now yours"

I watched as Gaia opened the box and removed the top layer of chocolates from the box. Underneath was a dark blue velvet bag that she removed and then held for Steph to take. Steph was totally mystified by what she'd just done but automatically took the bag from Gaia's hand. She was still just looking at Gaia I suppose wanting to know what Gaia had just done. I heard a small laugh come from Gaia as she took back the bag from Steph's hand and proceeded to open it.

"I used to keep all of my jewelry in a safe upstairs in my bedroom. Then I had thieves break in and they stole everything that was precious to me. These were always kept in my grandparent's room along with the portraits. I suppose my grandmother felt that they were closer to her son being in there. Fortunately, the thieves didn't know that, so I've kept them there ever since. I tried to explain to your father that there were things in that room that belonged to him, but he said that he wasn't the person to have them"

While Gaia explained that to us, she had undone the bag and was removing the contents and placing them carefully on the table. I have to admit that the jewelry that she removed was beautiful and looked extremely expensive with the sapphires set into all of the pieces. Steph was lost for words as she looked at them. I was pretty sure that she was scared to touch them and after a few minutes of just absorbing what she was looking at she looked over to Gaia.

"But these are yours. They could help you to rebuild what you've lost"

Gaia was shaking her head as Steph said that.

"No. They are more than priceless, they are part of your family history. They are an heirloom that should always stay in your family. My grandmother, your great grandmother knew that they'd find their way home to their rightful owner. I can see that now, you are so like her even the color of your eyes is the same as hers, the same as the stones. Maybe she knew that one day those eyes would reemerge somewhere down the line"

I had to admit that Steph's eyes were a very unusual color considering that her father's eye color was a pale brown and her mothers were a bluish grey, maybe it was that recessive gene from her great grandmother. I could see that Steph was emotional as she started to lift each of the pieces of jewelry and look at it. To me those sapphires looked real but I was no expert. I had no doubts in my mind now that Gaia had no idea what Allegro had done or was doing. Gaia would never have given that jewelry to Steph had she known that they were replicas. If we discovered later that they were replicas then that would definitely implicate Allegro, though I had a feeling that Allegro didn't know about them. She'd have known about her mother's inheritance and maybe because they'd eventually be hers then she was just taking them early.

"Go Stefania, go home with your young man"

Gaia ensured the pieces of jewelry were returned to the velvet bag before she pressed them into Steph's hand and then hugged her tightly.

"Give my love to your father and maybe I might see you both in the future"

I had my arm around Steph's shoulder as I led her out of that room with Gaia stood watching us. Both women had tears in their eyes.