CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Of all the things Liam expected Romano to say, this wasn’t in the list. The old man was dying. A ploy or the truth? No matter what Romano claimed, Liam would ask Zane to confirm. “The doctors are sure?”
“No question. They’ve given me three months. After losing your parents when you were young, Piper, I thought it best to tell you in person.”
Piper’s pallor made her bruised and puffy lip more noticeable. “Is experimental treatment an option?”
He shook his head. “The cancer is too advanced. My body is riddled with it. I’ve come to accept the inevitable. You should, too.” Romano inclined his head toward Liam. “I’m glad you have a friend who will be here for you when I’m gone. You’ll need him.”
Liam didn’t like the sound of that. “Why do you say that?”
“It’s why I asked Piper to come home.”
Uneasiness roiled in Liam’s gut. Romano’s words and tone hinted at Piper’s permanent presence in Hartman. Her living in the middle of Barone’s turf wasn’t happening.
“Tell me, Uncle Gino.” Piper’s voice sounded thick.
Liam threaded his fingers through hers. Small comfort, but better than nothing. He’d give anything to take the pain from her. Since he couldn’t, he’d comfort her however possible.
“You’re my only living relative. When I’m gone, the estate will be yours. I’ve named you as executor of my will. You will also be given the presidency of my company.”
Piper was shaking her head before he finished speaking. “I’ll settle your estate but I’m not moving back to Hartman. I have a life I love in Otter Creek. Besides, I know nothing about the video game industry and don’t have any interest in learning.”
He waved her protests aside. “We’ll talk tomorrow. I’ll take you to the company and let you see what we’ve been doing while you were away. Dinner will be ready in two hours.”
Gino opened the door to the hall and signaled one of the security guards. “Todd, show Piper’s friend where he’ll sleep, then help with their luggage.” He glanced over his shoulder at Piper and Liam. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
“This way,” Todd said, his voice holding a hint of a growl. He strode down the hall and up the curving staircase to the second floor. He turned right, pausing in front of a room at the end of the hallway. He threw open the door and glanced at Liam. “This is your room. The lady is across the hall. Mr. Romano thought you’d prefer to stay close together. Give me your remote and I’ll bring your luggage.”
“You have more important things to do. I’ll bring our gear inside. Thanks for the offer.”
A shrug of the massive shoulders. “Suit yourself.” He turned and left.
“Liam, I…”
He turned and kissed her with gentle thoroughness, cutting off the flow of words. “Wait,” he whispered against her lips.
Liam nudged her inside the room, closed the door to the hall, and searched. Fifteen minutes later, he’d disabled two bugs and one camera. “Now your room,” he murmured.
“Knowing someone is listening and watching us is creepy.”
And puzzling. If Romano was honest about his health, why would he spy on his niece and her guest? Was he involved in the abduction attempts and Gavin’s murder?
Liam was sure he’d find devices in Piper’s room to keep tabs on her and her conversations. The search yielded two bugs and two cameras, one of them in her bathroom. Burning with fury, he disabled the devices. Liam held her close. “You okay, Sunshine?”
She shuddered. “I might never be okay again. My uncle is spying on me. I can understand spying on you even though it’s insulting. You’re a stranger to him. But his own flesh and blood? What’s he involved in that he’s making sure I haven’t turned on him?”
His arms tightened. “We don’t know Romano is responsible for the electronics. Could be anyone with access to his estate.”
“That would include the security guards, the maids, the housekeeper, my uncle’s personal assistant, and the chef that comes in for special events. Even the lawn care people come inside the house on occasion.”
Liam blew out a breath, frustrated at the revolving door of Romano’s home. How was he supposed to narrow down the list of suspects when so many people trekked in and out? “That can’t happen at our home. The security risk is too great.”
“No problem. I want to take care of our home and children myself. I don’t want our home to be like this one. Don’t misunderstand me. I love my uncle and I’m grateful he took me in instead of letting me grow up in the foster care system. But as close as I thought we were, Uncle Gino left most of my care to Sophia. He lavished praise on me when I did what he wanted. The minute I deviated from his plan, he pressured me to give in. I couldn’t marry Gavin, Liam, even to make my uncle happy.”
“I’m glad you stood up for yourself. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met you.”
“What do we do now?”
“Bring our gear inside.” Well, most of his gear. Liam wouldn’t unload his Go bag or the case containing his sniper rifle. Whoever installed the bugs and cameras in their rooms would nose around in their belongings. “Each time we leave the rooms, we’ll have to search them again. If we’re not vigilant, someone will slip in more devices to keep track of us.”
“When should we go after the information Gavin left?”
“Is the information inside a building or outside?”
“It’s in a botanical garden on the outskirts of Hartman. Archer Botanical Garden is one of my favorite places to visit. Gavin and I spent a lot of time there.”
He eyed her. “Have you ever been to the Opryland Hotel in Nashville?”
Piper’s eyes lit. “No, but I’ve heard it’s incredible.”
“The hotel has an atrium you’d enjoy.”
“Maybe we can visit one day.” She smiled. “If we find time to travel between your missions and my job.”
“We’ll make time.” Opryland was the perfect place to spend part of their honeymoon. From there, they’d fly to their ultimate destination. Maybe the Bahamas. He’d think about that.
Liam dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Recognizing her uneasiness, he wrapped his hand around hers and led her from the room. Together, they retrieved part of their gear. “Would you give me a tour of the house and estate?” Liam had studied the schematics Zane unearthed. Didn’t mean the house still matched the schematics. Many homeowners remodeled their living spaces.
“Where do you want to start?”
He glanced out her bedroom window. “Outside while we still have light.”
The minute they walked outside the house, a security guard trailed them. Although Liam kept an eye on the guard, the man stayed twenty feet behind them during their tour.
He listened to Piper talk about changes in the estate since she left home and noted the security measures around the grounds including the placement of guards and security cameras and the hum of an electric fence. To Liam, the estate resembled a prison more than a home and wondered if that was a factor in Piper’s vehemence at living somewhere other than Hartman.
When they returned to the front of the house, the guard waited at the foot of the stairs until they walked inside. “The grounds are beautiful and well-maintained. Your uncle must have a landscape team to keep everything looking so lush and beautiful.”
“He has a team of five who care for the plants and trees and trim the lawn.” She tugged on his hand. “Come on. Let me show you the home I grew up in.”
Piper resumed her running commentary on the changes in the house as they wandered from room to room. Part of her conversation included funny stories about things that happened in different rooms.
Those stories gave him insight into the woman he loved. Love for her uncle was obvious from the affection in her voice when she mentioned him in the stories.
More significant was the role Sophia played in her life. Piper looked on the housekeeper as a beloved aunt, a woman she held in high esteem.
They finished the house tour in the kitchen. When they crossed the threshold, an older woman with salt-and-pepper hair turned from the stove. Her dark eyes lit the moment they saw Piper.
“Welcome home, Piper.” She hurried across the kitchen and embraced Piper, joy in her smile.
“Thank you, Sophia. It’s good to see you again.”
Her gaze dropped to Piper’s mouth and her smile faded. “What happened?” She turned accusing eyes toward Liam.
Piper patted Sophia’s arm. “Not his doing. A little accident. It’s a long story. I’ll be fine in a few days.”
The woman released Piper and turned to Liam. “Introduce me to your friend.”
“This is Liam.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Sophia. Piper’s been telling me how much she misses you.”
The housekeeper teared up. “Oh, Piper. You shouldn’t have stayed away so long.”
“You know why I couldn’t return.”
She waved aside Piper’s comment. “Stubborn pride on both your parts. At least you returned before Mr. Romano passed. It’s so sad. He’s a good man and too young to die.”
Seeing Piper’s jaw tighten, Liam decided a subject change would be wise. More of Piper’s tears would gut him. “Something smells good. What’s for dinner?”
“Lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and an apple cobbler with ice cream for dessert.”
He gave a low whistle. “Wow. I’ll have to run an extra mile tomorrow morning to work off the extra calories.”
The housekeeper’s gaze swept over him. “You don’t have an extra ounce of fat anywhere. Why are you worried about gaining weight?”
“I’m an instructor at a bodyguard training facility. Can’t let my students outrun me. It’s hard enough to keep up with trainees several years younger than I am. Extra weight makes it more difficult to do my job.”
Wide eyes stared at him. “A bodyguard trainer. Are you a bodyguard?”
“Sometimes. I’m in private security. We do various jobs.”
“Do you need help, Sophia?” Piper asked.
“The food is ready and the table is set. If you’ll tell me your drink preference, I’ll carry them to the table in a minute.”
“Iced tea is perfect for both of us. We can take our own glasses, though.” Piper hugged the housekeeper again. “I’m not used to someone waiting on me unless I’m in a restaurant.”
Sophia tilted her head. “Do you eat out a lot?”
She glanced at Liam, lips curving “More since I started dating Liam.”
“We’ll have to send your young man on an errand so you can tell me all about him.”
Liam grinned. “What about having coffee with us after dinner here in the kitchen? You can tell me stories about Piper when she was younger after she spills my secrets.” Maybe Sophia would become an ally. Domestic staff knew what was going on inside a household because the family treated them as if they weren’t there. If something odd was happening in this house, Sophia would know.
Pleasure brightened the housekeeper’s face. “I’d love to catch up with Piper and hear about your romance.”
“It’s a date, then.” He picked up two glasses, filled them with ice, and poured tea for himself and Piper. While the housekeeper rang the dinner bell, Liam escorted Piper into the dining room.
He stopped short at the entrance. “That is quite a display,” he murmured. A large flower arrangement graced the center of the table. Candles were already lit and music played softly in the background. A snowy white tablecloth draped over the table. Glass and silver glittered in the light of the ornate crystal chandelier hanging over the table, and a fire crackled in the fireplace.
“Isn’t it?” Piper looked uncomfortable. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think to warn you this would probably happen.”
Liam chuckled. “I can handle a formal dinner. I would have included dress clothes if I’d known.”
Piper brushed his lips with hers. “I think you look exceptionally good in jeans or cargo pants and a long-sleeved t-shirt.”
“I’m glad since that’s my standard uniform.” He leaned in to press his lips to her temple. “Remember, eyes and ears are everywhere,” he whispered.
She nodded slightly. “Uncle Gino sits near the fireplace.” She frowned as she studied the table. “Four places are set. I wonder who else is expected for dinner?”
At that moment, the doorbell rang.
“We’ll find out in a minute.” Liam seated Piper. He remained standing, preferring to be on his feet to meet the newcomer.
Voices murmured and footsteps heralded the approach of the visitor. Romano walked into the dining room with a dark-haired woman about Piper’s age on his arm.
Piper drew in a sharp breath, her gaze locked on the woman.
Liam frowned. Her face had lost all trace of color. He laid his hand on her shoulder and waited for someone to confirm the woman’s identity.
Romano escorted her to the seat across from Piper. “Sit here, my dear,” he murmured. Once she was seated, he sat at the head of the table. “This is Piper’s friend, Liam.”
He extended his hand across the table. “Ma’am.”
She gave a flirtatious laugh. “Call me Brandy.”