Page 118 of The Billionaire's Vow

I smiled and skipped that question, but the press had another before Isla had moved us along.

“Do you have any advice for other pregnant mothers?”

Cheeky. And I almost made it out unscathed when someone called a last question to my back.

“Adelina, one more question. Your father, Eric Colby, said in a recent interview that he’s been in touch for a reconciliation. Is that true?”

My father hadn’t and I hoped he’d never try, but I felt confident in showing no reaction to their questions. They were hunting for click bait, and I didn’t give them any last night.

I stopped and rubbed my eyes, debating getting a coffee, when Cassidy walked in with two cups. “Hey. Have you been up long?”

She handed me a cup. “Long enough for a shower and a stop in the kitchen for coffee.”

“You made it?”

She grinned. “I tried. Maggie wouldn’t let me.”

I took a sip. “Mmm. It’s delicious.”

“This is even better.” She handed me her phone. It was a picture of us on the red carpet last night.

“Wow, I love it, Cass.”

“Me too, and wow, what a night.”

I grinned. “Is it always like that?”

She shook her head no. “Not at the ones I’ve been to. The line was long and the press today is all glowing, and I have to agree. The movie was the best I’ve seen this year. The acting, design, costumes, everything was a triumph. You must feel so proud. Your man’s going to get an Academy Award.”

I beamed at her and my heart warmed. “You think so?”

She scoff-laughed and swiped my arm. “You know I do. I can’t shut up about it, and you saw how crazy the crowd went at the end.”

The movie theater was a full house, and everyone around us gave a rousing applause when it finished. It had been better watching the film a second time because at Cannes I’d been too distracted watching Marjorie with Rocco.But I know better now. Rocco loves me and I love him.

I handed her back my phone and picked up mine to send a few clips I found to Rocco and our picture. I also said a prayer his meeting with investors went well. My phone vibrated in my hand. Rocco?Nope. Mama. I’ll let it go to voicemail.

“Mama,” I told Cassidy.

She rolled her eyes, and we both laughed.

“I’ll talk to her later.” I was in too good of a mood to listen to her negativity. “I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be back.”

She went over to look at my additional sketches. “These are amazing.”

“Thank you.” I took one last sip of my coffee then went back upstairs to the bedroom and straight into the shower. After I finished, I padded back into the bedroom to my walk-in closet and froze—the package.

I’d forgotten about it but moved with a gut urgency to look at it. I went to Rocco’s closet, where I put my purse inside an old suitcase last night. To my relief, the suitcase was where I left it. Pulling it out of the cupboard, I hesitated.Do I want to know what’s in it right now?

No matter what I thought of Luca Marini, that package would be our last communication. It would be his actual death. A wave of sadness came over me as I opened the suitcase. My hands reached in the pocket for the purse and came back…with nothing.It’s empty?

I pulled the suitcase further and unzipped it fully. My hands touched inside the other pockets. There was only an old tablet and an empty leather portfolio. I stood, turned the suitcase upside down, and out tumbled the hollowed copy of Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Not only was the package from Luca gone, but possibly the other papers left for me inside the one I found in my room.

Had I left the papers with the paperback? I rubbed my temples, and all I could see in my memory was me moving from planes to places worldwide.Maybe I have the wrong case?

I crawled back to the cupboard and checked the other two suitcases in there, but found nothing. Even after rechecking my closet suitcases and drawers, I still didn’t find them. The hair on the back of my neck raised, and my stomach twisted in knots.Who’s taken them?Or better still, how could I be so careless?

Ileft the room and rushed downstairs to find Maggie. She had breakfast pastries in her hands from the oven.

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