Kidnapping the Brazilian Tycoon by Carmen Falcone

Pai, you shouldn’t have come,” Emanuel said to a frail man in a wheelchair.
    For a reason Addie couldn’t understand, they all seemed to take a deep breath the moment their father approached. She followed suit. After all, he was the reason she was there. The reason why all those Kwani families would have more time to find a home. She felt gratitude toward the man, who had no clue about the extent of his help.
    Bruno’s fingers tensed on her for a moment, and then he withdrew his hand. He approached his father in silence.
    Although skin and bones, the older man had strong features. It was clear he had once been good-looking, with kind but guarded hazel eyes and a long nose. A man who had lived to the fullest.
    “ Pai,” Bruno muttered before leaning down.
    His father murmured something she couldn’t understand. Her conversational Portuguese skills were quite decent, but she would’ve had to have been a lip-reader to grasp the words escaping the man’s lips. She wished she was one.
    The frail old man touched his son on the face. No hug, no kiss. Just a brief outlining of Bruno’s features. And then the moment passed.
    “ Pai , this is Addie, my fiancée.”
    Addie leaned down and kissed the old man on both cheeks, Brazilian style. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    Sergio gave her a once-over, and a warm smile followed. “Welcome to our family, minha querida.”
    “ O-Obrigada ,” she stuttered, guilt filling her insides like a helium balloon. This is for the greater good. Camila gave her a gentle nudge and said with the excitement of someone who’d just gained a sister, “I have to show you your room. The boys will bring the luggage.”
    “My room,” she repeated with relief.
    “The party is scheduled for tomorrow. Pai said he wouldn’t mind if you two shared a room, but Bruno was adamant. He only wanted to share the room after you two were married.” Camila winked. “Sweet, huh?”
    Camila steered her inside and led her into an airy hallway and large living room, which was located next to a media room and a home office. Light yellow walls added brightness and contrasted with the baroque-style furniture, brown sofas, and a couple of recliners. Modern-day luxuries agreed with the colorful, original Romero Britto paintings on the walls.
    All of this and more would have overwhelmed and impressed her, but she gave it little notice as, all the way to her room, she pondered Bruno’s decision about the sleeping arrangements.
    She was relieved, of course. Even one night without sleeping near him would be priceless. Really. Priceless.
    But why hadn’t he explained it to her when she’d mentioned room arrangements in the car? Maybe he just wanted to make her sweat on purpose. His swollen ego probably figured his presence would leave her hot and bothered. She snorted.
    “Something wrong with the room?” Camila asked.
    She blinked. The airy, beige guest bedroom had a classic feel. A plasma TV hung on the wall across from the lovely queen-size bed. A clear vase with big yellow roses was arranged on the bedside table. Everything in its place. “No. It’s great.”
    “You seemed disappointed.”
    Addie shook her head immediately. Disappointed? “No. I really like it. I’m sorry, I’m just jet lagged.”
    Camila pulled the drapes to one side and showed her the gorgeous view of Sugarloaf and the mountains. “I can imagine. I usually need a day or two after I return from the States.”
    “You travel often?” Addie asked as she walked around the room. She placed the oversize designer bag Bruno insisted she have on the top of a white dresser.
    “At least once every two months. It’s hard with Bruno living so far.”
    “How often does he visit?” Addie asked all too quickly, unable to contain herself any longer.
    Camila’s smile faded. “It’s been fourteen years.”
    “That’s a long time.”
    “Yes. This is his first visit since he left Brazil.”
    “Why?” she blurted. Fourteen years? Why