Chapter 34

It was the day after the rehearsal dinner when Tate went in to check on Poppy. He was probably one of Roman's best employees. He was strong, levelheaded, and most of all, caring. When he entered the room to give her lunch, he found her curled into a ball again, crying, pleading to be taken to the hospital. It didn't take the burly man but a few seconds to storm across the mansion, ready to see some heads roll. He had already warned if anything happened to her someone would be held responsible.

Barging into Roman's office he was furious. "Boss, we need to talk… Oh, Anton. Where's Roman?"

Anton looked up from Roman's desk, seemingly upset about something as well. "She's sick, isn't she? I saw on the monitors."

"I thought you don't care about her?" Tate grumbled. "You'd rather see that sweet girl dead."

"I do not. She just gets on my nerves with all her lies. Tate, do you think she's telling the truth about this Poppy thing? Could she really be Claudia's look-alike, or is it another one of her tricks?"

"Yes, I do. That girl in the room is not Claudia Ricci. I would bet every dime I have on it. Did Roman tell you about the tattoo?"

"Yeah. She never liked that sort of thing messing up her perfect body. When I got my last tattoo she said it was trashy. It's really suspicious."

"Yep, and I think he suspects something is up too. Matter of fact, I think he knows that's not Claudia, and deep down you do, too."

"Well, what should we do? It's not like we can just go running off on a wild goose chase over a lie. Claudia has pulled shit like this before. Remember when she convinced Roman to protect her because she was being hunted by a street gang who wanted to sell her body parts on the black market? Come to find out she lied about that. They were just looking to get the money she owned them. She wanted Roman to kill them, so she didn't have to pay. It cost him almost fifty thousand to get them to back off. She lies. That's what she does best."

Tate leaned on the desk, rubbing his chin to think. "First we need to get her a doctor because she's not lying about that stomach pain. In the meantime, you need to stop dragging your feet and find out if Poppy Fields really exist and head to that farm."

"I already looked it up. The farm is there and there is a farmer by the name of Fields."

Hearing those words, Tate took long strides around the table ready to pummel Anton into the ground. Seeing the rage in his eyes, Anton darted away and ran around the table.

"Big guy, relax. Don't do anything you'll regret," he said, darting back and forth to avoid the sure-fire ass kicking he was about to receive.

"Regret. I'll fucking rip you're head off you little shit!" Reaching out, he grabbed Anton by the collar and held him a few inches off the floor. "You knew and didn't tell Roman?"

"I don't have all the information yet, asshole," Anton said shoving the man away, stumbling to his feet as he straightened his shirt. "I just got this pressed and now it's all wrinkled."

"Anton, you idiot, start talking!"

"Dude, Roman didn't want us wasting our time on looking into it. He was more worried about finding out who murdered Beau. Hell, we all thought she was full of shit, anyway."

"And now?"

"Well, this all doesn't mean that Claudia didn't still have someone's identity. The Poppy chic could be living a farm girl life in Indiana for all we know."

Slamming his fist on the table, Tate almost growled. He may have been known for being a big softy, but the large intimidating man wasn't one to piss off. "Anton, you better get your sorry ass down to that farm and find out. So help me, if something happens to this girl on our watch, I'll fucking kill you."

Anton just rolled his eyes. "If I send someone to check it out will you get up off my ass about it? I already checked online. There's only the fashion store website we already know about. She doesn't have much social media presence other than photos of her fashion stuff. Her personal profile was locked."

"Hell no. You're not getting off that easy, slick. You are going to that farm yourself. You're the one who has been spending more time on the golf course than doing your job. Fix this and fix it now. If Claudia did steal her identity, then at least we can figure out something else to get her to confess. Now, I'm going to find Roman. She's sick, and even if it is Claudia, I'm not going to let the girl lie there and die because you two stubborn idiots can't get your head out of your asses!"

Stomping out, Tate slammed the door behind him, literately breaking it off the hinges. Anton was wide-eyed and a little scared. He'd never seen the guy get so mad. Nor had he ever been manhandled by the large guard.

Shaking his head, Anton muttered, "I guess I'm taking a trip to farmland USA. I definitely don't want the Jolly Green Giant coming after me. Humm… I wonder if they have any good golfing spots down there I can visit while I'm at it?"

***

"How l long has she been like this?" Roman asked as he stormed down the hall to Poppy's room.

"About twenty minutes. I couldn't find you. Boss, you must help her. She's really sick."

When Roman entered the room, Poppy was in the fetal position, crying her eyes out. Wreathing in pain, she pleaded for help.

Rushing to her side, Roman took her into his arms. "It's okay, baby. I'm here. We'll get you help."

"Please. It feels like my stomach is ripping in two."

Turning to Tate, Roman commanded, "Tate, call Doctor Stevens. Tell him it's an emergency and to bring his gear."

"Yes sir. Should we call an ambulance?"

"Are you fucking crazy? We kidnapped her. The police will have all of us behind bars. Call the doctor."

"I'm on it. Don't you worry, Miss Poppy."

Quickly, Tate left leaving Roman alone with Poppy. "It's going to be okay. We're going to get you help. I should have sent for the doctor earlier. You said it was just cramps."

"Roman, it hurts. Am I going to die?"

Brushing her hair from her face, Roman looked down in her big brown tear-filled eyes. "No, my princess. You're going to be fine. I need the truth. This is a medical emergency, and you may need treatment. Whatever you say right now, I'll trust you. Are you Poppy Fields?"

"Yes. My name is Poppy. I swear. You have to believe me."

Reaching to kiss her forehead, he said, "I promise, I'll have my men see if they can find your father, I hope you're telling the truth because I can't fall for Claudia. It would destroy me and I've already gotten too close as is. Since that night at the opera, I needed that sweet girl in the vineyard."

Poppy's eyes went to him as she held her stomach. Tears trailing down her cheeks exposed the truth. They weren't tears of pain now. They were tears of wishing he would discover her true identity, and maybe learn to care about the Indiana girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"I'm not Claudia, but I'm not that girl either. Whoever she is, I hope one day you find someone like her.

"So do I. Hell, maybe I already have. Just rest. The doctor will be here soon."