Her Ruthless Italian Boss

by Christina Hollis

  CHAPTER FIVE

  PULLING off his mask, Luca stared accusingly at the crowd around Beth.

  He said something in Italian and the crowd dispersed. His accent was harsh, and he motioned for a waiter to take her glass. Beth hung onto it defiantly. His dark eyes dared her to resist as both his hands clamped over hers. Beth knew his touch would trap her, but it was still a shock to feel all her resistance drain away. She could do nothing but watch as he lifted the glass of orange juice from her fingers, then replaced it with a full one from the tray.

  ‘I’m sorry. I seem to have frightened your new friend Giulio away.’

  Beth flushed, resenting the suggestion she could be interested in anyone but him. ‘I was trying to get rid of him myself, actually.’

  ‘My arrival seems to have done the job for you.’ Luca nodded with satisfaction. ‘So you can relax, Beth. There’s no reason to breathe quite so fast now.’

  She looked down. Her breasts were rising and falling rapidly, fluttering above the tightly boned bodice of her dress. She became aware that the pressure of it against her nipples was caressing them into peaks of excitement. Combined with the nearness of Luca, it made her temperature shoot off the scale. To try and hide the tell-tale signs of her arousal she clasped both hands around her glass and held it up to her chest. Luca responded with a hint of his old amusement.

  ‘You’re looking warm, too. Some of the other girls have brought fans. Shall I ask around and see if I can borrow one for you?’

  Beth thought she saw the darkness fade from his eyes for a second as he looked at her. Then the spell was broken, and he turned away to signal for more ice. When it arrived, he picked up one of the glittering cubes with a pair of silver tongs.

  ‘How many?’ He hovered it over her new glass of juice. ‘Just one? Or—’

  A freezing droplet of water fell straight down into her cleavage. With a squeal of surprise Beth clapped one hand to her mouth. She looked around guiltily, but hardly anyone had noticed, and only one person cared.

  Luca was laughing. Really laughing!

  ‘Do you remember the time when—?’ he began, but as the ice hit her drink the temperature plummeted again. ‘No…no, we mustn’t start going over old ground like that.’

  The usual guarded look slipped back over his face, hiding his feelings like a cloud. You don’t need that silver mask to complete your disguise, Beth thought. Your features are set in one for most of the time. Thanking him for the ice, she tried to think of some way to bring the long-lost smile back to his face again.

  ‘Will the two of us be eating our way through leftover party food for breakfast tomorrow, Luca?’ She laughed softly.

  He looked around the crowd, and almost stopped frowning. ‘There won’t be any leftovers. This lot are worse than locusts. It’s the same at all my parties—I want my guests to be able to indulge.’

  It was then she saw the first hint of a smile from Luca. ‘It pleases them. And seeing people enjoy themselves pleases me. Which reminds me—why didn’t you make your customary grand entrance to the party, Beth? When I looked around you were edging your way in here like a little mouse. It isn’t like you to pass up the chance of being the centre of attention.’

  She smiled nervously, fluttering her fingers around the rim of her glass. ‘I don’t really know anyone in Venice yet, except you and Ben.’

  ‘All the more reason to make a statement, I would have thought.’ His voice became low and teasing, and what happened next almost stopped Beth’s heart. Taking the glass of orange juice out of her hands, he lodged it on the nearest table. Then he reached for her arm and looped it into the crook of his elbow. In an instant she went from being a lost soul to being held firm against the warm stability of him.

  ‘Come with me to the orchestra platform, Beth. It’s time for my two new members of staff to be introduced to everyone.’

  Beth could hardly take in what he was saying. It was difficult enough to believe what was happening, but the effects convinced her. Luca’s appreciation always transformed her. Tonight was no exception. His magic worked instantly. As he swept her across the room on his arm she felt taller, lighter, and somehow more beautiful. The crowd ebbed away before them like a sea; with the rustle of beautiful costumes and whispers of ‘Who is she?’ echoing in waves through the ballroom.

  With Luca’s reputation, Beth knew the question must be asked every night of the week. Escorting her like this could mean nothing to him, but for her it was priceless. For a few glorious seconds, she had all his attention. Right now, nothing else mattered.

  On their way across the dance floor, Luca made a small movement of his hand to summon Ben. He fell in behind his boss like the dutiful employee he was.

  ‘Pull your mask down if you’re going to laugh, Beth,’ Luca whispered with a twinkle. ‘The old Venetians knew what they were doing when they perfected the masquerade. It gives everyone the chance to hide their real feelings.’

  He was right. All sorts of intrigues could be carried on behind masks. Romances might start and secrets could be passed, all behind a veil of respectability. No names, no pack drill, was the phrase Luca used. Beth had been right to think it was a shame he had seen straight through her disguise. Anonymity might have given her the nerve to ask him for some advice.

  Beth so desperately needed Luca’s support. He had the experience of turning a bad situation to his own advantage. That was exactly what she wanted to do, but she was afraid. The thought of seeing his haunted, beautiful eyes harden if she asked for his help meant she could never come straight out with a request. During the evening, she had watched him talk so easily with his other masked guests. If only she could have asked him for advice anonymously…

  She stood and listened while Luca said how delighted he was to welcome his two new employees. Most of his praise was directed towards Ben. In the past, Beth would have complained at being sidelined. Tonight she was relieved Luca glossed over her arrival, as there were many important sponsors in the audience. They didn’t need reminding that the wages of Ben’s pet PA would be coming out of the company’s profits. I don’t want to be a parasite any more, Beth thought. The sooner I can strike out on my own, the better. She had grown to hate relying on other people. Asking Luca for help in finding a new career would be the last time she used anyone—if only she could find the courage to take that first step.

  When Luca’s announcement had been made, Ben thanked him on behalf of himself and Beth. With relief, she realised this meant she didn’t need to say anything, just lap up the praise. The whole, vast room applauded them. Then Luca announced the music would begin again.

  ‘Thank you,’ Luca nodded to Ben and Beth in turn. ‘And now, I promised the next dance to the Austrian minister’s wife. If you would both excuse me…’

  Treating them to his usual professional smile, Luca swept off without a backward glance at Beth.

  ‘Luca, wait!’ Beth called, but he did not seem to hear her. She stared after him in bewilderment. Were things so bad between them he only paid attention to her when she could be useful to his image?

  Men immediately surrounded Beth, all asking her to dance. She accepted several offers one after another, but it was only to keep Luca’s show on the road. He wanted his guests to have a happy evening. Dancing with some of them was the least she could do to help him, but none of them made any impression on her. Luca was the only partner she wanted, but it was a hopeless dream. He kept himself fully occupied with everyone else. She didn’t want to notice, but, as always, Luca was impossible to ignore. He had become a chameleon, forever changing according to his surroundings. And his surroundings were now out of this world, Beth thought, looking around at the happy, well-fed guests enjoying his opulent palazzo. Luca had adapted, and spectacularly. Somehow, she was going to have to do the same.

  At one o’clock in the morning, a ball supper was announced. Cocktails were mixed by a flock of uniformed staff. Silver dishes of seafood snacks were handed around, and every variati
on on the theme of coffee was on offer. Beth was looking forward to a rest, but she didn’t get one. One minute she was trying to find a place to park her empty glass. The next second Luca was standing in front of her: tall, broad and wearing what he used as a smile nowadays.

  ‘I knew I could rely on you to make a good impression tonight, Beth.’

  She was not fooled for one second. ‘Hmm…I can hear a “but” hovering in your voice, Luca.’

  ‘Some of the men who work for me have what you might call—’he raised his shoulders and spread his hands ‘—elastic morals?’

  ‘Well, you’re a fine pot to be calling kettles black!’

  He looked at his watch, and his smile faded. ‘Yes, but I can look after myself, Beth. I came over to give you some advice. Try and keep your distance from my male guests. They aren’t all to be trusted when it comes to a beautiful woman in such a stunning outfit. Especially Giulio Rosso…there is a rumour going around he wants to set up in business on his own account, hoping to use contacts he has made while working for FFA.’ Luca spoke as though it was an unforgivable sin.

  ‘Oh…’ Beth nipped her lip.

  He saw the gesture and looked concerned. ‘You’re worried, I can tell. What is it, Beth?’

  She had been screwing up her courage all evening. It had reached a point where she was almost ready to ask Luca for help and to hell with the consequences. Now he was telling her he hated people who used contacts they made through him. How could she try and take advantage of his knowledge after a warning like that?

  ‘I—I’m sorry, Luca. I’ve had to promise Giulio the next dance, in return for a few minutes’ peace now.’

  Luca looked around like a hawk at the chattering crowds.

  ‘So where is he now, then, this latest conquest of yours?’

  ‘He’s gone to fetch me a coffee.’

  Luca raised his brows in mock irritation and summoned a waiter. ‘You don’t need to change the habits of a lifetime, Beth. A night like this calls for more.’

  Beth thanked the waiter, but refused a drink from his tray of sparkling cocktails.

  ‘Quite honestly I was glad of an excuse to send Signor Rosso off for refreshments, Luca. He seems the sort who might easily get distracted by someone else on the way. I was hoping he’d never make it back to me.’

  Luca was about to pick up a glass from the cocktail tray but when he heard that, he abandoned it.

  ‘Damn it—forget him, forget all this and dance with me instead. I can show you that although I may have gone too far last night, it was an exception,’ he added, with an unusually mischievous twinkle.

  Beth hesitated. All she wanted was to feel Luca’s arms around her again. Perhaps the tiny thaw she had noticed when he had added ice to her drink was still going on. She hadn’t seen him look this relaxed since her arrival in Venice.

  He raised a brow and smiled wickedly. ‘And, anyway, a good host will always please his guests.’

  Beth’s dream of rekindling their romance faltered and died. She ought to have guessed that asking her to dance was nothing but a gesture to him. Why can’t he see it means so much more to me? she thought desperately. Too scared to speak in case she said something silly the moment he touched her, Beth looked up at him. Luca was already tired of waiting. Putting out his hand, he took hers, crushing her soft skin in the sandpaper grip she knew so well. His other hand slid around her waist and drew her in towards his body. Suddenly, words were no longer a problem because nothing could express the way Beth felt. The only thing that mattered was the certainty of his hands. He guided her into the dance. She was speechless with delight at the way he took control, holding her close and sweeping her around the floor.

  ‘You can stop looking so surprised, Beth. It’s only a waltz, after all.’ He looked down at her expectantly as they circled the room together.

  Despite her breathless panic, she managed to mumble something in reply. His smile widened.

  ‘It’s a vital skill for an officer, Beth. As you would have known if you had bothered to ask me, once upon a time.’

  Beth flushed. ‘But you would never take me to formal dances!’ she managed to say. ‘That was why I accepted Tristram’s first invitation, and all the trouble started. He was your friend, and I thought he was only being friendly to me in turn. By the time I realised he had more in mind, it was too late.’

  Luca’s snort of derision brought her back to earth. His disbelief stung, and in seconds all the disappointment and rage she had stifled over the years came flooding back. She planted her feet down firmly in the middle of the dance floor and stopped, which meant Luca had to stop, too.

  ‘I was lonely, Luca!’

  ‘I hope you aren’t trying to shift the blame for what happened onto me, Beth. It was your decision to finish our affair.’

  ‘Tristram only asked me out in the first place because he felt sorry for me.’

  Luca’s face changed. She had shocked him, and it was a second or so before he managed to put it into words.

  ‘And you went with him, despite the fact he pitied you?’ he said incredulously.

  ‘But I didn’t know that at the time! It only came out after we—when he and I…’ Beth faltered, trying not to notice all the other dancers circling around them. Every other couple was busily trying to ignore the fact their host and his partner were facing up to each other in the centre of the floor.

  ‘You’re telling me Anderson threw that accusation back at you after the event?’ Luca grimaced. ‘That isn’t the way to treat a lady.’

  Beth could hardly believe what she was hearing. ‘You didn’t do much better! You were the one who put me in that position in the first place!’ she cried softly, desperate not to draw any more attention to their argument. ‘You left me on my own all the time! You were never there! I’m not a nun, Luca.’

  ‘Of course you aren’t. Then, as now, you were always a real little principessa.’

  It was a jibe that angered Beth, and Luca knew it. Without giving her a chance to come back at him, he swept her off her feet and back into the dance. Spinning her into a series of elaborate turns, he forced her to concentrate on her footwork. The applause at this display stopped Beth from retaliating, and gave Luca the chance to air a theory he’d been working on for a long time.

  ‘I was “never there”, Beth, because I was always so busy with the “active” part of active service. Tristram Anderson did nothing more dangerous than office work. That must have made him feel inferior. So he tried to steal you, as a way to get back at me.’ His grip tightened on her fingers, but the band was reaching its finale. To applaud them, Luca dropped her hand like a red-hot ember and stood back from her. Beth studied his face as everyone clapped. He was smiling, but at his other guests—not at her.

  Strolling off to the stage, Luca brought the evening to a close. Beth stood and watched him, her mind and body in turmoil. He had held her so close during their dance that for a second or two anything seemed possible. But that was over now. She felt confused and angry, as though she had woken up too soon and seen a wonderful dream snatched away from her. Luca was so handsome, so capable and once upon a time he had been hers. But she had thrown it all away.

  I must have been out of my mind, she thought. Silvia the housekeeper was right—it was madness to walk away from a man like Luca. The audience here tonight was practically in love with him. You could see it in their eyes. His easy manner and beautiful speaking voice charmed them all over again as he wished them goodbye. Anyone would be insane to turn their back on him.

  And I was, she thought sadly as she joined in the final applause.

  Beth took advantage of the gaggle of people flocking out of the grand entrance hall to slip away unnoticed. She went straight up to her rooms. Locking the door of the suite behind her, she fell back against its solidity and stood there for a long time. She was filled with a strange mixture of relief and gloom. In the short time she had been in Venice she had come close to making a fool of herself half a
dozen times. Luckily—although it hardly felt like that to Beth—Luca’s attitude had always managed to stop her going the whole way, in any sense of the word. Every time she seemed to be making progress with him, he raised his defences and shut her out. If she could only make him realise she wasn’t the flighty party girl he’d once known. She had done a lot of growing up, but was it enough? Until a few hours ago, Beth had convinced herself all she needed from Luca was the chance of a career. Dancing with him had scattered all her grand plans like gold dust. The touch of his hands had brought all her deepest emotions back to the surface. All she really wanted was Luca, but that fairy tale had no hope of coming true.

  She flicked on a light switch. Its dazzle sparkled over the sequinned evening bag she had decided against taking to the party. Walking over to the table, she picked it up. In the silence of her lonely suite she heard a few forgotten coins roll from one end of the purse to the other. It gave her an idea. Taking out the handful of change, she dropped the bag and let herself out onto the landing again. Looking to left and right, she decided it was safe to make a quick trip downstairs. There was no one to see where she was going. Apart from the sound of cleaning staff clattering away in the ballroom, the whole house seemed deserted.

  Lifting her heavy velvet skirts, she ran down the stairs and into the central courtyard. Cold moonlight fell in pools on the ancient herringbone brickwork. The wellhead cast a big black shadow over the narrow staircase leading to the upper floor, but there was enough light for Beth to see what she was doing. Stepping up onto the plinth, she clutched the coins she had brought until their metal forged new creases in her hand. Squeezing her eyes tightly closed, she made a heartfelt, desperate wish and threw her money into the blackness of the well. As the hailstorm of coins rattled against the brickwork, Beth heard a slight rustle behind her. A frisson of fear ran up and down her spine and she turned. At the exact moment her offering splashed into the invisible water far below Luca stepped out of the shadows.