‘Antonio should’ve been on the first flight home when he couldn’t reach Jane.’
‘Si. He should’ve been. I don’t know when he was told about her death but I suspect Damiano held something over his head to stop him from reaching out to your family.’
Olivia let go of his hand and covered her face in horror for a few seconds. ‘If Antonio loved her, I don’t understand why he deserted her—why he went to England in the first place so quickly after Christiana’s birth.’
‘I spoke to Antonio’s former secretary this morning. She knew about Jane and Antonio’s affair and told me Antonio adored your sister and hated leaving her. Apparently, he’d made a deal with Damiano. If Antonio could land the billion dollar deal he was brokering in London, Damiano had promised he wouldn’t try to stand in his way to divorce Lavinia.’
Olivia groaned in frustration. ‘Antonio should’ve stayed by Jane’s side. He should’ve loved her enough to stand up to your father and he shouldn’t have needed his consent to be divorced.’
‘You’re right. There’s no way I’d let anything or anyone separate me from the woman I loved—especially so soon after she’d given birth.’ He shook his head sadly. ‘My brother was weak. ‘
She crossed her arms over her chest and proceeded to rub each of her upper arms in a self-comforting gesture. ‘Jane was so unsure of herself but I hope she didn’t die believing Antonio had never loved her. She’d been a victim in another relationship.’ Her voice broke and her lower lip trembled. ‘I hate to think she died feeling Antonio had used her.’ A great shuddering sob wracked her body. ‘I hate thinking she died thinking she wasn’t worthy of love.’
He placed a hand on her arm. ‘I doubt she accepted my father’s story. I’m sure she knew Antonio loved her, and she also would’ve known you and her parents loved her.’
‘Her death could’ve been avoided.’
‘Quite possibly.’
‘I had the autopsy report translated and the medical examiner said part of the placenta had been retained.’ Her words emerged almost mechanically. ‘By the time the staff became aware of the bleeding, she’d lost too much blood.’
‘The hospital official who checked the medical records told me last night there was no time for a transfusion.’
She hung her head. ‘I wish I’d been there for her but I was ... I had made other arrangements.’
Yes. Wedding arrangements that she obviously still couldn’t talk about.
‘You would’ve been had you known.’
‘I should’ve gone to Rome to see her. I’d asked her not to go to Italy by herself. I’d asked her to wait so we could go together.’
He gave her a little shake. ‘All the recriminations and wishes in the world won’t change the outcome of this tragedy.’
Her voice was hollow. ‘Our siblings were both robbed of any happiness they might’ve known.’
‘Christiana was ultimately denied both her mother and her father,’ he added.
‘Damiano caused her grief.’
Luca stood and moved restlessly in front of her. ‘Si, his interference created the need for sedation and meant she didn’t have a fighting chance, but such an allegation would never get to trial.’
Damn but she knew it was true. The old man was going to get away with all his machinations. ‘What about the surrogacy agreement you said she’d signed?’
He stood with his back to her for a moment before turning around. ‘After her death, Damiano forged Jane’s signature on a document to make Lavinia believe Jane had only ever been a surrogate mother rather than Antonio’s lover. I presume it was also part of the reason Damiano set up the account for Jane—to both pretend to Jane that Antonio no longer wanted her, and to prove to Lavinia that Jane had been paid as a surrogate. The conniving bastard wanted Lavinia and her family to believe Jane had meant nothing more to Antonio than providing him with the child he couldn’t have with Lavinia. I can only assume that in his grief Antonio slipped back into being the same weak guy and did nothing to contradict Damiano.’
How could Jane have fallen for such a weak man?
How could such a weak man have been Luca’s identical twin? They may have been identical in looks but they were definitely nothing alike in character.
Sifting over all he’d told her once again, Olivia surmised, ‘You saw the document so you believed the same thing.’
He nodded and his hands balled at his sides. ‘I’d already heard at Christiana’s Baptism she’d been born by surrogacy. I saw the contract and I judged Jane by it. I’ve never been able to understand how a woman can give a baby away to total strangers unless there are extremely mitigating circumstances. Obviously, I was never told she’d died, but I was told she’d tried to blackmail Antonio.
‘When I first voiced the idea of going to Australia to see if she was a likely candidate for the bone marrow transfer, Damiano advised me against it. He told me your sister had tried to extort money from Antonio after she’d returned to Australia. He said she’d threatened to go to the papers—to claim she’d been mistreated by Damiano.’
‘Your father is evil and your brother was weak. I can’t believe Antonio still didn’t try to contact us once he knew Jane had died. If he’d respected my sister at all, he should’ve made sure we knew about Christiana. Instead, he stayed married to his wife,’ she vented with disgust.
‘Again, you’re right.’ He held out his hands in a gesture of futility. ‘I know Antonio was deeply troubled after Christiana’s birth, but I didn’t realise what was playing on his conscience. I suspect, when Jane died, he was completely devastated. If there’s any defence of his actions, I wonder whether his grief made him an even easier target for Damiano. I can only assume our father persuaded Antonio to concentrate on rebuilding his marriage with Lavinia. Perhaps Antonio thought Christiana would then have a mother.’
‘You want to find something to defend him with and I don’t blame you. I’d want to defend Jane too.’ She raised her hands absent-mindedly to massage her throbbing temples. ‘I can’t credit Lavinia knew nothing about the affair or the baby until after Jane’s death. And, when and how did Antonio find out Jane had died?’
‘I don’t know. I phoned the hospital in the very early hours of this morning and demanded answers. I was put through to senior administrators and discovered Damiano made himself the emergency contact person when he sent Antonio to London. The hospital records show Damiano was contacted by the hospital when Jane was found dead, and he instructed them to contact your family in Australia. There’s no record of anyone from the hospital having contacted Antonio.’ His disgust was evident in every syllable and in the tightness of his posture.
‘It’s unbelievable!’ Yet she did believe him. ‘How could people at the hospital obey your father’s wishes so blindly when Jane would’ve been so distressed at being kept from her baby and because Antonio wasn’t calling her?’
‘You’ve acknowledged the power the Borghetti name carries in Italy. Unfortunately, my father abused his power, and I know it wouldn’t be the first time he’s used bribery to his advantage. His shady practises are why I disassociated myself from him in the first place.’
‘So the officials contacted us.’ She shuddered, remembering the official phone call and its aftermath. She was powerless to stop bitterness permeating through every cell of her body. Damiano Borghetti was a twisted, deceitful individual with a black soul.
‘Olivia, I can never make up for the reprehensible, immoral actions of my father, and the damage he’s caused.’ His hands gripped her shoulders and she felt the intensity of his conviction. ‘But, I will do everything in my power to make life easier for you and for Marjorie. If you want to, you can both move to Italy and I’ll support you.’
Oh God! He was serious.
His integrity struck at the very heart of her and she realised that far from being a man to despise, he was a decent, honourable man. None of this tragedy was his fault, yet he was prepared to take the burden of responsib
ility. Luca Borghetti wasn’t weak like his brother nor heartless like his father. He was a man who cared about others and the impact of his actions upon them.
How wrong she’d been about him—how prejudiced against him. Now she totally respected him—respected that he’d shared with her all he’d learned rather than trying to hide the truth from her.
Luca was already caring for Christiana. Now, he was vowing to try to make things right for her and her mum and assume a responsibility he should never have to carry. He was prepared to atone for an injustice committed by one of his family against hers, but she wasn’t going to allow him the burden of a guilt that shouldn’t be his to bear.
‘We aren’t your responsibility, Luca, and none of this is your fault.’
‘I should’ve known what was happening. I was too caught up in business and a … personal problem I had at the time. I neglected Antonio,’ he declared in harsh judgement of himself as he released his hands from her shoulders and raised one to press against the nape of his neck.
‘He was a fully grown man, Luca, responsible for his own actions and decisions. You weren’t responsible for him.’
‘I sensed all was not right. Antonio was withdrawn and I remember how incredibly cold he was to my father at Christiana’s Baptism. I approached him then, asked him what the problem was, but he refused to talk about it. I should’ve been more insistent.’
‘Your father …’ She grimaced. ‘If I see him, I won’t be responsible for my actions.’
‘I swear he won’t be coming anywhere near you, your mother or Christiana.’
‘What your father did …’ She lowered her head. ‘I’ll never forgive him,’ she vowed half to herself.
‘Neither will I. I cut ties with Damiano when I moved from home. The only times I ever saw him before Antonio’s death were at Christiana’s birthday parties and Baptism. When he challenged me for her custody, the court awarded him visitation rights with Christiana, but after all I’ve now learned, I made it clear to him he’s to stay away from her.’
The strength of his words filled her with confidence. Luca was a powerful man and she imagined he’d be every bit as formidable an opponent as his father, except that he’d play fair.
‘Do you think he’ll challenge your decision in court?’
His face was an impenetrable mask. ‘He won’t want his manipulation made public, but if he challenges me you should have no doubt I’ll win. Now, we have to focus on Christiana.’ One hand slid the cuff of his shirt sleeve up and he glanced quickly at the gold Rolex watch on his wrist. ‘I haven’t told your mother yet. I wanted you to know first.’
‘I’d like to be with you when you speak to her.’
‘I’m dreading having to tell her,’ he confessed. ‘It’ll be good to have you there to support her.’
That he was sensitive to her mum’s reaction and wasn’t afraid to reveal his fears made Luca rise even more in Olivia’s esteem. It reminded her that although he was very influential, he had his vulnerabilities just like every other human. There wasn’t any way she could consider him as her enemy anymore.
‘I think it’s a good time to tell Mum,’ she said to reassure him. ‘She’s already established a link back to Jane through Christiana and she’ll take comfort from it.’
‘Olivia,’ he began, ‘I—’
‘I’m sorry I transferred my anger to you, Luca. You didn’t deserve it. You’ve been very patient with me considering the unreasonable way I’ve behaved.’
‘Members of my family have deeply wronged yours. I mean it when I say I want to make whatever reparations I can, and I mean it when I say you’re welcome to move to Italy to be with Christiana. You were right when you said she deserves to have you in her life and to have your love.’
Olivia closed her eyes and bit down on her lip as she thought about Jane’s little girl. ‘I’m scared for her, Luca.’
***
Her lip trembled and the distress he saw in her features echoed through him.
‘I’m scared Mum or I might not be a match for her. If Christiana …’ She broke off, but even though she hadn’t voiced the awful words, he knew what she’d been going to say before she added, ‘I couldn’t bear it and I don’t know how my mother will cope this time if she loses Jane’s daughter.’
Reaching out, he took her hands in his, his thumbs sliding around the fists she’d made as he unfurled her fingers one by one. Then he reached up with one hand and, in a slow, deliberate movement, let his fingertips trace the soft skin along her jaw.
The pulse above her collarbone was visible. The little hitch to her breathing when he touched her, lanced through him.
When he firmed his hold, tilted her head up, and forced her to meet his gaze, he could see how hard she fought to battle her fear and keep her composure.
‘It’s not surprising you’re stressed. I don’t allow myself to dwell too much on the future with regard to Christiana’s medical needs.’
‘You’re scared too?’
‘Of course I fear for her. This is something beyond my control.’
‘You love her.’
‘I adore her,’ he admitted and felt his features relax into a small smile as the mere thought of his niece brought him happiness. He pointed to the beaded bracelet he wore on his arm. ‘She made this for me and I promised I’d never take it off.’
Olivia smiled. ‘I’ve noticed it and thought it wasn’t in keeping with your usual style.’
‘I honour my promises.’
‘I see that.’
‘When I found out I’d been named as her guardian I had no idea how I was going to cope.’ He rolled his eyes and smiled as he remembered his initial awkwardness. ‘I was used to running a multi-billion dollar business but had no idea how I was going to manage a three-year-old. My friend, Nick, who’s had to raise his daughter since his wife died, told me I’d cope but I wasn’t so sure.’
Dimples appeared in her cheeks and she teased, ‘I can see how it would’ve been very scary for you.’
He grimaced. ‘I was used to corporate take-overs, making cutting-edge deals and being in absolute command of my business dealings. Then, an angelic three-year old landed in my lap, literally, and not only did I realise I was no longer in absolute command of my future, but I no longer had control of my own heart.’
‘Wow.’ There were tears in her eyes and she gave him a watery smile. ‘All those admissions show me how wrong I was about you. When I first met you I would’ve questioned whether you even had a heart.’
‘I don’t,’ he told her with a shrug. ‘I gave it to Christiana.’
‘I’m sorry, Luca. When you arrived at our home, I was sick and exhausted and I took my bitterness about the deaths of Jane and my father out on you.’
‘I realised it wasn’t your normal behaviour or I wouldn’t have let you anywhere near Christiana.’
She was thankful he was so protective of their niece.
‘You’re strong, Olivia. You’ve navigated yourself and your mother through your family crisis. Clearly you’ve been supporting her when you needed to share your grief, and needed her to mother you. She told me as much, herself.’
Twin tears spilled down her cheeks and Luca shifted his hand to brush them away before running his fingertips down her cheek. ‘Nobody should have had to go through what you’ve been through. Who’s supported you, Olivia?’
Hers was a sad little smile and she broke free of his hold to reach into the pocket of her jeans, grab her handkerchief and dab at her eyes.
‘That’s probably why I became unhinged and attacked you when you arrived on the doorstep.’ She sent him an apologetic look. ‘I’m not usually prone to violent attacks on people.’
Luca’s eyes remained focused on hers as he probed, ‘No boyfriend? No lover to lean on?’
A blush stole across her cheeks and she gave a non-committal shrug. ‘I have lots of friends on staff at school.’
She wasn’t going to talk about her cancelled wedding. Was i
t still too painful for her to mention? Guilt pooled again in Luca’s gut. Marjorie had intimated Olivia’s wedding had been called off due to the deaths in the Temple family. His father’s interference had cost so many so much. But, there must’ve been other underlying problems in Olivia’s relationship with her fiancé or surely the wedding would’ve gone ahead at a later date?
‘I love my work. It takes my mind off things and keeps me very busy. I guess in many ways my teaching career has been my lifeline.’
‘While you’re in Italy you won’t have the lifeline of school or colleagues to fall back on,’ he acknowledged. ‘You can trust me, Olivia, I’m a man of my word. I can support you through this time.’
‘Thank you. I know it now and I appreciate it.’ She wiped at her eyes and blew her nose a little. ‘We’re worlds apart, Luca, but I believe we’re finding common ground through Christiana and I’m starting to believe we can be friends.’
Friendship.
It should make him happy to hear she was prepared to concede they could be friends, but somehow the word seemed inadequate.
Here was a woman who—even though she’d only just met Christiana—shared his love for his niece. Here was a woman who’d share his tough emotional rollercoaster ride of the future of Christiana’s health.
Those links bound them closer together than friendship, didn’t they?
Right now, Olivia looked as though she needed his support, and again he fought the urge to take her into his arms—especially as she looked as though she’d be thankful to melt into his embrace and draw strength from him. But, as he found himself fixating on the fullness of those trembling lips, he wasn’t sure he could stop at a mere hug.
He pulled himself up, intent on respecting and building upon their truce. The last thing he wanted was to take advantage of her very emotionally fragile state. What he needed to do was stay in control—to be the person she could rely on for the support she needed.
There had to be easiness between them for Christiana’s sake.
‘It’s almost time for Mum and me to have our tests, isn’t it?’
Seduced by the Enemy Page 10