From Italy With Love

by Jules Wake

  Shit. Behind her sunglasses she closed her eyes a second. Served her right for putting off finding him in the hotel. Now it had come back to bite her, in full public view.

  ‘This is it.’ Cam gave her hand a final squeeze. ‘You earned it all.’

  With all eyes on her, she tensed her muscles, determined to get out of the car elegantly for once. She’d had enough damn practice over the last couple of weeks; it should be second nature by now.

  With fluid ease she stepped out of the car and another cheer went up. Buoyed up by their good-natured enthusiasm, she waved, a little shyly at first and then broke into a broad grin as the over-whelming party spirit hit her like a physical wave of goodwill.

  Grateful for her sunglasses she made her way onto the Podium. Robert stepped forward and flung his arms around her.

  ‘Welcome back, Laurie.’ He hugged her so hard she thought he might squeeze the last breath out of her. It meant she couldn’t say anything but he was so pumped, he wouldn’t have noticed. He almost bounced her up and down along with him as he jumped for joy. ‘You did it. You did it. You did it. We’re …Oh, Laurie you did it. You’re amazing. We’re made. We’ll never have to work again.’

  If it hadn’t have been for Ron, she wasn’t sure she’d have managed to extricate herself. Somehow the older man managed to intercede and separate them, firmly pushing Robert to the back of the podium. Thankfully the assembled crowd had gathered around the car and weren’t the least interested in what was going on onstage. She glanced back. Cam leant against the back of the car watching her. She couldn’t read the expression on his face. The blank contemplation made the hair on the back of her neck tingle. Despite the heat of the brilliant Italian morning sunshine, her hands suddenly seemed cold. The whole scene felt unreal and she felt separate from the volume of chatter.

  ‘Laurie, lovely to see you.’ Ron’s smile had a touch of pride. ‘You look wonderful, my dear. Absolutely wonderful. Miles would have been … so delighted. Well done for rising, not just rising but going beyond that and wholeheartedly meeting his challenge.’ The weight of his words hit her hard. Tears gathered in her eyes and she had to swallow hard to hold them at bay.

  Ron took her shoulders and kissed her on one cheek and then the other, just as Miles had always done. The import was clear, the kiss came from Miles.

  She touched Ron’s hand, conscious that this was as momentous for him as her. He probably missed Miles far more than she. They’d been chequers buddies for many years. ‘Thanks Ron.’

  ‘Now,’ he squared his shoulders, which despite the heat, were still encased in his tweed jacket. ‘To business.’ He opened the envelope and she found Robert had sidled up to her. She stiffened as he threw an arm around her shoulder. If only she’d talked to him earlier. She wriggled away. ‘Bit hot,’ she murmured.

  He winked at her. Relief at putting distance between them warred with dismay at the rush of knowledge that getting rid of Robert might be like trying to dislodge a limpet.

  ‘Niece, if you are listening to this, then you have truly achieved the challenge. The Ferrari is now yours to do with what you will.’ Ron paused here and looked at her. ‘You have to decide whether you would like to keep it or sell it.’ He looked very serious, almost as if it were life and death.

  She guessed that to Miles, it would have been but it was immaterial. She’d already made up her mind what she was doing with the car. Robert had sidled closer again; she could feel his breath on her neck. Had he always exhibited this possessiveness? Or had she just not found it so irritating before? Now she couldn’t get far enough away. Which made her a prize bitch. Even if she had fallen out of love, she ought to let him down gently.

  ‘Have you any idea what this car is worth?’ whispered Robert, nudging her in the ribs several times. ‘It’s a lot.’

  Ron gave him a quelling look but it didn’t stop Robert’s fidgeting.

  ‘At current market value,’ Robert’s face glowed with excitement, ‘that car is worth millions. It is a Short Wheeled Base,’ he said with a dreamy smile on his face.

  Million what? Lire? Euros? Dollars? Surely not pounds because a car couldn’t possibly be worth that.

  Laurie looked at him in surprise. Robert knew nothing about cars.

  ‘Millions of pounds … can you imagine.’ His eyes looked as if they were about to pop out his head.

  ‘Ahem,’ interrupted Ron with a fierce glower at Robert, ‘The documentation of ownership is all here. The car is yours,’ he smiled gently at her. ‘However, if you choose to sell the car—’

  Robert snorted. ‘Yeah, like you wouldn’t.’ He elbowed Laurie in the ribs again.

  Laurie compressed her lips to hold in a laugh. Ron looked as if he’d like to squish Robert like a bug.

  ‘There is one stipulation.’ Ron referred back to the document and read out. ‘If you decided to sell the Ferrari, in exchange for escorting you across Europe, first refusal must be given to Cameron Matthews …’

  She glanced down at him with a smile, it seemed a fair reward for escorting her across Europe and making sure she got here safely.

  ‘… at the price of £500,000.’

  The gathered crowd gasped in perfect unison.

  As if hitting an iceberg, her stomach lurched. Pins and needles hit her jawline and for a moment, Oh God, she thought she was going to faint. Her vision blurred before coming back into sharp focus on Cam. He stood, thumbs hooked through the loops in his jeans. The stance might have looked casual but she could tell every nerve-ending of his was alert.

  Tension shimmered across the short distance between them.

  She stared at him, her stomach feeling hollow.

  She’d been so bloody stupid. Men would kill for this car. What was escorting a slightly stupid, unworldly librarian across Europe, throwing in a bit of sex to sweeten the deal? Nothing to a man like Cameron, who oozed sexual sophistication.

  Ron returned to reading out loud, the formal words a merciful respite from having to think. ‘The sale price to him a substantial reduction in current market value.’

  ‘Substantial!’ wailed Robert in anguish, shooting a murderous glare at Cam. ‘That’s daylight robbery. It’s … that’s … you can’t … it’s worth millions. We’d be millionaires … multi-millionaires… I mean we’d have a million in the bank.’

  Her face almost crumpled but she hung on, determined not to give Cam the satisfaction. Instead she gave him a look of total disdain and watched as he paled. Bastard.

  To her surprise instead of backing away, he threw up his head, the black curls dancing in the sunlight like Medusa’s snakes and scowled. He strode towards the podium. Shit, he looked furious. She took a step backwards.

  ‘Don’t you dare think that.’ he hissed at her, almost nose to nose.

  ‘Think what?’ She spat. How dare he try to turn his back on her. ‘That you used me to get the car you always wanted?’

  ‘You don’t think that.’ he growled.

  ‘Don’t I?’ Her nails scored her palms. ‘Why else would you cross Europe? Out of the goodness of your heart?’

  ‘I did it for Miles at first and then …’ he paused and his gaze gentled. His eyes ranged over her face.

  Her heart turned over and she so wanted to believe him. That he cared about her.

  For a moment she softened and leaned towards him. But why hadn’t he said anything? He’d had plenty of chance since she’d arrived in Maranello. He’d never said a word. Would she have believed him anyway?

  ‘You did it to get the car.’ Robert sounded horribly smug. ‘You could sell it tomorrow for double what you paid for it. One trillion per cent profit.’

  Cam gave him a disgusted look. ‘You fool. It’s not about money.’

  No, she knew that. Cam wasn’t interested in the money. He just wanted the car, of course he did. The pain in her heart, it really did feel like something was breaking, because she understood, oh she understood to the depth of her soul, exactly how he felt.

&nbs
p; The Ferrari, a beautiful beguiling devil with the power to steal a soul, sat just beneath the podium. Sleek, beautiful … hers.

  Of course Cam wanted the car. How could she blame him? Cars like this were impossibly rare. The opportunity to own one would never come along again. No, she pressed her lips together hard, she couldn’t blame him at all.

  Beside her Robert shrugged and muttered.

  She stared down at the Ferrari. She could survive this. So Cam didn’t want her, she would get over it. Robert didn’t want her either. Not her. He might think he did but he just wanted what she represented to him. Security. And she knew now, security had to come from within. You had to feel secure within yourself.

  She turned to Ron. ‘I think that’s everything, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, my dear. The car is yours. There is one last thing …’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Miles wanted to know what you planned to do next.’

  She looked straight at Ron, her head held high.

  ‘That’s easy.’ Her look around took in Cam and then Robert and then rested happily on the car. ‘I’m going to keep her.’

  Chapter 28

  Cam’s head whipped up. Instead of disappointment or anger, his eyes burned with admiration. They were so close she could see the slight nod as if of approval that he made. Her heart faltered for a second as their eyes held the connection.

  ‘Are you mad?’ Robert managed to squeeze his way in front of Laurie, oblivious to the charged chemistry arcing between them.

  ‘You can’t keep the car. Be sensible, Laurie.’ Robert planted his hands firmly on his hips. ‘I can see the romance, the allure. You’ve just had a lovely holiday. Nice time. It’s like when you buy Ouzo − when you get it back it tastes rank.’

  Actually she rather liked Ouzo but it probably wasn’t helpful to say so just now.

  She sighed. ‘It’s not about the now. It’s about so much more.’ How could she possibly explain to him? She’d shifted up a gear and left him behind. It sounded so callous and heartless but he was part of the problem. She couldn’t go back.

  ‘What more? It’s an expensive car you don’t need. We need a bigger house, a better lifestyle. We could have all that.’

  ‘That’s just material things, they don’t make you happy.’

  ‘Don’t you think that’s a bit fucking hypocritical? It doesn’t get much more material than a multi-million pound Ferrari.’

  ‘Miles wanted me to have it, I know he did. He taught me to love life again. I don’t expect you to understand.’

  ‘Love life! What the fuck are you on about.’ He grabbed Laurie’s shoulders, pushing Cam out of the way. Millions of pounds! You can buy other cars with that. Another fucking Ferrari for all I care. We can have a big fancy wedding, like you wanted. It’ll hardly put a dent in the money. Laurie, what are you thinking?’

  Robert’s panicked expression pulled her back to reality. She looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. Desperation was written all over his face, from the pugnacious tilt of the weak chin – why hadn’t she noticed that before – to the anxious blinking of his eyes and the tension lines across his high forehead. He clutched her harder, his fingers sinking into her collar bones.

  ‘Robert.’ She wriggled, trying to get out of the hold. He just held on tighter.

  ‘You can’t do this to me.’

  ‘I’m not doing anything to you.’

  ‘You selfish cow.’

  Cam grabbed Robert’s arm, his angry stance making him looker bigger and dangerous.

  ‘Touch her again and I’ll flatten you.’

  He shook Cam off with angry scowl, reminding Laurie of a pesky wasp, but he did let go of her shoulders. ‘Butt out buster. Bet you’ve shagged her, haven’t you? I know your type. Anything in a skirt.’

  He caught sight of Laurie’s instant blush.

  ‘Bloody hell, you have as well.’ His face contorted into an ugly sneer. ‘You fool. He’s a player. What’s he going to see in you? Plain Jane. Flat-chested. No sex-appeal. He’s played you. And you fell for it. Well I can tell you now, if you keep the car, we’re finished.’

  ‘I warned you.’ Cam’s voice, low and deadly serious, was all the notice given before he socked Robert in the jaw.

  He went down onto his knees.

  Laurie’s eyes widened and she let out a horrified gasp. ‘Cam!’

  He shrugged. ‘I’m not sorry. No one talks to you to you like that.’

  Her face overheated, furious at Robert’s insults and shocked by Cam’s defence of her.

  Robert swayed on his knees, rubbing his jaw and shooting Cam evil looks. He rounded on her. ‘Christ, I’ve stuck by you all this time. Since your dad died. I could have got a better job. But no I stayed in Leighton to be with you. Mum said I could do better. You owe me.’

  Owed him? Something slipped and loosened in her chest. Rage bubbled at the back of her throat and vitriolic words threatened to spill out in her defence. He wasn’t worth it. Mortification washed over her. What a fool. Accepting Robert’s domineering crap all this time. Because it was easier than being on her own?

  ‘I don’t owe you anything, Robert.’ She stood tall, staring him down. ‘You’ve lived in my house rent free for the last two years. I think that’s ample compensation.’ She could have said a lot more, the flat-chested remark still stung, but she didn’t need to. She was the better person.

  ‘We’ll see. Don’t expect me to come crawling back when you’re all alone. He’s,’ Robert pointed to Cam, ‘going to dump you now that you won’t give him his precious car. You’re going to be a laughing stock.’

  Robert stomped down the steps of the podium and as he got to the bottom he looked back. ‘By the way. You owe me for the flights and the hotel room. I’ll send you a bill.’

  ‘Don’t bother, take it out of this month’s rent.’ She was proud of how calm and cool her voice sounded. If she’d responded to his venomous tones with bitchiness, she might have broken down.

  Cam stepped forward. ‘You OK?’

  She levelled a dangerous look at him. ‘Let’s just say it’s been an eye-opening morning. Ron, I’d really like to get out of here.’

  Cam caught her arm. ‘Wait, I didn’t …’

  ‘Didn’t what? Sleep with me to get the car? Who are you trying to convince, Cam? Yourself or me?’ She shook him off.

  ‘Do you need a moment dear?’ Ron’s kind face blurred.

  Sod it, she wasn’t going to cry now. She felt like shit inside but no one needed to know that. She’d get over Cam and as for Robert, all she could feel was sadness that she’d been so dumb and needy that she’d mistaken companionship for love.

  ‘Your uncle would have been so proud of you.’ Ron beamed and thrust the envelope into her hand, as he pulled out a hanky to dab at his eyes.

  ‘Really?’ She wasn’t so sure about that.

  ‘Oh, yes. Miles really wanted to help you. He knew you weren’t happy. It worried him greatly. He spent a great deal of time talking about you. I have to say I wasn’t sure about his methods and after that little debacle I’m still not. Upsetting for you, my dear.’

  ‘Yes, but life goes on … and Miles has given me a lot to think about.’ Her life would never be the same again.

  ‘All part of his plan.’

  ‘Miles’ plan?’ Her voice rose an octave in disbelief. ‘He couldn’t have …’ Of course he could. The sneaky old devil was nobody’s fool.

  ‘He wanted you to rediscover the happiness of your youth. It was a great regret he didn’t insist to your father you continued to visit. Celeste upset him terribly with her treatment of you. He never forgave her, you know.’

  ‘So why did he insist on me visiting the Chateau?’

  ‘It was important that you came to your own understanding. Learned you hadn’t missed out at all.’

  ‘Wasn’t that taking quite a gamble?’

  Ron snorted. ‘Miles’ life was one long gamble.’

  She thought of
the horses and the cars and the wives. ‘True; he didn’t always come out on top though.’

  ‘I know. Which is why I did try and talk him out of it,’ Ron smiled ruefully, ‘but Miles … you know.’

  She nodded.

  ‘Testament, really, to how well he knew you. I think you were the daughter he never had.’

  ‘Yeah I’ve inherited his extravagant taste in cars.’ she grinned. She had no idea how the hell she’d afford to run the car. Could she even afford the insurance? All Robert’s incandescent objections came back to her.

  Cam had simply nodded and walked away as if accepting defeat.

  ‘So you are going to keep it?’ asked Ron as they got into the Ferrari.

  She sighed, starting up the engine. It was easier now Robert and Cam weren’t hanging on her every word. ‘Yep. I know I can’t really afford it but …’ she shot Ron a mischievous look, ‘I love it. It came to me last night, the first time I heard the engine with Uncle Miles. I was seven. In the paddock at his house. I heard that rumble and went running over to see it. I asked him if there was a dragon under the bonnet.’ She smiled at the memory and could feel that initial excitement as her young mind wondered at what could possibly make such a mighty roar. ‘Typical Miles; he didn’t disillusion me.’ He’d bent down and whispered in her ear. She still remembered the words now.

  ‘That’s why Laurie, you are the smartest little girl. No one else knows it’s a dragon. It’s our secret.’

  The moment had cemented their friendship and forever confirmed the magical status of the car. As she got older and learned more about the mechanics of the engine, she knew there wasn’t really a dragon under the bonnet but on more fanciful days, she liked to imagine there might be.

  ‘He told me the story. He also told me that the light went out in you as you got older. As one tragedy hit you after another.’

  Laurie turned. ‘I never thought of them as tragedies. Parents separate. Parents die. You just have to get on with it. Be practical.’

  ‘Miles thought you became too practical. He worried terribly that you’d settled … not for second best … but just settled for what was there. He wanted more for you.’