by Julia James
‘Oh …’ His assistant was momentarily lost for words. He wasn’t even going to bother attempting to ask where she’d emerged from, knowing he’d be stonewalled. ‘Is she aware of this?’
‘Not yet. But it won’t be a problem.’ Dante terminated the call and smiled but it was a shark’s smile. This photographer, who’d had his camera confiscated but who had somehow managed to take a snap anyway, had played beautifully into his hands. He made a phone call.
‘Paolo? Come and see me at the hotel please.’
Alicia woke and felt strange. Curiously rested. For a second she was totally disorientated. And then she realized that she was in her old room. In the apartment she’d shared with Melanie before going to Africa. Realising where she was sent sudden panic rushing through her. Melanie! And then she sagged back against the mattress. All the events came rushing back. And with them, Dante D’Aquanni. He had brought her here yesterday and left her at the door. They’d said a stilted goodbye. Well, she thought slightly defensively to herself, what could she say to a man whose life she’d single-handedly upended? To a man who still believed himself and his brother to be victims of a huge scam, orchestrated by her and her sister. Alicia could have laughed if it wasn’t so ridiculous. Melanie was so scatty she barely had the wherewithal to make it to work in the morning, never mind dream up such an elaborate scheme.
The fact was, Dante was not the father of Melanie’s baby. His brother was. And if their greeting had been anything to go by, quite apart from his own assertion to her, he most certainly wouldn’t be bankrolling his brother’s love affair, baby or no.
Dante D’Aquanni was not going to play the part of benevolent uncle.
So she was back to square one. Feeling a little resurgence of her old energy as she got up, Alicia was thankful. She was going to need it. Even if they could at least count on Paolo’s promise, his wages, she would have to work hard now too, to try and finance moving them to London and guaranteeing Dr Hardy’s care for Melanie. She couldn’t even contemplate not getting her that care. Melanie was everything to her. Her whole world. Ever since they’d been dropped at the steps of the orphanage by their sick, harried and stressed mother. Alicia had been four, Melanie two and half. Alicia had held tight on to Melanie’s hand as she’d wailed uncontrollably. She could still remember the stoic calm she’d felt watching her mother’s thin back as she walked away. She hadn’t looked back once. And Alicia hadn’t seen her since.
She blanked those thoughts. She didn’t have time for sad memories. She made a quick call to the hospital. Melanie was getting better and better and sounded strong. And distracted—Paolo was still with her. Alicia put down the phone with a frown. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Paolo, if they could trust him, although he seemed to be genuine and certainly didn’t seem to share his brother’s dark, suspicious nature. She shouldn’t have stayed away for so long; she would have met him before now if she’d been at home.
But she hadn’t been able to leave, she’d been sucked into the relentless grind of trying to save so many lives.
But she was home now. That was what mattered. Tying her hair back with a band, she was walking towards the bathroom when a knock sounded on the door just feet away. Immediately and for no good reason, Alicia’s heart started to pound. She glanced quickly down at herself—faded loose pyjama bottoms, an old threadbare sweatshirt. She was presentable enough for the postman or a neighbour.
But it was neither when she opened the door. It was Dante D’Aquanni, the man she’d imagined to be firmly ensconsed back in his palatial, idyllic villa, no doubt thankful to have her out of his hair.
She blinked up at him. He looked gorgeous and devastating in another dark suit. ‘You …’
‘Yes. Me.’ His glance flickered down her body and her bare feet curled into the carpet.
‘What are you doing here? Why aren’t you gone?’ Her hand gripped the door.
‘Aren’t you going to ask me in?’
What choice did she have? She moved back to allow him through and the sheer size of him as he passed her made her legs feel weak. He even had to duck his head. The apartment was like a doll’s house with him in it.
She closed the door. He was looking around, taking in the bare furnishings, the photos of the smiling sisters, a few books on the shelves. When he looked at Alicia he could see something flare in her eyes and her chin tilt up defiantly. He recognized that look because he’d seen it before—on himself. It was a look that said, We may not have much but it’s ours … mine. The immediate empathy he felt surprised him; he covered it up. And also covered up the way her sleep-flushed face made him want to reach out … touch her cheek. Touch more than her cheek.
Alicia tried to remain calm, not to allow the tremor she felt develop into uncontrollable shaking. He was obviously just here to reiterate that she and Melanie would be getting nothing. To make sure she didn’t go to the papers. To tell her to keep her sister away from Paolo. And right then, despite her recent misgivings, she vowed that if he did, she’d fight him tooth and nail. Because even if he wasn’t the father, Paolo, his brother was, whether he chose to believe it or not. She was prepared to accept that Dante wouldn’t pay, but he couldn’t separate Paolo and Melanie now. And, assuming he’d meant the marriage proposal, Melanie would need Paolo’s support desperately, although she’d have to leave that to Melanie to discuss with him … Alicia’s head started to pound. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
Dante slid his gaze up and down. It turned mocking.
‘Don’t you own one fitted garment with its colours still intact?’
Stung, and hating herself for it because she didn’t normally give two hoots about her appearance, Alicia asked sweetly, ‘What? Haven’t you heard that the messy-chic look is in?’ She cocked her hip and gestured with a hand. ‘If you open the magazines they’re all wearing these clothes.’
Then pride made her straighten her spine. ‘There isn’t much call for high fashion among the refugee tents in Africa, Signore D’Aquanni. But, as I doubt we’re ever likely to move in the same circles, you shouldn’t have to endure my wardrobe insulting your sensibilities. Now, I’m sure you haven’t lowered yourself to come here to discuss my lack of style.’
His eyes narrowed on her for a long moment. ‘So you did work in Africa then?’
Alicia tensed so much she thought she might break. ‘Yes. For a year.’
He passed a look over her that patently said he put her claim under serious doubt and then, to her surprise, he took off his jacket and sat down on the couch. It was a three-seater but he practically took up the whole thing.
‘Actually, Alicia, your style or lack of it is one of the things that will come up for discussion. Now, what does a man have to do to be offered coffee around here?’
Alicia cupped her mug of steaming coffee in her hands and looked at Dante warily over the rim. She perversely hoped that he was sitting on the bit of sofa with the exposed spring. But, looking completely at ease, unconcerned, Dante sipped his own coffee, taking his time before setting the cup down on the low table. He leant forward and rested his arms on his knees.
‘I’m here to offer you a proposal.’
Alicia could feel the blood drain from her face and then rush back guiltily as she realized what she’d taken his words to mean for a split second. He’d seen it too and that mocking look made his mouth quirk at the corner again.
‘Not that kind of proposal. Never that kind of proposal; I’m not a marrying man.’
Words were strangled in her throat. She was mortified that he would think that she had thought he’d meant marriage. And she had. For a second.
She put her cup down with a shaky hand. ‘Look, just tell me why you’re here, I have things to do.’ She sat back and folded her arms across her chest and glared at him. He settled back into the couch and crossed one leg over the other. The bottom of his impeccably shod foot seemed to mock her too. She could see how in some cultures it was taken as a high insult to be fac
ed with the soles of someone’s feet.
‘What I’ve come here to propose is a little mutual arrangement.’
Alicia all but snorted. She doubted very much that this man did anything mutually.
‘I’m listening.’
Only so you’ll be gone more quickly and I can get back to normal and forget we ever met.
Alicia conveniently blocked out the voice that said, What about if Melanie and Paolo get married? What about when they have the baby? Won’t Uncle Dante come to visit? Won’t Uncle Dante be there for the rest of your life?
His voice cut through her tortured thoughts. ‘I am hosting a series of final negotiations in a very high profile merger over the next three weeks. The first week of the conference will be at my villa in Lake Como—a week in which the very select participants will be shielded from the media’s prying eyes, to be exclusively wined and dined in between meetings.’
Alicia looked at him blankly, desperately trying to hide the effect his force field had on her body. She just hoped he’d hurry up and say whatever he had to say, not knowing why he felt he had to tell her anything.
‘Together with a close colleague from Ireland, we’re merging forces with one of the biggest construction giants in America. As I am the biggest investor, effectively it is a merger that will see me as CEO of the largest construction conglomerate in the world.’
Alicia recalled Melanie’s glowing comments when she had first got the job at Dante’s company some years previously. ‘I thought you already were the biggest company in the world …’ She couldn’t keep the caustic tone from her voice, or the look in her eye that told him exactly what she thought of his obvious bid for world domination.
He ignored her effortlessly and said without any emotion, just as a hard fact, ‘I am; however, there’s always room for improvement.’
‘You mean greed,’ Alicia muttered, and felt pettish as she did so. What did she care, even if he wanted to conquer outer space?
Again he ignored her barbed comments. ‘The construction company from America is run by a man called Buchanen. He’s taken a lot of persuading to come on board. Years of smaller negotiations have led us to this point, and now we are poised to sign on the dotted line. All it’s going to take is this three weeks and then it’s going to be signed, sealed and delivered.’
Satisfaction rushed through Dante. This would be the pinnacle of everything he’d ever set out to achieve, to prove … having come from nothing. and he was not about to let that satisfaction be thwarted. Especially when so many depended on him.
He lay an arm along the back of the couch, making his shirt strain across his impossibly broad and hard chest, making Alicia’s eyes drop betrayingly and her throat dry up. She looked up and felt a rising tide of red. And saw the mocking look in his eye. At that moment she wanted to throw the contents of her coffee cup in his face.
‘And …? I presume there’s more?’ she bit out.
Dante regarded her, taking in every expression crossing her face, flashing through her big eyes. His groin tightened. You bet there is.
He schooled his expression, veiled the lust he felt. ‘Buchanen has been a reluctant investor. And yet he’s the only one we want. He controls just one of the biggest companies in the US, but he’s got the most links and connections with Europe, which will inevitably give us an even stronger hold here too. But he’s cautious. He’s planning to run for the American senate and that’s pretty much the reason he finally gave in; he wants to free up his time to devote himself to politics—the downside of that is his concern for his untarnished reputation.’
Alicia was beginning to feel more than a little confused. And more and more hot and bothered. ‘Yes, but what does all this have to do with me?’
Dante said nothing and reached into his jacket pocket to pull out a folded newspaper. Alicia immediately recognized the red top of the tabloid. Her stomach fell. This could only mean one thing. Dante leaned across and put the paper down in front of her. It took a minute for the picture and headline to sink in.
Who is the mysterious woman lighting Dante’s inferno?
Even though this was exactly what she’d set out to orchestrate, albeit not with her involvement to such a degree, the reality was shocking, invasive, awful. It also made a dark memory surface uncomfortably.
‘Oh, my god,’ she finally breathed.
‘My thoughts entirely. The photographer must have had a smaller digital camera because my security guard confiscated his other one.’
Alicia lifted stricken eyes to Dante. How could she say sorry again? She couldn’t. She stood up, agitated. She’d rushed off, chasing this man for a crime he hadn’t committed and she was no better off for all her efforts. If anything, things were worse.
‘I … don’t know what to say.’ She stood behind her chair, the offending picture still in her eyeline, and all she could remember was the feel of his mouth on hers, his strong, lean, taut body as he’d lifted her off her feet. Her insides liquefied.
He looked up at her steadily and she had a prickling sensation across the back of her neck. She had a feeling that she wasn’t going to like what was coming.
‘You could do the right thing and say yes when I ask you to come back to Lake Como with me today and be my hostess for the duration of the meetings.’
Alicia’s hands gripped the back of the seat. ‘I’m … excuse me?’
‘I said—’
‘I heard you,’ she said shakily and came back around the chair to sit down. ‘Why on earth would you want me to do that?’
He glanced at the newspaper. ‘Because, thanks to your little mercy dash and dramatics, we’re now apparently an item.’ His mouth twisted with obvious distaste. ‘While I’ve never cared about how I might appear in the media, unfortunately at this moment it is a necessary evil. Buchanen comes from a conservative background; he’s a family man and has often made reference to the fact that out of all the particpants, I’m the only one who isn’t. In an effort to allay his fears we’ve encouraged all those involved in the negotiations to bring their families along for the last two weeks if they should so choose.’
A mocking glint lit his dark eyes, making him look rakish and dangerous. ‘He’s skittish at the moment, very aware of how his every move is being scrutinised. The world’s media is watching us with great interest to see if we can pull this merger off, not to mention every other construction consortium in the world. The presence of wives, children will help deflect the heat and hopefully reassure Buchanen.’
In an instant that mocking look had gone and he was coldly grim. ‘If he pulled out, needless to say the merger would be null and void. Millions that have already been invested would be down the drain and no one else would touch us with a bargepole. As we’re so inconveniently splashed across the tabloids, you are going to accompany me, be my hostess and put Buchanen’s fears of being associated with a playboy to rest.’
He had clearly jumped from asking her to telling her. Alicia was too bewildered to even get angry at his arrogant tone. ‘Yes … but even if I did go, wouldn’t that almost be worse? I’m not your wife.’
He shook his head and refrained from saying, No, because I’m never photographed with the same woman twice … That thought caught him up uncomfortably short for a split second.
‘No, because I’ve never involved a woman in any business dealings before, so he and the press would see this as tantamount to an engagement. The media will bay for my blood if I don’t turn up with you now, not to mention what it might do to Buchanen’s judgement.’
Alicia gasped, ‘You don’t expect …’
He smiled and it was cruel. ‘Oh I don’t think that’ll be necessary. Your presence will be enough to keep them happy and assure them that I’m not irredeemable. At least until the ink is dry on the contract.’
Alicia twisted her hands in her lap. She’d gone pale. Dante didn’t like how her reluctance was making him feel. She looked at him then and that act of vulnerability was back.
&
nbsp; ‘What about that … that woman?’ The image of the woman on the steps of the hotel the other night was seared on to her memory, the disparity between them huge to her now and she didn’t want him to know she’d seen them. ‘The woman the men mentioned …’
Dante frowned for a second and then a look of disdain came over his perfect features. ‘She is gone, not in my life.’
Alicia shuddered inwardly at how callously dismissive he was. Panic tinged her voice. ‘I can’t do it. I couldn’t go. I have to stay and take care of Melanie.’ Her eyes beseeched him. Surely he wouldn’t be that ruthless, that cruel? ‘Can’t you see? You saw for yourself how weak she is. As it is, I have to go out now and find enough work so that we can pay for her care. If we don’t …’
She looked genuinely distraught and it threw Dante for a second. She wasn’t looking at him; she’d gone inwards to a place of anxiety that he could only imagine. It had been so long since he’d had to worry about the mundanity of making ends meet, but the sting of it had never faded and he could see it in Alicia now. But he’d anticipated this.
He stood up and leant against the fake fireplace, his hand in his pocket. Alicia looked up and then stood too, hating his easy dominance.
‘Signore D’Aquanni, please believe me when I say how sorry I am that I mistook you … and that we’ve ended up in the papers …’
‘You owe me,’ he said quietly.
Her head snapped back. ‘I owe you? Maybe your business meetings should be about human relations, because if you can’t see that I need to be with my sick pregnant sister, then—’
‘Paolo is going to be with her.’
Alicia stopped in mid-rant. ‘What?’
‘I said,’ Dante said patiently, ‘Paolo is going to be with her. My house in London is around the corner from Harley Street. Paolo will stay in London and work in the office here again. He will be five minutes from Melanie’s side, and she will be near to all the possible amenities she could need. There is also a housekeeper who will make sure she doesn’t have to lift a finger. And a nurse has been arranged for the first month to come daily and make sure Melanie’s injuries are healing.’