Page 39 of Storm in a D Cup

asn’t necessarily going to hers rather than just past hers. But Marco had told me that Renata had almost married the bastard. Was Leonardo trying to get his own back? Was he trying to get her back? Could it possibly be…? No. Renata would never do anything like that. She was a fantastic woman. Yet… shehadloved him once. If my theory of Flames Rekindled was something to go by, maybe Renata still felt something for him? How many times had he driven up that road in the hope of seeing her?

‘What do you want?’ I demanded, pushing my big body before Renata’s scrawny little form. I could take the impact better than her any day. Besides, I’d always wanted to sock him good. For all he’d done to those poor women, many of them too young to know any better.

‘Nothing,’ he said with a shrug. ‘I… need to talk to Marco.’

‘He’s not here now,’ Renata said softly, her eyes lowered as he eyed her hungrily. ‘Please go,’ she whispered.

He made to move toward her, but I took a step forward, pretending to be brave, and Warren, good soul that he was, stood next to me, his jaw determined, his eyes unwavering. Warren was not new to confronting men, least of all his own biological father Ira, years ago in Boston on that night of unleashed madness.

Leonardo gave him a once-over, registering my son’s tall, strong body and figuring he would have the crap kicked out of him. His mouth clamped shut in frustration and he spun on his heel, leaving us all standing there in shock.

‘What the hell did he want?’ Warren growled.

A question I couldn’t bring myself to ask Renata. It was so obvious he was back on her case. After all these years. Or… had this been going on ever since?

‘Nothing. He’s been pressuring some local businesses to close by not allowing bank loans…’

‘Can he even do that?’ I asked.

She shrugged. ‘Officially, no, but he’s in cahoots with the bank manager. They’re bosom buddies, so…’

‘Do you guys need a loan?’ I asked. ‘You know—’

‘Erica, please, not here…’

I shut my mouth. ‘Right. Sorry.’

‘He’s supposed to be like some real lady-killer or something?’ Maddy asked, but no one answered her.

‘Well, he’s gone now, kids. You can relax.’

‘Thank you,’ Renata whispered, her eyes not meeting mine.

‘What is it you’re not telling me, Renata? Is he bothering you?’

‘Me? Of course not. Stop worrying about me all the time. I’m fine.’

‘Are you sure you don’t want me to stay until Marco gets here?’ I asked.

Renata shook her head and attempted a patient smile. ‘I’m all right.’

‘No, Renata, you’re not all right. Look at you. Marco told me… about you and Leonardo,’ I whispered as the kids gathered their things, Chiara showing her long braid off to Warren who patted her on the head, a big smile now splitting his face. He loved kids.

Renata stared at me, then shrugged. ‘That was a long time ago.’

‘Yes, but you were the one that got away, in a sense. Did it take you a long time to get over it?’

She pursed her lips and looked at me. ‘Sometimes it’s very difficult to get rid of some people, no matter how hard you try.’

‘You’re telling me. Renata, what does he want? You can tell me – I’m your friend.’

But she stood in silence, her jaw working. I could see that she needed a real good cry, and if she was anything like me I knew she needed to be left on her own. ‘Remember that.’

‘I will, Erica. Thank you.’

‘And you’re sure there’s nothing you want to tell me?’

‘Like what?’