Page 48 of His to Keep
“Right, let’s get dinner sorted. Alberto fired up the pizza oven a few hours ago.” He nodded over to an outside kitchen area, under a pretty pergola adorned with bright yellow lemons. “It should be the perfect temperature now.” Jamie rubbed her shoulder like a brother to a sister.
Together, Freddy and Jamie made the most delicious pizza. Freddy couldn’t help lending a hand, throwing on some anchovies when Jamie wasn’t looking. Lana opted for a simple margarita with fresh basil, happily washing it down with a cool bottle of beer.
They sat on spongey armchairs, surrounding a large circular table that could double as a sunbed. She was in awe of her surroundings and Jamie’s wealthy lifestyle. To think, this was how rich people actually lived—how Marcus lived.
Jamie chatted about the history of his villa and how he renamed it after his beautiful mother Veronica. Being set high amongst the mountain, gazing towards the heavens helped him to feel close to her. He was only nine when she died, but he kept her memory alive.
He was light hearted and ever so charming, with a cockiness that would sizzle the heart strings of both men and woman. The cute dimple on his cheek gave him an adorable edge.
No doubt, he knew how to manipulate his appearance to get exactly what he wanted. If he was anything like his sinful brother, then he would certainly use his striking looks to his advantage. Lana, on the other hand, could only see the similarities to Marcus, wishing it was him before her instead.
After three beers, she plucked up the courage to mention him again. “So, howisyour brother? What has he been up to?” she asked, then sucked her lips between her teeth, waiting patiently.
Jamie swilled the remaining beer in his bottle and raised his shoulders to his jaw. “He’s okay, I guess. Doing business in a few places, you know. Keeping busy as always. The guy’s a machine.”
Lana swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m sure he enjoys having a different woman in every country.” She blurted out with ragged breathes, regretting the words as they crackled in the still humid air.
Letting out a sharp puff of air, her eyes darted to the ocean beyond as a pang of jealousy stabbed her insides.
Jamie’s back straightened.
After a brief silence he cleared his throat. “He doesn’t have much interest in the ladies, he’s too busy right now securing a merger. He needs to focus on that.” He paused as if he was trying to send her subliminal secrets, then he flashed a devilish grin. “Business before beauties.” He winked. “Suppose that’s what happens when you get older. Life turns into a snooze fest.” He smirked and clanked bottles with Freddy.
“Have you heard from Rory?” he asked, seamlessly changing the subject.
“He’s being kept on remand. He won’t speak to me. I don’t know much else. I can only hope he didn’t kill that poor girl.” She shook her head woefully.
Jamie scrunched his face. “We don’t think he killed her, but getting the evidence is proving tough.”
“How do you know he didn’t kill her?” Freddy asked, lunging forward. “What do you know that we don’t?”
“I don’t really know that much either. I only know snippets. Let’s just wait and see what turns up,” Jamie’s words rushed out in a raspy tone.
“Right, I’m calling it a night. Need some sleep before the shit goes down tomorrow. The Italians drive a hard bargain.” Jamie stood, nodding to them both. “Thanks again for coming out to help. It means a lot having you guys out here. People I can trust.”
He shook Freddy’s hand and brushed his lips on Lana’s knuckles before retiring to the villa for the evening. He was the ultimate charmer, courteously deflecting their inquisitive questions.
“You know that guy is cut throat in business. Marcus described him as quote on quote.” He wiggled matching fingers on both hands like bunny ears. “He’s not just the king shark, he’s the mother fucking ocean, unpredictable and ruthless.”
“He seems so down to earth and friendly.” She wondered if they would’ve got on well as family. Then she pinched herself for letting such foolish hopeful thoughts play out in her head.
Freddy nodded with a dreamy sigh. “And he’s totally sexy. The guy is sex on legs.”
He was, she agreed whole heartedly, but he wasn’t Marcus. “Does he have a girlfriend?”
Freddy snatched his beer bottle away from his pursed lips, interrupting his sip. “Good god, woman, you’re not going after the brother, are you?”
Lana inhaled sharply. “Hell no.” She ducked down and quickly looked over her shoulder. “I’m just asking out of curiosity, you eejit.”
“Oh phew.” He fanned his face theatrically. “Jamie is a true McGrath, through and through. Says he’s too young to settle down and gets off on all the stunners constantly hurling themselves at his feet. All he has to do is walk into a room and they swarm like he’s shark bait. Apparently, he’ll settle down at some point in his life.” He shrugged. “But seriously, looking like he does, why the hell would he?”
Lana knocked back her beer. “Just like Marcus then. Breaking hearts wherever they go,” she said mournfully.
* * *
Freddy and Lanasank two more chilled beers, relaxing in the serenity of Villa Veronica. She followed Freddy to the lower levels, where they set up camp in separate bedrooms.
Her room was elegantly decorated in muted pastels and minimal furniture. It was a simplistically styled room, yet it had all the luxuries she would expect of a five-star accommodation, including a walk-in wardrobe complete with a silk robe and slippers.
