Page 23 of Bride of Betrayal
‘Can I get some water, please?’ she asked.
About three assistants scrambled to get her water. She almost smiled when she heard a soft curse behind her and then a familiar scent washed over her and a strong masculine hand was putting down a glass of water on the table by her elbow.
‘I’m sorry, you shouldn’t have had to ask.’
Angelica took a sip and saw one assistant’s face go pale, clearly under Leo’s fierce look of censure.
She figured he might not be so accommodating if she’d kicked up a fuss over signing away any last links to Aldo’s money. But of course she hadn’t. Now she really was free of his toxic tentacles.
She stood up and the solicitors, lawyers and assistants melted away. She turned around to face Leo, who was looking at her a little warily. She’d been avoiding looking at him for most of the day and now he filled her vision.
Tall and broad, light blue shirt, dark trousers. Top button open. Sleeves rolled up. Hair messy. Jaw stubbled.
She wished she hadn’t looked at him because now she couldn’t look away and the humiliation of the previous night came flooding back. She clung onto her impassive shell, loath to let Leo see how he affected her.
Eventually he said almost accusingly, ‘I don’t get it. Why did you marry him if it wasn’t for his money or power?’
Angelica went over to one of the windows. Night had fallen outside. The city was lit up. She could see the outline of the Colosseum in the distance. She could also see Leo reflected in the window behind her. She felt brittle and exposed. ‘You’re so cynical. Maybe we were in love.’ She nearly choked on the words.
He made a snorting sound. ‘Yes, your grief is admirable.’
Angelica turned around, arms folded across her chest. ‘It’s none of your business. You dumped me, remember? You don’t get to know about my life after that.’
Leo frowned. ‘Did you go with him to get back at me?’
Angelica almost laughed at the quaint notion. But then she just felt incredibly weary. ‘No, I did not marry that man to punish you for rejecting me.’
Leo opened his mouth again but Angelica put up a hand, ‘I’m quite tired now. It’s been a long day. Where are we staying?’
‘I’m renting an apartment in a hotel not far from here. Aldo sold the apartment I had here under the company name. I’m looking at properties to buy.’
Angelica’s insides twisted. She’d loved Leo’s Rome apartment, high in one of the oldest buildings with an outdoor terrace that gave 360-degree views of the ancient city. She’d known that Aldo had sold it and when he’d crowed about it she’d just looked right through him and pretended she couldn’t care less.
Leo said, ‘I’m going to stay here and do a little bit of work. We have a charity function to attend tomorrow evening at the art museum. This is our first appearance in Rome. I’m sure you’ll make it as memorable as our appearances in New York.’
That weariness washed over Angelica again. The thought of seeking out the most outrageous outfit to wear was no longer remotely appealing. She was eternally grateful when Leo said, ‘The driver is downstairs. He’ll take you to the hotel. I’ll see you in the morning.’
She didn’t respond, she just walked out, feeling both lighter for having signed away any right to Aldo’s tainted legacy and heavy, to be back here in Rome with the man who had made her both happier than she’d ever thought she could be, and more devastated.
When she got to the sumptuous apartment at the top of one of Rome’s most exclusive hotels, she blindly went into the first empty bedroom she found, pulled off her clothes and tried not to think of Leo undoing her zip on that dress last night. She took a shower and crawled into the bed with the robe still on and fell into a deep sleep.
Even though he’d told Angelica that he wanted to work, Leo couldn’t settle after she’d left. Things just weren’t adding up.Whyhadn’t she demanded some of Aldo’s fortune? Which, admittedly, was all Leo’s. She could have named her price and Leo would have given it to her in order to own his own business outright again. But she’d just signed every piece of paper handed to her. Much as she had in New York.
Of course it had occurred to him over the years that, in a fit of pique at his rejection, she’d flitted into the arms of his best friend, but not really until now, until it had become clear she had no designs on taking anything for herself. Which she was entitled to.
She’d even point-blank refused a percentage of what she had inherited on Aldo’s death. She’d almost looked ill at the suggestion.
Leo stood at the window in the same spot where she’d stood. No, things were not clear at all, and now that she had effectively signed everything back over to him…could he really insist that they remain married?
He thought of the press coverage, especially afterthatdress last night. The dress that had pushed him over the edge of his reason. The dress that had appeared splashed over every tabloid from New York to London.
No, he still needed her. If she wasn’t providing such a distraction, the press would be all over his current situation and asking questions and speculating as to how he could have possibly been weak enough as to almost lose everything. And, could it happen again? He knew not, but he needed to be in a strong position of power when eyes turned to him again. He didn’t want there to be any doubt that he would ever risk his company again.
As of this evening, it was returned to his name and with a new title: Falzone Global Management. He was back on track, a bit bruised and scarred but otherwise intact.
He should just accept the fact that she had chosen not to contest her inheritance and move on. Maybe she was that proud and independent. Far more than he’d even given her credit for. She still owed him for her betrayal and, as she’d pointed out, maybe it was none of his business what her motives were. She’d given him what he wanted and he would make use of her until he was ready to let her go.
Last night he’d almost forgotten everything. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. Even if Angelica turned up naked to the next event.
