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Stefano slapped his palm on the table. ‘Ascoltami—’
‘No. You listen,’ Maceo interrupted, his patience gossamer-thin. ‘Carlotta was too kind-hearted to tell you that she despised both of you. You made her life hell when she married Luigi and you treated her contemptibly at every opportunity until she made you rich. Now she’s gone, and I harbour no such inclination. Your positions in this company are secure...for now. Don’t push me or your circumstances will change very quickly.’
He rose from the table, itching to be away from this room. He assured himself that the other reason he was so eager to leave had nothing to do with accessing his security team to verify that Faye Bishop had truly left the building.
Casting one last dismissive glance at the brothers, he added, ‘Your sister left you some personal effects. I’ll leave Signor Abruzzo to apprise you of them.’
He left the room to ringing silence.
One step out the door and he was retrieving his phone. His assistant answered on the first ring. ‘Get Security to track down the woman who was just here. Her name is Faye Bishop. I want her back here pronto—’
‘There’s no need, signor. Miss Bishop is waiting in your office.’
Maceo slid his phone back into his pocket and told himself the rush of heat through his veins wasn’t anticipation. Just as he’d dealt with Carlotta’s brothers, he would simply deal with another loose end.
* * *
With every bone in her body Faye wished she’d had the nerve to keep walking once she’d decided to reject Carlotta’s bequest. But...
Pride goes before a fall.
And hers had been one prideful act she’d known, even as it was enfolding, she’d have to go back on. Because, ultimately, this wasn’t about her.
It was about her mother.
It was about every woman who needed vital assistance.
Every victim who could use some support to get back on their feet.
She’d made it as far as the breathtaking steel, marble and glass atrium on the ground floor before good sense had kicked in. Thank goodness the receptionist there had accepted her explanation that she had unfinished business with Signor Fiorenti and allowed her to return to the top floor. Surprisingly, she’d been directed to the CEO’s office, instead of the conference room, and here she’d been cooling her heels for the last half-hour, pondering the consequences of her hasty decision.
Had she, with a few emotive words, ruined her chances of helping countless women in need? Would the formidable man who had informed her of her inheritance give her the chance to take back her decision?
A hot little tremor shook through her at the thought of facing him again.
Maceo Fiorenti seemed the unforgiving sort who would hold a grudge. Perhaps even enjoy taunting her. Hell, he’d been bristling with rancour before they’d exchanged a word. It was clear he saw her as undeserving of this inheritance. Which meant she had a fight on her hands...
The heavy opaque glass door opened and, as if summoned by her frenzied imagination, he walked in. Faye jumped up from where she’d perched on the edge of the sofa in the vast, dramatically grey-and-glass corner office.
He barely spared her a glance. Crossing the room, he shrugged off his jacket and tossed it towards a sleek-looking coatrack. It landed perfectly, she was sure, but Faye wasn’t paying attention to the jacket. Her eyes were riveted on the play of sleek muscles; her mouth drying as she took in the sheer breadth of his shoulders, the sculpted back, trim waist and the hint of washboard abs.
His body was in pristine condition, honed to perfection, with not a single ounce of superfluous flesh on display. Coupled with his height and jaw-dropping features, it was sinful how magnificent he was.
But she wasn’t here to admire his physique, enthralling as it was. She was here to reverse the damage she’d done.
She swallowed and opened her mouth, just as he looked up and spoke, his eyes freezing her in place.
‘I’m not sure whether to be disappointed at this backtracking or to praise you for the humble pie you’re clearly willing to eat by returning.’
So much for hoping he’d let it go.
She forced a shrug. ‘You can be both, as long as you hear me out.’
‘Bene. Let’s hear another impassioned speech you don’t really mean.’
Faye swallowed her irritation. ‘I was too hasty. I shouldn’t have said what I said.’
He flicked her a dismissive glance, his lips twisting in faint amusement. ‘I have already gathered that much. The question is why did you say it?’
