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The sensation of the ground shifting beneath her intensified. ‘The point is that I have things to do.’
‘Things like?’
‘Like...sorting out my home. My life!’
He tossed her argument away with a very Latin gesture. ‘My people will take care of that.’
‘Take care of it how?’ she asked, but she knew.
It was with the same head-spinning efficiency that he’d first relocated her into his life the moment she’d accepted his proposal three years ago. As a renowned architect, Rocco had exceptional focus and organisational skill that seemed almost godlike at times. His ability to create magic within a vacuum had inspired a following long before he’d reached his thirties, and the list of clients waiting for his creations across the world inflated his ego and multiplied his power. So why did he continually leave her slack-jawed by his ability to pull off something so simple as dismantling her life and rearranging it into his in the space of a day? How was she even surprised that he’d calculated the move a dozen steps ahead?
‘Gianni doesn’t have a passport,’ she blurted, digging in as the ground gave way beneath her.
‘That too will be arranged,’ Rocco announced. ‘Any other objections?’
A dozen easily rose to mind, but she knew that he would bat them all away with calm efficiency. And as he’d stated, she’d agreed to marry him. There was no sense in prevaricating.
‘No. Looks like you’re a few steps ahead of me. Congratulations.’ Again she turned to leave.
‘One more thing. I’d very much like to know why my son ended up on a billboard.’
She’d wondered when he’d bring it up again, wondered whether he’d condemn her for it, but his expression only held keen curiosity. ‘Because it was a way to pass time.’ And a way to earn money, which had been secondary but also welcome. Of course, she didn’t tell Rocco that. She still had a little bit of pride left. ‘And before you object to it, you should know, we worked with a very child-friendly agency and he was recruited by one of the mothers in the mother and baby group. There was nothing underhanded about it.’
‘Did Gianni enjoy it?’ he asked, stunning her all over again. From his reaction before, she’d been prepared for his condemnation.
Her insides unknotted enough to trigger a smile as she answered. ‘He was the centre of attention, so of course he loved every minute of it.’
Her heart raced when one corner of his mouth lifted. ‘Bene. I’m thankful for the course of action that brought him into my life, but, besides the security risk, I’m also selfish and possessive about my son. So shall we agree to end the contract with the agency?’
She didn’t owe him any explanation. That was why she didn’t tell him that it’d only been a temporary thing. And of course, he was right. Now that Gianni had been claimed as Rocco’s son, his father’s wealth and influence meant his privacy and security were paramount. ‘Fine. Are there any other edicts you wish to throw around?’
‘You haven’t lost your fierce spirit, cara. That’s good to see. I have a feeling you’ll need it in the weeks and months to come.’
‘Is that a threat?’ she asked sharply.
His smile widened, its pulse-racing effect making her clench her thighs tighter. ‘No, cara mia, it’s quite the opposite. Call it anticipation. Butting heads with me always turned you on. Seems you haven’t lost that urge.’
Feeling another wave of heat invade her belly, she took a hurried step towards the door. ‘I really don’t know what you’re talking about. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and inform Gianni that we’re staying.’
He nodded. ‘Has your email address changed?’
‘Why?’ she asked warily.
‘To enable my team to liaise with you about packing up your house.’
Dear God, it was all going so fast. She raised a hand to her temple and massaged it, hoping to stop the dizziness assailing her. ‘I have a say in something, then, do I?’
Displeasure etched into his face. ‘I’m not a complete tyrant, Mia,’ he murmured.
You could’ve fooled me, she wanted to blurt. But she’d exhibited far too many weaknesses around him. ‘It hasn’t changed,’ she murmured.
‘Good,’ he said abruptly, then, with another penetrative look, he turned away and sauntered back to his desk.
Mia left, reeling from the breakneck speed of events. Needing his grounding presence, she went in search of Gianni. She found him in the garden, exploring the profusion of flowers being tended to by the housekeeper. As if sensing she wanted to be alone with him, the housekeeper discreetly absented herself, leaving Mia to bask in her son’s unabashed delight as he dug through dirt.
Hearing a plane flying overhead, Gianni excitedly pointed to it.
Unbidden, a lump formed in her throat. Tomorrow, her son would be taking his first trip on a plane. She stopped herself from telling him just yet. It wouldn’t stop the freight-train momentum of what was happening, of course, but she needed a little more time where she could pretend everything was normal.
