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Cristiano had given them his name, his wealth, his status. But Hallie and their son would never be more than possessions to him. He would never give them a home. Unless...
She took a deep breath.
There was only one way to break through. One risk she h
ad to take, to win or lose it all.
Putting on lipstick, Hallie met her own scared eyes in the mirror.
Tonight she would tell him she loved him.
CHAPTER EIGHT
WEARING HIS TUXEDO, Cristiano paced furiously at the bottom of the villa’s sweeping stairs. They were already five minutes late to his own hotel’s grand opening gala.
Another transgression to add to the list. A low curse escaped his lips.
He could not believe Hallie had gone behind his back to speak to his father, his mortal enemy.
He’d thought he could trust her. Their marriage had been going so well. Living in this lavish villa overlooking the sea, as he’d been busy overseeing the Campania Cavello’s final preparations, Hallie had been the perfect wife: beautiful, patient, supportive and uncomplaining. She’d been an excellent mother to their son by day and a hot temptress in Cristiano’s bed by night. In his opinion, it was the perfect relationship.
Then she’d snuck out to meet Luigi Bennato behind his back.
Cristiano ground his teeth. He would send Salvatore to visit the man and warn him off. No, better yet, he’d send a lawyer. Send a cease-and-desist letter. Get a restraining order. Yes. Then he’d take Hallie, leave Italy and never return.
But the world was a small place. What would stop Bennato from contacting Hallie again if she wanted it? Pacing, he clawed his hand through his dark hair.
If Hallie wouldn’t obey his rules, how could he protect her? How could he keep Hallie and the baby safe? How could he make sure he never lost them?
His eyes narrowed. He hoped she now realized the error of her ways. He expected her to apologize tonight. He would try to forgive her.
He would also make sure she never had the chance to betray him again.
“Am I late?” He heard her sweet voice from behind him.
Turning, Cristiano looked up and sucked in his breath.
Hallie was at the top of the stairs, her glossy hair pulled up in an elegant bun. Her red ball gown fit perfectly, from the tight bodice to the full skirts. He held his breath as he watched her come down the stairs, in awe at her beauty.
“You are magnificent,” he said in a low voice. She smiled, her cheeks turning a pretty shade of pink.
“You are too kind.” But she gave him a troubled glance from beneath her dark lashes. Her lips were full and red. His eyes widened, then fell lower to the round curve of her breasts, plump and ripe beneath the corset-style bodice.
Even as angry as he was, he was tempted to grab her and take her back upstairs. He’d already started to reach for her when he caught himself. He couldn’t miss the gala tonight. He was the host. He took a deep breath and forced himself to pretend he was civilized.
“I have something for you, cara. The perfect addition to your dress.”
Reaching into his tuxedo jacket pocket, he pulled out a flat black velvet box. Inside it was a sparkling diamond necklace. As she gasped, he put it gently around her neck, attaching the clasp at the back.
Hallie looked down at the glittering stones. “They’re beautiful.”
“Nothing compared to you, my beautiful wife,” he whispered, kissing her. Feeling her lips against his was pure heaven, making him tremble with the power of her unconscious sensuality. When he finally drew back, he was more determined than ever to make her submit to his will, to keep their perfect marriage exactly as it was.
He held out his arm. “Shall we go?”
She hesitated, then took his arm, wrapping her hands around the sleeve of his black tuxedo jacket.
After helping her into his red sports car, he drove the short distance to the new Campania Hotel Cavello, clinging to a rocky cliff overlooking the village across the bay. A uniformed valet took their car, and they walked into the hotel on a red carpet. She clung to his arm as photographers flashed pictures of them. “Look over here!”
