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Mia pressed her fingers into her temples. She felt railroaded and unsure how to proceed. All Mia knew was that she had to work out,carefully,whether or not to tell Dante the whole truth.
And if she did, how to tell him?
‘Mia?’ Dante pushed, but when nothing more was forthcoming, exasperated, he strode off. ‘I’m going out.’
‘Where?’
But Dante didn’t answer.
He badly needed some advice.
Dante could have walked to Roberto’s; it was just a twenty-minute or so stroll to where he lived, but in case there were any dramas with the press, he took the car. Roberto had given him good advice on a couple of personal predicaments in the past.
Except it didn’t look as if Roberto was home.
Remembering that Roberto had been unwell, Dante negotiated the pots of orchids on the porch to peer through a window, but found the drapes were closed.
What if he’d fallen? Dante thought. What if...? But his concern momentarily faded as Roberto came to the door.
‘Dante!’ Roberto greeted him. ‘This is a nice surprise.’
‘Hey,’ Dante said. ‘I thought for a moment you were out.’
‘No, no, I was just having a rest.’
‘How are you feeling?’ Dante asked, troubled by Roberto’s complexion.
‘Better, though I could not have made it there last night. So, tell me, how was the ball?’
‘You haven’t heard?’ Dante raised his eyebrows because Roberto was usually sharp and the first to know what was going on with the Romanos. ‘Roberto, I need some advice.’
‘Then come in.’
Dante tried not to frown as Roberto let him in, for the place wasn’t in its usual neat order and neither was Roberto, who he was sure was wearing yesterday’s clothes, for they were rumpled and less than fresh. The drapes were closed too and there was the smell of stale whisky on Roberto’s breath, but Dante made no comment.
‘We’ll go through to the study...’ Roberto said, and waved him through.
It was a little messy with the smell of cigarettes hanging in the air, and the study was rather dusty. ‘Excuse the mess,’ Roberto said. ‘I haven’t been in here for a while.’
‘It’s fine,’ Dante said. ‘What did the doctor say?’
‘The usual.’
‘Which is?’ Dante pushed, troubled by his appearance.
‘I am to take up a hobby.’ Roberto gave a wry laugh. ‘Start walking, stop smoking, cut down on whisky.’
‘And are you going to take his advice?’
‘I am pondering it,’ Roberto sighed. ‘He says it is common for a man to become depressed when he retires. Now, what can I do for you, Dante?’ Roberto asked as he took a seat at his desk.
‘I’m not sure,’ Dante admitted. ‘It’s regarding Mia.’
‘She’s not contesting the will, is she?’ Roberto frowned.
‘No,’ Dante said, ‘There are bigger issues than that to be faced. I found out last night that Mia is pregnant.’
‘No.’ Roberto immediately shook his head. ‘That is not possible.’
