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“Daddy- “
He shook his head and put the cup away. “Your mother was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met,” He smiled whimsically. “She was so lovely and classy, she was scary. When she agreed to marry me, it was like all the holidays rolled into one.
I fell for her like a ton of bricks and considered myself fortunate and blessed to be chosen by her. When we had you-“ His eyes brightened and he unconsciously reached for his coffee cup again and took a sip. “She was so happy; we were both crying like idiots.”
He took another sip before putting the cup aside. “I thought I wanted a son, but that was before you arrived.” His expression sobered.
“I love you. Not just because you’re all I have left, but because you’re so much like her. You have her spirit, her beauty and her class. You inherited her sense of empathy that makes you want to right the wrongs of the world.” He gave her a direct stare. “I’m not going to apologize for wanting the best for my little girl.”
“I’m not your little girl anymore.” She told him hoarsely.
“You always will be.”
*****
She went up to her suite after he left, her mind in a turmoil. She’d lost the chance to tell him and now the secret, plus the story he told her, was weighing on her. Not only that, but she’d noticed the tremors when he picked up the cup.
She knew of his high blood pressure and heart issues. Julian Cross wasn’t only their family physician, but also a friend, and he’d been frank with her.
“He really needs to be slowing down. The man is seventy-five and, even though he looks ten years younger, losing your mother has taken its toll. #”
“I should be doing more.”
He’d looked at her in surprise. “You’re doing a lot. He has some good people working for him, but he refuses to let go of the reins.”
“He won’t hand it over until I’m married to a good man.”
“Then you’d better get a move on.” His smile had been friendly, but she’d seen the worried look in his eyes.
Closing the doors behind her, she kicked off her boots and curled up on the chair. Maxwell was looking forward to her meeting him in Italy, but she had no idea if that was going to happen.
Chapter 10
The week flew by quickly and he’d managed to sort out the situation. The leak had been found and plugged by him personally. It hadn’t been someone from his company and that was a relief, but an outsider.
He’d been dealt with and there wasn’t going to be any further trouble. His board had disapproved of the way he dealt with it, but he had the last word, being the commander of the ship.
He’d hired the twenty-three-year-old and had him sign a binding contract. He’d also sweetened the pot by throwing a lot of money and incentives his way. "Providing you deliver." Maxwell had told him mildly. He wasn’t going to have such talent out there for his competitors to scoop up.
"I don't like office work. I’m not a drone."
"You’ll get your own space where you can work your magic. You don’t have to wear a suit. Come in naked, if that's your deal, as long as you’re producing. If I smell one hint of disloyalty, I’m going to peel the skin off your face and stuff it down your throat."
He smiled at the widening of the boy's light green eyes and the hint of fear there. "I’m sure you’ve heard of my reputation and my past. I lived on the streets for more years than I can count and I fight dirty. Are we clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good."
Now, he was here in the lovely little town of Cortona, overseeing his tiny vineyard that had been producing a very good vintage over the past two years. He was fluent in the language and that made doing business, talking with the caretaker and his wife, easy and smooth.
They were good people and he could leave everything in their hands while he went about his business and returned home. The picturesque dazzling white of the building reminded him of icing on a wedding cake.
It sat atop an incline and offered a breathtaking view of the sea and surrounding area. He knew Alessia had been all over the world, but he couldn’t wait to show her his little slice of paradise as he liked to think of it.
He'd arrived two days earlier than expected and was happy he had the time to get things ready for her arrival. He’d informed Giulia he was expecting company and the woman had been so pleased, she’d clapped her hands in delight.
"I’ll clean the place from top to bottom and cook something special for the arrival. Spaghetti alla Carbonara to go along with the fruity Pina Fiore-"
