Bianca was torn. Torn at least in two and probably into a lot more.
Part of her had a heart filling up with almost tearful emotion as she heard her uncle tell the sad, sad story that he had told her the day after her arrival in Italy, with mutual tears and so much emotion, of the father she had never known.
But another part of her was steely—out of necessity. Stark, pitiless necessity. Because she was holding her nerve against the man sitting opposite her.
Luca—walking out of the toxic past.
Her mouth tightened momentarily. At least it had given her a stab of vicious pleasure to see his expression as his eyes had alighted on her when he’d come into thesaloni.His shock, and the appalled, disbelieving look on his face had matched her own. And then, after his vile accusations out on the terrace just now, she had got her own back when Matteo had made his bombshell announcement about who she was.
Oh, that had given her satisfaction indeed!
He couldchokeon what he’d suspected her of! Justchokeon it!
And as for Luca—Luca!—turning out to be her uncle’s precious godson… Well, he could choke on that too! She didn’t give a damn…could not care less.
It’s nothing to do with me—nothing.
Oh, she would never tell her uncle why she hated his precious godson. Would never give a hint of it, or of the fact that she’d known him—to her cost!—six years ago, when he’d enjoyed himself slumming it with her until he’d been recalled to his aristocratic life out here in Italy, far too posh for the likes of her! No, that could stay buried in the past—the only place it was fit for.
In the here and now, if she must, she’d bring herself to be civil to Luca—if only barely so—in Matteo’s presence. But that was all. Besides, Matteo had said he worked in Rome, travelled abroad a lot on business. That, surely, would keep him away?
And he’ll want to stay away, anyway. He won’t want to come here…see me. I’m the last person he’d want to see. To have anything at all to do with.
He’d made that clear six years ago. Brutally clear.
No, Luca had walked out of her life six years ago and he could stay out. Apart from occasional visits to Matteo, while her uncle still lived, there would be no reason for her and Luca to have anything to do with each other. None.
He’s Matteo’s godson and I’m his niece—end of. No other connection.
She turned her attention back to what her uncle had started to say. And as she heard him out she could only stare in disbelief.
More than disbelief.
Horror.
* * *
Luca stilled. He surely could not be hearing what Matteo was saying now, his expression troubled, his voice agitated.
‘Bianca will be my heir, but I fear for her! Alone and unprotected as she will be. Jackals will circle—those who see in her a target…someone to exploit. Wanting the wealth she will possess. Oh, I fear for her when I am no longer here!’
Anxiety was rising in Matteo’s voice and Luca saw him clutch at Bianca’s hand again, saw the expression on her face turn to concern.
‘Which is why, my dear boy, my dear Luca, the godson I trust implicitly, completely, I make this heartfelt, impassioned request to you. Toyou.Thatyouwill protect my niece…guard her…keep her safe from the circling jackals who will see in her a vulnerable, beautiful woman and think…dare!…to beguile her…tempt her—’
He broke off, his face contorting. Then he found words again.
‘I beg you…implore you, Luca…to protect Bianca in the one sure and certain way that she can be protected, kept safe from such jackals!’
He took another breath, a laboured one. He was becoming more agitated, and Luca’s alarm was growing. But then his alarm changed to something quite different…
‘It is why I asked you here this evening!’ Matteo got out. ‘My time is short, Luca…so short! But if I knew for certain that you would protect Bianca then I can leave this world, so dangerous to her, with peace of mind…peace of heart.’ His expression changed, calmed. ‘Knowing that you will be her protector in the most absolute way possible.’
His eyes burned into Luca’s.
‘As Bianca’s husband,’ he said.
CHAPTER FOUR