Modern Romance September 2017 Books 1 - 4. Кэрол Мортимер
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your robe on.’
‘And I’m still waiting for the assistance you so gallantly offered.’
Gregorio ignored her sarcasm as he helped her to put her robe on. Lia was obviously spoiling for a fight this morning, and he wasn’t about to give her one.
‘Did you know that your accent gets stronger when you’re angry?’
He finished tying the robe of the belt about her waist before stepping back. ‘Then I must presume it is always stronger when I am with you.’
Lia arched a mocking auburn brow. ‘Did you just make a joke?’
‘Doubtful,’ he drawled dryly.
‘Irony is joking.’
‘Then I must make jokes all the time.’
‘When you’re with me.’ She nodded.
‘When I am with anyone.’
Lia eyed him quizzically. ‘You and your brother aren’t much alike, are you?’
He tensed. ‘In looks—’
‘Oh, I wasn’t talking about the way you look—that’s a given,’ she dismissed without further explanation. ‘What is your youngest brother like?’
‘Alejandro is...complicated,’ he replied cautiously.
Alejandro’s problems were not discussed outside the family.
‘Like you, then.’ Lia nodded. ‘He was married, wasn’t he?’
That was part of Alejandro’s problem. And what did Lia mean by saying that he was complicated?
His life was an open book. He was a successful businessman. Wealthy. Single. He had a healthy sexual appetite, as the newspapers were so fond of reporting, and he didn’t hide the fact that he had zero patience with incompetence or triviality. Or that he was bored very easily.
Something he had certainly never been when he was with Lia...
‘You’re taking too long to answer, which probably means you aren’t going to.’ Lia sighed. ‘Can we go back to the kitchen now? The coffee is calling to me.’
Gregorio gave an exasperated laugh as he followed her out of the bedroom. ‘You are obsessed with your morning coffee!’
‘He left with a scowl on his face and returns smiling,’ Sebastien observed mockingly as Lia and Gregorio entered the kitchen together. ‘You’re a miracle-worker, Lia.’
She grimaced. ‘I think you’ll find Gregorio was laughing at me rather than with me.’
Sebastien shrugged. ‘A smile is still a smile, for whatever reason.’
‘Is that such a rare occurrence?’ Lia seemed to recall that Gregorio had laughed quite often when the two of them were together. When they weren’t arguing or making love...
‘I would say unique rather than—’
‘When the two of you have quite finished discussing me as if I am not here...’ Gregorio raised pointed brows as he handed Lia the mug of coffee he had just poured for her.
Oh, Lia was only too aware that Gregorio was there. As she’d said, Sebastien was as dark and handsome as his brother. But he possessed an easy charm that was lacking in Gregorio—although, on closer inspection, the sharp intelligence in Sebastien’s eyes gave the impression that that might be a veneer over a deeper, darker nature. But it was Gregorio she was constantly aware of. Every minute. Every second.
Lia chose to concentrate on drinking her coffee rather than make any reply to Gregorio’s comment. Until the silence in the kitchen became uncomfortable. ‘What were the two of you discussing when I came in?’ Apart from the fact that Gregorio couldn’t wait to move her out of his hotel suite.
‘Your ex-fiancé.’ Sebastien was the one to answer her.
She winced. ‘I would rather not be reminded of that fact.’
‘As would we all,’ Gregorio put in harshly.
Lia gave him a sharp glance, knowing she deserved the admonition in his tone. Thank goodness she was no longer that naïve nincompoop who had fallen for David’s charm. ‘Any news on his whereabouts?’
‘None,’ Gregorio answered grimly. ‘Lia, the police will be coming here to interview you in just under an hour—’
‘The police?’ she echoed sharply.
He nodded. ‘We can and will find Richardson, Lia, but it’s better if the police bring him to justice for the things he has done. As such, I telephoned the police and reported his attack on you last night first thing this morning. The story will be backed up by the broken door and the hospital report on your broken arm.’
She carefully placed her empty coffee mug down on the breakfast bar. ‘You should have consulted me before doing that.’
‘Why?’
‘Why?’
‘Uh-oh—I think I’ll go and take a shower and grab a couple of hours’ sleep, if no one minds.’ Sebastien glanced between the two of them. Lia was glaring at Gregorio and he looked genuinely perplexed by her anger. ‘Obviously no one is even going to notice I’ve gone!’
Lia waited only as long as it took for Sebastien to leave the room before answering Gregorio. ‘You had no right to contact the police without talking to me first.’
‘I had every right.’ A nerve pulsed in his tightly clenched jaw. ‘I should have called them last night, once we reached the hospital, but I decided to wait until today—’
‘It wasn’t your decision to make—’
‘God knows what would have happened to you last night if I hadn’t kicked open the door to your apartment!’
She was well aware of how much she owed Gregorio. ‘But the police, Gregorio...’ She groaned as she sank down onto one of the bar stools.
Gregorio frowned as he saw how pale her cheeks had become. ‘Do you not see that this is the best way to put Richardson in the spotlight of the authorities? The police will want to know the motivation for his attack on you, and I will hand over to the police all the information I have gathered so far in regard to Richardson’s illegal dealings with your father.’
Lia saw Gregorio’s motivation. It had been very cleverly done.
He had taken care of two problems at the same time. He would pass on the information he had concerning Fairbanks Industries to the police and at the same time ensure that this situation ended as quickly as possible. The two of them would then be able to get on with their own respective lives.
Which was what she wanted too.
Wasn’t it?
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