All You Desire Read Online Free PDF Page B

chest.
    â€œThe issuing company. Now, would you like to settle your bill in cash, or would you prefer to check out early?” It was no secret which option the woman would have chosen for them.
    â€œWe’ll pay in cash,” Iain stated for the second time that evening. “I had an envelope placed in the hotel safe. Would you mind retrieving it for me?”
    â€œNot at all,” the woman responded curtly.
    â€œ Now do you believe me?” Haven asked as soon as she and Iain were alone in the office. “Someone’s shut down my accounts. It has to be Adam. Who else would be able to do this to us?”
    â€œLet’s not jump to any conclusions,” Iain said, still determined to comfort her. “It’s only four thirty in New York. We should have time to deal with the problem. Check your e-mail first, and see if there’s anything new. Maybe the credit card company sent you an alert. It’s probably a misunderstanding.”
    â€œA misunderstanding? Then how do you explain the girl on the Vespa? She was watching us.”
    â€œThis is Italy, Haven,” Iain said. “Do you know how many girls here ride Vespas?”
    â€œIn snowstorms?” Haven countered.
    â€œPlease, Haven. Check your e-mail.”
    Haven rifled through her handbag for her phone. Sure enough, a message had arrived two hours earlier from Haven’s lawyer in New York. She scanned the note.
    â€œWell, that explains it,” Haven announced. “Your mother is suing me.”
    â€œShe’s what ?” Iain’s calm façade finally cracked.
    â€œShe says I forged your will.”
    â€œRead me the note.”
    â€œâ€˜Dear Miss Moore, I regret to inform you that your accounts have been temporarily frozen. Your late boyfriend’s mother, Mrs. Virginia Morrow, has filed a lawsuit accusing you of inheritance fraud. She believes the signature on Iain’s will may not be authentic. A Manhattan judge has ordered that the Morrow family fortune be placed in escrow until the issue is resolved. He has also requested that the original document signed by Iain Morrow be forwarded to Mr. Harold Tuckerman, a noted expert on the subject of forgery. Please telephone me at your earliest convenience. We need to discuss this matter at once.’”
    â€œI can’t believe it,” Iain muttered. “I left that woman five million dollars in my will. I thought it would take her a decade to drink her way through it.”
    â€œWell, let’s look on the bright side,” Haven said, though she could barely see one herself. “At least Adam isn’t behind it.”
    â€œDon’t underestimate my mother,” Iain replied. “When it comes to pure evil, she makes Adam Rosier look like the Easter bunny.”
    In the past year, Haven had heard dozens of stories about Iain’s father, who’d passed away shortly before she and Iain had reunited. A difficult man, Jerome Morrow had made Iain’s childhood far more complicated than it had to be, escorting his son to countless psychiatrists, each with a different flavor of pill to prescribe. Yet it was clear that Jerome Morrow had loved his son, even if that love had been poorly expressed. However, Iain rarely spoke of his mother. Whenever the subject came up, he would always do his best to change it.
    â€œYou’re exaggerating,” Haven said softly.
    â€œNo.” Iain was adamant. “I’m not. She once held me hostage at her villa until my father agreed to increase her alimony payments. I missed an entire month of sixth grade. Believe me, she’d let us both starve if she thought there was the slightest chance of getting her hands on the Morrow fortune.”
    â€œWe’re not going to starve, are we?” Haven laughed nervously. “We must have some money set aside for emergencies.”
    â€œSome,” Iain admitted. “But it won’t last forever.”
    â€œWell,