Her Dark Dragon Read Online Free PDF Page A

but after that day in the study with Sam, her mother had changed, had become hardened to the yard and to her. At first, she had just thought it was grief over her husband's death catching up. Now, she understood it was anger.
    Matteo had tried to protect Danni and the label, and Felice hated them all, especially the vineyard and what it represented. He'd tied her to the land she hated. Danni felt the pieces fall into place, the comments that didn't make sense, the careless disregard for the vines that first season. It wasn't until she met Robert that her mother had changed tack. Robert was the one to make her see ways to use the vineyard and its opportunities. None of this was her fault. She'd been just sixteen when her father died.
    "I'm sorry you feel that way, Felice," Danni said, unable to look at the woman beside her and call her mother. "I'm sorry you didn't tell me from the start."
    "And have you waging war on us? No way." Robert had begun to slur just slightly.
    "And we couldn't have that, could we, Robert? It would have ruined your plans to renovate the house."
    "For a start, yes. Your mother and I both deserved to live better than that old farm shack. Since we were going to be stuck here all those years, it was the only way to make the time tolerable."
    "And the netsukes?"
    "Consider them petty cash," he said, acknowledging his words with a mock toast of his glass, knowing he was pushing her further toward an outburst. Danni realized that was what he wanted, a big blowup of a confrontation so he could call her ungrateful and walk away with a clear conscience. She wouldn't give that to him or her mother. Instead, she spoke clearly and softly.
    "You'd better start packing, Felice. I spoke with Sam today."
    "He's not our lawyer anymore, that old…"
    "He's my lawyer, and that's all that matters. Tomorrow, you'll receive eviction papers, and you have two weeks to leave the premises."
    "Two weeks, that's impossible! It will take weeks just to get the furniture shipped to the auction house."
    "When you leave, you will take only your clothing. I'm assured the house and everything in it is mine, and won't be auctioned for spare cash. Call Sam in the morning if you don't believe me." She walked to the dining room doorway and paused. Her mother looked shocked, and Robert angry. "I also spent time with Mr. Jansen this afternoon. All the farm's accounts are being audited. No checks or withdrawals will be honored without my approval."
    "You can't do that!" Robert yelled, his fist smashing down onto the tabletop.
    "I already have, Robert. Best you collect your personal items and be gone as soon as possible. I'll be in touch about the audit."
    "Danielle, you really don't mean to toss us out. We're your parents!"
    "You may be my mother, Felice, but that didn't matter when you were selling off my land. And Robert was never my father. Matteo Cirillo was my father, and I will spend the rest of my days trying to get back my family land. You didn't care then. I don't care now."
    She wanted to leave, but had one parting shot. "Don't expect any cash from the sale of the house. I'm not selling. And you can't force me to sell. According to what I've found so far, this vineyard has paid you both above and beyond any realistic salary. Your greed has run its course. Neither of you are welcome here, ever again."
    "I'll sue you, Danielle." Her mother stood and braced her hands on the tabletop.
    A look of hate Danni had never seen before spread across her face. "Go ahead, but it will be a waste of money. I have Robert's laptop and the hard drive from the office. Both are being analyzed. I have every right, you see, because they were purchased with Cirillo money."
    "Danni, please, I know you're upset, but treating us this way is only going to make matters worse. If the people in the valley knew, our friends, our reputations…"
    She realized her mother was more upset about appearances than her own daughter's feelings or future. "Actually, the