Italian Marriage: In Name Only Read Online Free PDF

conversation.
    Victoria didn’t move. She was aware of the secretary from the outer office coming into the room behind her and whispering a rather breathless apology about Victoria’s intrusion, but she was waved away dismissively. Then the door closed.
    ‘As far as I can see this is the perfect solution,’ Antonio told his lawyer in Italian as his gaze moved slowly over Victoria, inspecting her from the tip of her flat-heeled shoes up over the unflattering mid-calf-length skirt before lingering on her left hand to make sure she wore no ring. Hesmiled. ‘But don’t get me wrong, Roberto. This will just be a marriage on paper—a business move. I’ll divorce her once the shares are mine. But what makes this so perfect is that she already has a child.’ His eyes rested on the little boy in her arms as he listened to what his lawyer had to say and he noticed how protectively she held him in against her slender body.
    ‘I’ve read the documents, Roberto. The old man has forgotten to stipulate that the child must be a direct bloodline to the Cavelli family. He hasn’t even said anything about the Cavelli name. So you see where I’m going with this…a marriage of convenience to a woman who already has a child is perfect.’ Antonio’s lips curved in a triumphant smile as he imagined his father’s horror when he realized his mistake and yet still had to hand over all of his shares in the business. It was the perfect revenge. In fact, Antonio could hardly wait now to tie the knot and present this woman as his wife—was looking forward to seeing the expression on his father’s face when he saw her and her illegitimate child and realized he’d been outmanoeuvred, had lost control of the business.
    ‘I’ll leave it in your capable hands, Roberto—I want a watertight contract and prenuptial agreement drawing up immediately.’ He leaned forward and flicked through the calendar on his desk. ‘I’m due to fly home to Italy next Monday. So I could marry her that afternoo…Yes, I have a couple of hours free before the flight—that gives you over a week to do your magic with the legal side of things. I’ll get all her details, child’s full name, et cetera, and get back to you.’
    Antonio replaced the receiver and silence fell in the office like a blanket of ice. She was glaring at him, her green eyes narrowed like a cat, wary, cornered and ready to pounce.
    ‘Take a seat.’ He spoke in English again and waved her towards the chair opposite but still she didn’t move. She hadn’t understood a word he’d been saying on the phone but she’d noticed the way he had looked at her and her whole bodywas still tingling in consternation. He’d made her feel as if she was some kind of object being weighed up ready for auction and found wanting.
    How dare he look at her like that! Who the hell did he think he was?
    ‘So what exactly is going on here?’ Her voice wasn’t quite steady and she hated herself for that. She wanted to be in control, and she certainly didn’t want him to know just how nervous he made her feel. ‘I take it you’re the man behind this takeover deal for my restaurant?’ She tipped her head up proudly. ‘And that you’ve been hiding behind another company’s name?’
    ‘I am Lancier. I own the company.’ He sounded completely at ease.
    ‘That’s as may be, but it’s a fact that you conveniently forgot to mention when you were in my restaurant today!’
    ‘I was in your restaurant to have lunch, not discuss business.’ He sat back in his chair and regarded her steadily. ‘As you know, my accountant, Tom Roberts, has been running the Australian side of my business. I’ve just flown in to look over things.’
    ‘And you’ve decided you no longer want to buy the lease on my restaurant?’ Her voice was softer now—all the anger and recriminations buried behind a far heavier weight of worry.
    ‘I’ve had second thoughts about the situation…yes.’ Antonio was distracted