Rebel's Bargain Read Online Free PDF Page A

pillows.
    ‘And my eyes?’
    Orsino tried not to read significance into the pause before the doctor answered.
    He’d come a long way from those hours half frozen as he dragged Michael from the avalanche. More than once he’d thought them both lost for ever.
    Whatever the prognosis it was better than being another fatal statistic.
    ‘Ah. Your vision. That’s more difficult. As we discussed earlier, snow blindness usually doesn’t last. But in some cases, such as yours, there canbe longer-term damage. The injury to your head hasn’t helped.’
    ‘But I will recover?’
    Again that pause. Orsino drew a deep breath as he fought panic. These days of darkness had been the most taxing of his life. How would he cope if poor vision stopped him doing the things that made life worthwhile? He’d go insane.
    ‘I’m hopeful.’
    ‘But?’
    ‘But how long it takes and whether the recovery will be complete I can’t say. You’ll need regular monitoring. I’ve made a referral for you to see an excellent specialist in France.’
    Orsino murmured his thanks as the doctor left.
    Ironic that he’d damaged his vision while raising money for an eye clinic.
    No, that wasn’t true. The clinic hadn’t been the real impetus for his perilous climb. It had been his father, and his own impetuous anger.
    Five years ago Orsino had thrown himself into ever more reckless adventures, trying to escape the pain of loss and Poppy’s betrayal.
    The media had loved his dangerous stunts, providing him with an opportunity to do something he actually felt proud of—making a difference in the lives of those who needed help. His exploits lured donors to support a range of causes and for the first time he’d had real purpose, not just an easy life of privilege.
    Till his father, Gene Chatsfield, took an interest.
    Orsino’s unbandaged hand clenched against the bedclothes, frustration rising.
    If his father had wanted to reconcile Orsino would have met him halfway.
    But Gene wasn’t interested in happy families. His interest was purely commercial.
    Orsino gritted his teeth. Had he really hoped the old man was interested in more than making money?
    To Gene Chatsfield his daredevil son was no more than a potential business asset. He wanted Orsino as the public face of his revamped luxury hotel chain, using his philanthropy as a draw card.
    Heat seared Orsino’s belly. His father cheapened everything Orsino had built. What had given him such purpose and satisfaction was reduced to the level of tawdry circus stunts to draw a crowd.
    And when Orsino had refused he’d been threatened with loss of income from the family trust.
    As if he was some callow kid, to be manipulated and brought to heel!
    His father didn’t know him at all. In twenty-eight years he’d learned enough about investment to build his own fortune separate from his family trust fund. These days Orsino lived off his own earnings and the trust monies were channelled into charitable programs.
    Sure he’d been wild in his youth, not surprisinggiven his family background. But his father made the mistake of thinking he was still eighteen.
    Orsino shook his head, his mouth twisting. Who was he kidding?
    His decision to make this last climb had been pure defiance, thumbing his nose at his father’s manipulations.
    Orsino shoved away the covers and sat up, sick of being confined.
    He swung his legs over the side of the bed, vowing to be done with emotion. Look where it had got him. Disappointment and, yes, hurt at his father’s attitude had sent him on a climb that had been a hairsbreadth from suicidal.
    As for Poppy … Orsino paused, pain lancing as he forgot his ribs and took a deep breath.
    Poppy made him feel out of control, no longer master of his own destiny. She threatened him in ways his father could never manage.
    This vulnerability had to be faced, defeated and destroyed. Then he could get on with his life.
    He drew a slow breath and levered himself to his feet, ignoring another