The Italian Affair Read Online Free PDF

face. ‘Anthony is Maria’s husband now and is part of this family, whether you like it or not. And when you start taking some responsibility for yourself, you can also make decisions around here.’
    Gina’s blood started to heat. ‘What? For God’s sake, I’m thirty years old. I can take care of myself. I don’t need you to make decisions for me just because I made one big mistake in the past.’ She whirled around to face Anthony. ‘And why have you employed Rick Caruso?’
    ‘It was your grandfather’s decision,’ Anthony informed her. ‘Didn’t Rick tell you?’
    Gina snorted, putting her hands on her hips. ‘Huh. Don’t lie. I know you were behind it, even if it is Nonno paying him.’
    What really annoyed her was the way Anthony always treated her as if she was a teenager who didn’t know her own mind. He had an arrogant attitude towards women bordering on the old-fashioned. Maria might have been willing to accept it, but that didn’t mean to say she had to.
    ‘OK, so I suggested it,’ he admitted. He gave a shrug. ‘So what?’
    She turned to her grandfather. ‘Nonno … please.’
    Luigi’s gaze softened as he looked at her. ‘Anthony is right. We don’t know why Maria was shot and, until we do, I’m not taking any chances.’ He waved his hand in the air. ‘Rick Caruso is a man to be trusted and we could do with his help just now.’
    ‘I’m sure anyone would help if you paid them enough,’ she saidhotly. As soon as she realized what she had said, Gina regretted it. She didn’t mean to hurt her grandfather by her refusal but couldn’t he understand she wanted to manage her own life?
    Luigi’s face turned thunderous as he thumped the table. The cutlery rattled and a glass toppled over, spilling fresh orange juice all over the pure white linen tablecloth. ‘That’s enough, Gina. I won’t have that kind of talk here. Caruso comes from a fine Sicilian family. His parents have been in New Zealand as long as our family – over fifty years.’ His thick eyebrows knitted together angrily.
    Gina took a deep breath, not wanting to upset her grandfather any further but feeling she had to make a stand.
    ‘It doesn’t mean because Maria has been shot that someone wants to shoot me as well.’
    No one spoke. An odd silence filled the conservatory. Her gaze travelled from one face to another. She added slowly, ‘Well, does it?’
    ‘You’ll do what you’re told, Gina,’ her grandfather said. ‘And I don’t want any arguments. Not with Maria lying in hospital at death’s door.’
    She exhaled. ‘Please, Nonno, I can look after myself.’
    Anthony reached over and put his hand on her arm. ‘Gina, you make a fuss about nothing. Listen to your nonno . He knows what he is doing.’
    ‘I am listening. I don’t want Rick Caruso following me around. So please … get him to back off.’
    ‘He’s to be trusted and he’ll be discreet,’ Anthony replied, as if he was speaking to a child. ‘We’re only doing what we think is best. Don’t make things difficult.’
    ‘Since when have you decided what’s best for me? I don’t care whether he’s discreet or not, I’m not having it and that’s final.’ Her mouth tightened rebelliously.
    A cough behind her had her whirling around. Rick was standing right behind her and it was obvious he had heard everything she had said. He smiled but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
    ‘Mr Rosselini, may I have a word with your granddaughter inprivate?’ he asked politely. A tiny nerve beat in his temple.
    ‘Sí , of course,’ he said, his eyes full of speculation.
    Before she realized it, Caruso had grabbed her arm, and firmly marched her into the hallway.
    ‘Let’s get one thing straight, shall we?’ He towered above her, his hands curving around her shoulders. ‘You …’ he paused, ‘have a family who is very worried. Your sister is lying in hospital and all you can do is stir everyone up about what you want and don’t want.’
    She