Veretti’s Dark Vengeance Read Online Free PDF Page B

tonight.’
‘You?’ he said slowly. ‘Did I invite-you?’
‘You invited Signora Helena Veretti,’ she said, ‘and I am she. I hope I don’t come as a disappointment.’
His eyes narrowed.
‘Not a disappointment, signora. A surprise perhaps.’
‘You mean a shock, don’t you?’
‘Perhaps I do,’ he said slowly.
‘Ah, that little trick I played on you this afternoon. Was it very bad of me? Are you angry?’
‘Of course not. I hope I can appreciate a joke as well as the next man.’
He was lying, Helena knew. His smiling civility was for the boatman’s benefit. Beneath it he was furious at being wrong-footed.
Good!
He paid the gondolier, who seemed pleasantly surprised by the amount, and made himself scarce.
Offering her his arm, Salvatore led her into the brightly lit downstairs hall, with its sweeping staircase. Only then did he look at her closely enough to see what she was wearing around her neck. He drew a sharp breath as he saw the glass heart, so like the one he’d given her that afternoon, but deep red.
‘A gift from my husband,’ she said, touching it.
‘I congratulate you, signora, a very clever performance. No wonder you wouldn’t tell me your name.’
‘It would have been a pity to spoil a good joke.’
‘It would indeed. But let us leave that matter for later. I’ve brought you here to enjoy the very best meal of your life.’
You’ve brought me here to crush me, she thought, amused. Now you need a delay to regroup your forces.
He led her into a large room, ornately furnished with items that seemed several hundred years old. In her first confused impression she could only tell that everything here was costly.
Antonio had told her the history of the palazzo, which had once belonged to a noble family called Cellini.
‘But they spent all their money about a hundred years ago. Then along came the upstart Verettis, with no title but plenty of money, and bought them out at a rock-bottom price-which is how they always prefer to buy. Remember that when you’re negotiating with Salvatore.’
Oh, yes, she thought. I’ll remember.
Salvatore showed her to a sofa and turned to the drinks table.
‘I think I can offer you something a little better than this afternoon,’ he said.
‘But this afternoon you were only a surrogate host for the real owner,’ she reminded him gaily.
‘How true,’ he said, refusing to rise to the bait. ‘I suppose I owe you an apology.’
‘Don’t apologise. I’ve never been so entertained in my life.’
She saw a flash of real anger in his glance, suppressed so quickly that anyone less alive to his reactions might have missed it. It was dangerous to taunt him, but that only made it all the more exciting.
The wine was excellent, almost a statement of superiority in itself. She sipped it slowly for a brief moment, then set it down.
‘A little more?’ he asked.
‘No, thank you. I’m keeping my wits about me tonight.’
‘In that case, why don’t we eat?’
He led her to a table by a tall window that opened onto a balcony looking down onto the Grand Canal, and politely held out a seat for her.
At first the Venetian cuisine held her silent, being too delicious to interrupt. But at last she glanced up, smiling, to say,
‘This really is the best food of my life, just as you said.’
‘Signora-’
‘Why don’t you just call me Helena? Surely we’re already beyond the need for formalities?’
‘I agree. Helena-’
‘I expect we’re ready to get down to business now. We’ve both had time to get our thoughts in order.’
‘Ah, business. You’re right. Name the price.’
She stared.
‘Did I hear right? You dare say that to me-after everything I heard you say today?’
‘You tricked me.’
‘Just as well, or I wouldn’t have known what you were really thinking.’
‘You were enjoying yourself, weren’t you?’ he accused.
‘Well, can you blame me? You were so certain you could make me dance to your tune that you were an irresistible target.’
He made a