Page 38 of Storm in a D Cup

‘What?’

Me and my big mouth. ‘I mean, in the same hotel.’

‘Of course not. She went home.’

‘Did you find out in the end what it was that she needed you for? The problem thatonly you could solve?’

‘Uh, kind of. I’ll tell you about it when I get back.’

‘Tell me now.’

I heard Julian call, ‘It’s open,’ and then Terry Peterson’s loud booming voice, ‘Hey, Fox, you ready to hit the town?’

‘Ah,’ I said, resenting the man from even this far. ‘OK, Julian, have a good time.’

‘I’m meeting that producer for dinner,’ he said softly. Apologetically, almost.

‘Great!’ I said. ‘Good luck, then.’

‘Love you, sweetheart.’

‘Me, too! Bye!’ I chimed and hung up before he could answer. Not that I cared about Terry Peterson constantly being on the prowl – that was his business. I trusted Julian. But how the hell was I going to get to sleep wondering why Genie Stacie had elected Julian as her only savior? And why was he the only one who could help her?

I pretty much trudged through the next few days without him, preparing meals, directing Caterina and Rosina, my precious housekeepers, with our changeover days and guests and meeting up with Renata for lunch.

‘Where’s that husband of yours gone, to the States again?’ she asked over ourpasta alla carbonara.

‘Uh-huh.’

‘With that flaky blonde?’

‘Renata, please don’t rub it in. I’m pissed off enough as it is.’

‘Shut up. Tell me all!’

So I did. Marco was away on business too, only without the blonde. My kids played with Renata’s younger ones as we enjoyed a bottle ofvino rossoand each other’s company. Warren was fake-wrestling with Graziano, Renata’s boy, while Maddy had momentarily shed her princess aura and was braiding little Chiara’s long black hair.

‘What else is wrong?’ she asked.

‘You should see the way even Maddy was on my case,’ I whispered. ‘I think she likes Genie Stacie more than she likes me.’

Renata took a huge swig of her wine and I followed, enjoying the taste of our hard work in the vineyards. It had taken years to get it right. Just like my relationship with men. And myself. And Maddy.

‘Silly. You are the most likeable mom there is. And besides, Maddy doesn’t count – she’s a teenager, an unreliable species.’

I grinned at her and nodded. ‘See, Renata? That’s why I love you so much. You always take the drama out of everything.’

She took my hand and smiled. ‘You will be fine. Your family is safe. Don’t let a paper doll scare you.’

We drank to that and turned our heads over a loud rumble, then a roar followed by a loud honking as a red Ferrari materialized as the dust settled. Renata paled and said, ‘Wait here.’

Warren and Maddy looked up and followed me following Renata to the gate. There, in flesh and blood, stood Leonardo Cortini, otherwise known asLeonardo il Bastardo.

What thehellwas he doing here?

Leonardo closed the car door and strode up to Renata, his face so close to hers, the chicken-wire gate being the only thing between them. He stepped back when we all appeared in his line of vision.

What was all this about? And why was Renata suddenly so pale? My memory went back to the afternoon I’d crossed paths with Leonardo on the road between Renata’s property and our own. Come to think of it, I’d seen his car several times, but had thought nothing of it as Renata’s farmhouse was on a crossways, so he w