Page 71 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

‘You couldn’t just use a treadmill? The hotel has a well-equipped gym.’

She nodded. ‘It does and I did. But running on the spot isn’t the same as really moving. Running outdoors or walking helps me clear my mind.’

Gio sat back, surveying this woman with her clear eyes and innocent expression. She was good, even better than he’d thought, admitting she’d been up and about in the hotel when everyone slept. A clever move, providing an alibi in case she was confronted by hotel security. Was she trying out her excuse on him in case his security staff warned him about her?

There’d been times yesterday when he’d been almost convinced she didn’t know his identity. He’d worked hard over the years to keep his image out of the press. Now he was back to assuming she knew exactly who he was.

The question was whether he’d convinced her he was clueless about who she was. After this morning’s revelations he wasn’t content to wait for her to make a move. He needed to accelerate the process, get her to reveal her intentions and turn the tables on her. Make her pay.

‘I should try that next time I can’t sleep. Meanwhile I thought I’d go out and brush the cobwebs away. What do you think, Stella?’ He let his voice slow invitingly on her name and watched her lips part. She might be a spy but she was still a woman, and Gio knew a bit about female weaknesses. ‘Would you like to come out with me again?’

Her response was so eager she didn’t even pause to fiddle with her bangle. Her eyes shone before she looked demurely at her empty cup. ‘I would, Gio. Thank you.’

Don’t thank me, Ms Barbieri. I’m going to see you get the comeuppance you deserve.

Stella planted her hands on the railing and surveyed the view of Rome. ‘You really are remarkable.’

In her peripheral vision she saw Gio turn. ‘Remarkable sounds good. What have I done to deserve that?’

She liked the amusement in his deep voice and how it warmed her, almost like an embrace. Yet she shut down the idea. Gio was different today, sometimes funny and charming and at others almost distant.

He had something on his mind. For him this outing was simply about getting fresh air. It wasn’t the beginning of anything between them.

Stella nodded at the vista before them. The deep cliff drop to ancient ruins below. Beyond that, tall buildings of yellow and ochre, topped with roof gardens. Then a jumble of venerable public buildings, including the Vittoriano and the domes of Roman churches. It was a splendid view yet they had the place to themselves. Most tourists had stayed below in the ancient forum.

‘I don’t know anyone else who’d happily spend their time strolling through historic ruins, even for a view like this.’

‘No one? Not even your family?’

Stella couldn’t contain her laugh. ‘Absolutely not. None of them are interested in history.’ Enzo’s sole entertainments were putting his sports car through its paces or watching car racing. Rocco enjoyed good food and wine and had a taste for gambling. ‘Once I suggested to my father that we visit a famous castle. He said his only interest was in new buildings, ones with all the modern conveniences.’

‘Did he take you there anyway?’

Her amusement faded. ‘He didn’t have time. I should have known better than to ask.’

It had been during her first couple of years in Italy, before she’d learned what her father would or would not countenance. The only points of interest he took them to were his own hotels or those of rivals.

‘Well, I’m glad to win such praise. I confess I’ve never been up here.’

She turned to him. ‘You’re not a history buff?’

‘Not really, though it was fascinating seeing where the emperors lived. They had an eye for prime real estate.’

‘What sort of thingsdointerest you?’

He shrugged. ‘Like you, I enjoy exercise.’ Did she imagine a sharp glint in his eyes as he looked at her? It must have been a trick of the light, for now it had gone. ‘Yachting, waterskiing, snow skiing too. But lately it’s been mainly work.’

They turned their back on the view and began retracing their steps, walking across the pavement towards the path over the hill.

‘What sort of work?’

Stella hadn’t asked before. By unspoken agreement their conversations had avoided business. But it was time to head back to the hotel and this was probably the last time she’d see Gio.

Strange how hollow that made her feel. Strange and ridiculous. She was in Rome to make the single biggest decision of her life, one that would dictate her future. Saying goodbye to a chance-met stranger should be easy.

Yet her short time with Gio had made her more than ever aware of how often she’d accepted second-best in her life. Was that what she wanted for herself? And if she didn’t, what were her alternatives?

‘I invest in property. Careful, it’s uneven here.’