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Failure so far on both accounts

She cleared her throat and faced hiness to train me," she said pleasantly, "but I’d feel more comfortable elsewhere"

His lip quirked "Suit yourself But I think your brother has a clear idea of what he wants Why don’t I give you a brief tour while I ring him? I don’t think he expected you until later"

"Fine" She lifted her chin in challenge "Perhaps it’s tie of me"

Carina made sure to lead the way out

• • •

What the hell was going on?

Max trotted obediently after the cool, poised woather his wits This was not the young girl he’d last seen in Italy, as emotional, drarown up He used to get a kick out of her ad e to the demands of others She was a people pleaser, extra sensitive, and a lovely girl he’d always felt quite overprotective about But the woman he’d met this time seemed co up to her older brother shocked him He wondered at the quick stab of disappointed it off Maybe she’d end up being ht

Of course, her body had blooaze away fro her hips in the ancient rhythm created to drive men mad Shorter than her older sisters, she teetered on four-inch heels that showed off the s As he introduced her to various eround floor, he noticed that she’d grown in other ways, also Especially in her cleavage

Heat rushed through him and squeezed The delicate white blouse opened at the neck and revealed a touch of lace Her full breasts strained against theher respectable business suit into a vehicle for a stripper Horrified at the sudden veer of his thoughts, he quickly iot himself back in control

Carina was off-liuardian and second protector Max shook his head and studied her face in an alirl, but usually slapped on so much makeup he couldn’t really see her features Today, scarlet red lips were her only accessory The olive tint to her skin gleaht and tempted a man to touch Those untamed curls had disappeared into a severe topknot that set off heavy brows and high cheekbones Her nose was all Italian, and dominated her face, but the power of those storo She’d never be rail thin, and he wondered why ainst her straight-edged suit was all temptress

Did she have a lover?

Crap, where did that thought coroaned with relief at the sight of Michael down the hallway

Her brother threw his arms out in the ancient family tradition, but Carina didn’t rush into his embrace Instead, she sed hith of their bond shi of loneliness He always craved a sibling to share his life with At least, Michael and his sisters were his adopted faoal ree: success

So don’t screw it up

He nodded to the inner voice and refocused Michael flung his arm around Carina’s shoulder and walked over "I’m so happy you are finally here, mia bella I told ie has been waiting for you"

Carina tilted her head up and grinned "And how is ?"

"Cranky"

"Do you blae in plans I figured I’d grab a tour, set up ave me a brief overview of the layout"

Michael clapped hiood hands Why don’t you take the office next to his? It’s been eet the boxes cleared out today We’ll hold a strategytomorrow on some new developments"

An uncomfortable silence settled around theht of his sister’s stony expression "Yes, it seeround rules first Can we meet in your office?"

Max nodded "I’ll leave you two and catch up tonight"

"No, Max I’d like you to join us," Carina said