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‘Thatwe can be sure of is that Banca Casa di Rossini is a much better bet for Arturo than Calvaneo Capital Even if Claudio decides he wants it, there’s no reason to suppose he can make it happen’

‘At best it’s his sick little way of needling e or buy Either way, there’s nothing I can do about it now’

‘I hope it hasn’t ruined your evening, but I thought you’d want to know—just in case’

Just in case Matteo knehat thatstupid—he’d have given his right ar stupid, to see Claudio sprawled out in front of hi his crimes, to see any kind of justice at all

But it wouldn’t happen that way He knew his physical strength—and his weaknesses He could take Claudio out with one punch But then where would they be? With hily had to accept that it was possible, and had stayed well away for years

But now this? His gut was telling hi face to face in the shon that would decide the fate of Banca Casa di Rossini And Claudio was going to play it out like a boxing oad him

He had to rein it in, bide his time, keep his head clear

‘Thanks, David I appreciate that I’ll sleep on it Let’s catch up tomorrow’

He sat back, hisas it always did whenever Claudio butted his way back into his life But he had to get it into perspective There was nothing he could do until he usto Arturo himself He couldn’t control who the old man had lunch with He could only control himself

‘Is everything all right?’

He looked round Ruby stared at him ide, almond eyes

‘Absolutely, sweetheart’

If there was anything at all that was going to help hih the next twenty-four hours it was this woht to remember

‘Just work Nothing for us to trouble ourselves over’

‘Hmmif you say so’