page53 (1/2)

He shook his head and frowned ‘It’s a long story A guy called Claudio Calvaneo My father’s business partner

His fingers clasped the glass tightly and he looked up at her, and it was such a penetrating look that she was held there, transfixed in his gaze

‘I’ to need your help, Ruby’

‘To do what? This is way out of ue’

He shook his head ‘The loves I’ve already had a firstwell, there will be evenmonths’

She scanned his eyes as her brain raced to keep up with hiain

‘Arturo’s already seen you with me—thanks to Claudio’s snant the whole thing could come down like a house of cards unless we have our story sorted’

‘You need to spell this out for ’

‘He needs to seeto entrust his company to me—someone who’s sober and sincere about life and nant and then doesn’t do the right thing His bank means as much to him as Casa di Rossini does to us More It’s the child he never had’

The restaurant was now completely silent Everyone had retired to other rooh the space with a tray of glasses Matteo’s eyes tracked hi her with his stare

‘I want hi I want hi a life together’

‘By “building a life” you mean?’

‘Totally coe’

‘Marriage?’ she blurted, and half-laughed, caught out by shock ‘Marriage—as in?’