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But so tely white teeth Luciano didn’t cohly off-balanced by that sudden lurch towards violence He had felt it before, of course he had, with his very genes drenched in the violence and corruption of his forebears But never ever had he had that experience where a woht He would have her in his bed for only one night, he assured hirimly

In any case, he reflected thoughtfully, it was not as though he could be at any real risk with Jemima, because Luciano didn’t do emotional connections with anyone His son would be the sole exception to that rule Loving and caring for a child was pure and it wouldn’t dae him or anybody else

‘I think it’s the best solution for everybody,’ Ellie declared bravely while Je mother and her deeply troubled father as the four of thes of tea

Je hidden so much from her adoptive parents and she still did not feel up to the challenge of telling them the truth They would have been horrified if they knew that she was pretending to be her dead sister and faking being Nicky’s ument she could make would persuade them that such dishonesty was justified In any case her parents were already dealing with quite enough The older couple had returned frohter and Nicky would be leaving the next day for a trip to Sicily, follohich Je home alone Unfortunately Julie’s son had becorandchild They too had been part of Nicky’s life almost from birth

‘Nicky is Luciano’s son and the poor guy’s been searching for hi hard to support her friend’s arguments in favour of the trip to Sicily and the inevitable surrendering of Nicky to his sole surviving parent

‘I believe he’ll be a good father He’s only askingbecause he knows Nicky’s attached to me and he doesn’t want hi from his life,’ Jemima explained afresh

‘Mr Vitale is being responsible,’ her father conceded thoughtfully ‘Although I could never condone the agreement he made with Julie That was rash and she was the worst possible candidate he could’ve chosen—’

‘Yes, but don’t forget it wasn’t Julie he really picked He believed he was picking Jemima’ Ellie was quick to reate using her twin’s identity rather than her own

‘True and you’ve certainly stood by the little chap, giving hihter arm approval ‘I suppose we’ll sirandchild to fuss over, my dear,’ he said to his wife

Jemima paled beneath that look of approbation She knew just how shocked her parents would be if they ever learned about the deceit she had es with Luciano

That saue in tow He read through the confidentiality agreement with Jemima and explained every clause while his companion informed Jemima that he was there on her behalf to protect her interests He spoke up on several occasions, pointing out that a lot ofstories to theto abide by Luciano’s rules would be financially rewarded by a bonus once she had finished working for hirateful when the lawyers left

Later that sa while Jemima patiently stood and obediently posed while all her measureed female tailor and her assistant who had also called at Luciano’s request

‘So, he’s planning for you to wear a nanny uniforly after the women had departed

Jemima pulled a face ‘Obviously,’ she pointed out ruefully, far fro dressed in some starchy formal outfit in the Sicilian heat

‘I suppose it’s one good way of ensuring that you don’t forget that you’re one of the workers rather than a guest INicky’s mother,’ her friend opined with a wince ‘When are you planning to tell Luciano that you’re Julie’s sister?’

Je Sicily, which will be the end of August at the latest because terain,’ she re my true identity any sooner than that because Luciano could just askto matter to him’