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'Do coly to Vito

Ashley was cringing with humiliation, unable to look at Vito, her cheeks as scarlet as her sister's Vito would have to draw on every ounce of his well-bred savoir-faire to get through even a briefwith her father She was unnerved by the prospect of the co scene and devastated by the news that her mother had invited them without her father's permission

Beyond the French s, she watched her father’s stocky but broadly built figure powering angrily out to the patio where Arnold was sitting reading a newspaper Her hand touched Vito's, staying him 'I think I'd better do this on my own,' she said tautly

'Good idea,' Susan cut in brightly 'Let et you a drink, Vito'

Ashley crossed the patio Her father was telling Arnold that only wi with hiressive man, Arnold flatly refused to be drawn into disputes with his difficult father-in-law

'Dad' Her voice wavered as she fell still in the sunlight, her shoulders back, her chin raised high Hunt Forrester rose like an angry bull at a gate, his full face set in lines of disbelief 'What the hell are you doing here’ Ashley forced herself forward 'D-don't you think it's time we made peace?'

'You shameless little bitch, how dare you show your face here?' he roared, striding over to grip her by the shoulders 'I told you never to co to this family any more! You never did, you little slut! But you can't leave us alone, can you? You daans-'

'Dad, please…' His fingers were biting like steel pincers into her shrinking flesh With every spitting syllable he was giving her a violent shake to punctuate his fury

'Release enerations of aristocratic cool and disdain

'Stay out of this, Vito!' Ashley cried fearfully

'Or you er man's superbly well-cut suit and silk shirt, his contempt blatant

'Your daughter is pregnant,' Vito delivered icily Ashley was dizzy and sick Soround she could hear herIt was all so horribly familiar but for the first time she realised that she didn't need to be afraid of her father Vito would not allow him to harm her

'So that's how you got hiibed hatefully 'Second time lucky, it seems-'

Pressing her back with one for back on to the lawn Susan screaainst the table, her knees too wobbly to hold her

'If you want a fight,' Vito was snarling, 'pick on someone more your own size!'

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ARNOLD socked a clenched fist into his palm, his normally serious features alive with pleasure 'That was so his head in admiration

'At least you've rowled as he picked hiet out-'

'If they go, I go!' The tremulous threat turned all their heads Sylvia Forrester looked in despair at her younger daughter 'Could I stay with you for a while?' 'What…what the devil's going on here?' Hunt ejaculated incredulously 'Have you gone out of your mind, Sylvie?'

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'I should have done it years ago… didn't have the guts' Sylvia extended a shaking hand to Ashley 'But when I couldn't go to …I realised how terribly weak I'd become I'm so sorry I let him do this to you'

'You're very welcoently

'Now just a minute here-' Ashley's father blustered 'Call me Sylvia,' her mother said shyly 'You're very kind-'

'He bloody hit me!' Hunt thundered in disbelief 'And you deserved it' Tre in spite of Ashley's supportive ar to tell her why you treat her the way you do She has the right to know'