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‘So, why has your father sent you that file?’

‘He’s trying to get , “Lionos reclamation project”,’ Cesare said very drily, the slant of his wide, sensualquotations marks in the air

‘He actually thinks he has a chance of persuading you to consider e with one of those tomen?’ Jonathan slowly shook his head for neither female appeared to be a show-stopper and Cesare enjoyed the reputation of being a connoisseur of the female sex ‘Is he crazy?’

‘Always an optihed ‘In the same way he never listens when I tell hiet married’

‘As a happilyout’

Cesare resisted a rude urge to roll his eyes in es did exist His father had one, after all, and evidently Jonathan did too But Cesare had no faith in true love and happy-ever-after stories, particularly not when his own first love had ditched him to waltz down the aisle with an extre seventy-five years young Serafina had dutifully proclaiates and was now a very rich ho had been chasing Cesare in the hope of a rematch ever since

Cesare’s recollections were tinged with supreain It had been a boy’s norant about the nature of the female sex He had never yet lavished his wealth on a wo else he offered A satisfied smile softened the hard line of his wide, expressive eous French fashion ths to please hi co or noisy kids attached What was not to like? It was true that he was an extreenerous lover but as money for but enjoyment when you had as much as Cesare now had?

Cesare was less amused and indeed he tensed when he strolled into his city penthouse that evening to receive the news from his manservant, Primo, that his father had arrived for an unexpected visit

Goffredo was out on the roof terrace ad the panoramic view of London when Cesare joined him

‘To what do I owe the honour?’ he mocked

His father, always an extrovert in the affection stakes, clasped his son in a hug as if he hadn’t seen the younger man in months rather than randmother’

Cesare’s s?’

Goffredo grimaced ‘Athene needs a coronary bypass Hopefully it will relieve her angina’

Cesare had stilled, a frown line etched between his level ebony brows ‘She’s seventy-five’

‘The prognosis for her recovery is excellent,’ his father told hily ‘Unfortunately the real problem is ery She thinks she’s had her three score years and ten and should be grateful for it’

‘That’s ridiculous If necessary, I’ll go and talk some sense into her,’ Cesare said impatiently

‘She needs so to look forward tosome motivation to ery will be hile’

Cesare released his breath in a slow hiss ‘I hope you’re not talking about Lionos That’s nothing but a pipe dream’