A vice squeezed in her chest. ‘You’d do that? To your own daughter?’
‘The daughter you were six weeks ago wouldn’t have made these ridiculous demands. I’m not sure what happened after the charity gala—’
‘Don’t plead innocence, Papà. I found out that you’d tried to bribe Draco’s fiancée into leaving him so you could marry me off to him! Do you know how it made me feel to hear that from Maria?’ she rasped.
‘I was only acting in your best interests. You were infatuated with him once. It seemed the sensible option to secure your future with his.’
She curled her fingers into fists, and winced when her broken wrist protested. ‘This isn’t the Middle Ages! My future is mine and mine alone to secure as I please.’
His lips pursed. ‘That’s where you’re wrong. If you think I’m going to stand by and—’
‘I think it’s time for you to leave your daughter to rest, Olivio,’ Javier intoned from the entrance to the hallway.
Carla started. It was a testament to his predatory stealth that neither she nor her father had heard him return to the living room. Studying his face, she tried to gauge how much he’d overheard. A flick of his gaze to hers told her he’d heard and understood enough.
And had once again acted as judge, jury and executioner.
Fed up to the back teeth of being embroiled in manipulative parents and male egos, she glared at him. ‘Please stay out of this.’
Javier ignored her, his laser gaze on her father. ‘I’ll let you be the judge of whether you think this is the right time to be airing your...questionable family laundry.’
The statement was aimed at the heart of Olivio’s pride. And he responded predictably. ‘Sì, you’re right. This isn’t the time or place. I will join you in New York, cara, when you’re better recovered.’
The pecks on her cheeks were cold and emotionless, and she wondered why he’d even bothered. Yes, of course. Appearances.
She stood frozen as he shook hands with Javier, and left.
Slowly, Javier sauntered to where she stood.
‘Do you intend to stand there all day?’ he mocked.
‘I intend to do my very best to avoid being in the same room with you as much as possible,’ she snapped.
His nostrils flared. ‘Watch it, Principessa. There are only so many insults I’m prepared to take until something gives.’
Carla forced herself to exhale calmly. ‘You feel the same way, Javier. Don’t pretend otherwise.’
‘Don’t presume to know what I’m feeling.’
‘Fine. Whatever. Please tell me where my suitcases have been taken. I’d like to get changed.’
He regarded her for several tense seconds, then turned away. She followed him down the hallway till they reached two sets of double doors. Javier swung open the right set and walked into the room.
As with every inch of the penthouse, the suite was decorated from top to bottom with classic luxury that drew the eye to the blend of contemporary and antique pieces around the room. The ceiling had retained its lofty rococo design and rich parted drapes offered early evening views of Rome and the Vatican in the far distance.
But it was the bed that drew her eye. It was queen-sized and mounted on a double dais; the silk coverlet alone made her want to lie down and let its decadent luxury relax all her troubles away. Or was it something else entirely that drew her attention to that particular piece of furniture?
Heat rushed through her as she remembered another time. Another bed. An uninhibited period in time that had haunted her ever since.
‘If you need anything, there’s an intercom next to the bed that summons the butler.’
His tone was gravel rough enough to pry her attention from her dangerous memories. Her eyes met his, and, far from the cool regard of moments ago, his gaze contained a banked fire that stopped her breath.
‘Okay...thank you.’
He jerked out a nod. Expecting him to leave, she waited. And felt a renewed surge of heat when his eyes conducted a slow, thorough appraisal of her. She wanted to tell him to stop, to truly leave her be. But the words stuck in her throat as the sinful attraction she couldn’t seem to suppress around him engulfed her once more.
A rough sound ripped through the room. It could