‘Of course I am,’ Silvio said, his tone neutral. ‘A music career has always been her dream.’ And he had plans to arrange it for her—plans of his own.
He watched as Jessie listened attentively to what Brad had to say.
He thought of what they’d shared over the past week—
The fact that she’d given herself to him and no other man.
The breath hissed through his teeth as he watched Brad hand her a business card.
She wouldn’t go with him, would she? This man she didn’t know—this stranger who was probably offering her the world…
Any moment now she was going to turn and look at him. Then she’d walk across to him with that excited look in her eyes and tell him about it—ask his advice—
Angelica sighed. ‘You’re lousy company, Silvio. If I didn’t know you so well, I’d be offended.’
‘Mi dispiace. I’m sorry.’ Silvio tore his gaze from Jessie and looked at the beautiful woman by his side, barely seeing her. ‘What did you say?’
‘Nothing important.’ Angelica gave him a meaningful look. ‘If you feel like that about her, why haven’t you already got your ring on her finger? You’re not usually slow to grab what you want.’
‘It isn’t about what I want.’
Anglelica’s eyes widened. ‘Then you really have finally fallen in love,’ she drawled, ‘because up until now it’s only ever been about what you want.’
Love?
Was this how love felt?
Frozen with shock, Silvio didn’t respond. Instead, he turned his head to look at Jessie again, only to find that she’d gone.
He scanned the crowd, trying to spot her.
But there was no sign of her.
Angelica sighed. ‘I feel invisible. Go after her, Silvio,’ she said wearily. ‘What are you waiting for?’
What was he waiting for?
A stranger to doubt and prevarication, Silvio was asking himself the same question.
He was well aware that he’d given Jessie a taste of a lifestyle beyond her wildest dreams. He was also aware that he hadn’t given her a choice in any of it. He’d dragged her away from the alleyway, he’d refused to let her return to her flat, he’d bought her a new wardrobe—a new life…
And he’d made love to her.
When she had been feeling at her most insecure and vulnerable, he’d introduced her to a whole new world of intimacy.
Acutely aware that his behaviour had fallen far short of perfect, Silvio ran his hand over the back of his neck and swore in Italian.
‘I speak Italian,’ Angelica said, her eyes amused. ‘Just go after her, Silvio!’
‘I’m not going after her,’ he said harshly, letting his hand drop to his side. Jessie felt obligated to him, didn’t she? She was always thanking him, clearly embarrassed that he’d given her so much even though it meant nothing to him in financial terms. He knew how proud she was. If she hadn’t been desperate, she never would have come with him. ‘If she wants to stay, that has to be her decision and her decision alone.’
But would she?
He’d given her the opportunity he’d promised her. And suddenly Silvio realised that he’d done more than show her a new life.
He’d made it possible for her to leave him.
Chapter Nine