Italian Escape with the CEO

‘Brilliant.’

‘So how about I pick you up at four?’

‘Sounds good.’ Liam disconnected, aware of a sense of bitter curiosity about the woman he was soon to meet. Karen Casseveti, formerly Lady Karen Hales. The woman who had taken James Casseveti from his first family and thrown her wealth and position behind him, enabled him to set up Dolci, start the Casseveti fairy tale that had picked up pace in direct proportion to the Rourke family decline.

Liam tamped the feelings down. It was the past, over and done with, and he’d decided to put it aside. Yet by the time he climbed into the passenger seat of Ava’s car he was aware of an edginess.

One matched by Ava. As ever she looked incredible, her blonde hair styled in a chic knot on the top of her head, the long-sleeved grey floral dress elegant with a hint of pizzazz. Yet he could see the slight strain in the set of her lips and the tension in her shoulders, though her smile was as flawless as ever as she greeted him.

‘All set?’ she asked.

‘Yes. I’m a little curious and a little wary but I’m good.’ He glanced at her. ‘You OK?’

‘Of course.’

He raised his eyebrows and she gave a small rueful nod of acknowledgment. ‘OK. I’m a little wary too. I told you that my mum and I aren’t seeing eye to eye at the moment and I’m not really sure how she is going to be.’

Half an hour later they pulled up outside a huge Surrey mansion. The gates opened with majestic splendour and Ava drove her small white electric car onto the expansive gravelled drive.

‘It’s a family house. My mother inherited it,’ Ava explained. ‘After Dad died Mum moved here. It’s usually looked after by a housekeeper who’s been with her since Mum was a child.’

The door was pulled open by a stately looking woman, dressed in severe black, her grey hair pulled back in a bun. She bestowed a tight smile on Ava and graced Liam with a small nod.

‘Hello, Ellie.’ Ava’s smile was wide, but he was sure it was strained. ‘How are you?’

‘I’m fine, thank you.’ Ellie’s smile was cold. ‘But it’s not me you should be worried about. It’s your mother.’ She pulled the door wider. ‘Follow me.’

Once along a spacious corridor, with panelled walls and antique furniture, they entered a vast drawing room that imposed its plush richness. Velvet ruled and there was an indescribable air of wealth and heritage in the Georgian-style furniture and the heavy gold brocade curtains.

‘Ava.’ A woman stepped forward, a woman who shared Ava’s blonde hair, though her colour was discreetly and elegantly aided and cut in a sleek bob. Her make-up was perfect, her figure svelte and stylish, though Liam could see the ravages of grief in the dark circles that couldn’t be completely concealed. ‘And you must be Liam.’ The smile was a blend of welcome and appraisal with a hint of condescension, the blue eyes hooded as she rested her gaze on him.

‘Mrs Casseveti. It’s a pleasure to meet you.’

‘Please, call me Karen. Then sit down and we can discuss the best way forward. Ava told me how you are hoping to use your fake relationship to help save your company and help spin Ava some positive publicity too. I’d like to help.’

‘That’s great, Mum,’ Ava said.

‘Yes. And in return perhaps you will feel more inclined to get rid of the usurpers.’ The venom in the last word made him flinch.

‘We’ve been through this.’ Ava’s voice was firm, but he saw her nails clench into her palms, knew how hard this was for her. ‘For a start, the will would be very difficult to overturn and would wipe us out in legal bills.’

‘I have said I’ll foot the cost.’

‘Second, this is what Dad wanted. Luca and Jodi are his children.’

‘Luca and Jodi Petrovelli are nothing. They didn’t even keep your father’s name. They do not deserve to even step into Dolci headquarters.’

‘Perhaps. But they have the right to do so. I think we should make the best of it.’

‘How can you be so disloyal? Your father made a mistake and I will not let the Petrovellis get their grubby hands on James’s company.’ Karen turned to Liam. ‘You are an excellent businessman—you’ve come from nowhere and achieved a lot. I assume you must have a ruthless streak, a business sense. Show Ava the best way forward. The right way.’

Liam read the signs all too well; the same look had dulled his father’s eyes with obsession. Quickly he stepped closer to Ava, hoped his body warmth could somehow shield her. ‘I will support any decision Ava makes.’

Karen exhaled a long sigh; her eyes glittered with ice. ‘Ava, show some family loyalty and together we will take that woman’s children down.’

‘I won’t do that, Mum. I won’t overturn Dad’s wishes. Please, let’s work together to try and make the best of this, do what is best for Dolci.’

Karen shook her head, emitted a sigh that gusted disappointment and anger.