The Di Sione Secret Baby (The Billionaire's Legacy 2)

Her assistant tried to hide her surprise, and failed. ‘I... Yes, of course. Should I cancel the press junkets too?’

Allegra glanced at him, a thousand questions in her eyes. Rahim stared back, biting down the uncivilised growl that threatened to erupt from him. He’d never been possessive about any of the women who’d passed through his life. And yet, the thought of sharing Allegra with anyone sent a pulse of deep displeasure through him. Adding caveman to the list of unpleasant characteristics he’d had to acknowledge since meeting Allegra Di Sione made his teeth clench.

She caught the look, and quickly nodded at Zara. ‘Yes, reschedule those for tomorrow.’

Rahim barely saw the assistant melting away. He saw nothing and no one except Allegra. When she turned to leave the conference room, he followed.

Her stylish navy dress and matching jacket clung to her body as she walked beside him. Rahim watched her smile in acknowledgement at several people, her movements displaying a regal grace that would make his kingmakers proud.

From nowhere, he wondered what his mother would’ve thought of her. Would the queen who’d lived most of her life as a fairy tale have taken to Allegra? Or would she have feared for her son and the near-obsessive emotions bubbling through him right now?

Slashing through the fog of futile musings, he crossed the grand foyer of the five-star hotel and inserted the keycard for his private lift.

‘Um...where are we going?’ Allegra asked.

He tried his best to ignore the wariness in her voice. ‘To my penthouse. It’s the only place we’ll be guaranteed complete privacy.’

‘There are offices reserved down here for the conference. I’m sure we can find one that isn’t occupied.’

He faced her as the lift doors opened. ‘Why, Allegra, are you suddenly afraid to be alone with me? Do you fear for your reputation, perhaps?’ he mocked.

The firm shake of her head belied the racing pulse at her throat. ‘No, I merely thought it would be expedient. You seem in a hurry.’

‘Oh, I am in a great hurry. I cannot wait a moment longer to find out how you thought you’d get away with stealing from me when you knew there was nowhere you could hide that I wouldn’t find you.’

She inhaled sharply and glanced over her shoulder. Only his bodyguards were within eavesdropping distance. With a wave of his hand, Rahim dismissed them. And then did what he’d been dying to do since he walked into the conference room two hours ago. He reached out and grasped Allegra’s wrist. She resisted for a tiny second before joining him in the lift.

Passing the keycard over the LED monitor, he watched her swallow as the doors sealed them in. Silence surged along with the lift. Sliding his hand up her arm and over her shoulder, he caught a finger under her chin. ‘Look at me, Allegra.’

Stunning blue eyes met his.

‘I asked you a question. Answer me.’

Her mouth worked for a moment before she answered. ‘I tried to pay you for what I took. I sent you five cheques. They were all returned, ripped in pieces.’

Rahim allowed himself a tiny, mirthless smile. ‘Not only did you grossly insult me by stealing from me, you then presumed to know the value of my possession?’

She shook her head. ‘I didn’t just pluck a number out of thin air. I...I had the box appraised. Discreetly, of course,’ she added, then flushed when he laughed.

‘Of course. How very thoughtful of you.’

A pained expression crossed her face, then the apprehension he was beginning to detest gripped her features once more. ‘I know there’s no excuse for what I did...’

‘None whatsoever,’ he agreed. Drawing his finger over her smooth jaw, he revelled for a stolen second in the silky warmth of her skin.

‘I made a promise to my grandfather, Rahim. One I couldn’t break.’

He stiffened. ‘And did the great Giovanni Di Sione condone the theft?’

She gasped. ‘Of course he didn’t! He never would.’

‘So you not only perp

etrated a crime against me, you risked bringing dishonour to your family in the process?’

Pain twisted her features. ‘I’m sorry it happened, Rahim. Truly, I am. But when, right from the start, my visit went badly, I had very little choice but to...’

‘Seduce me with the enchanting delights of your sexy body, then steal away like a thief in the night?’ The harsh reminder roughened his voice.