At the Ruthless Billionaire's Command

‘No bodyguards this evening?’ she taunted. ‘My, aren’t you feeling brave? Facing a five-feet-two-inches-tall woman all on your own!’

Gregorio’s mouth tightened at the jibe. ‘Silvio and Raphael are waiting outside in the car.’

‘Of course they are,’ she scorned. ‘Do you carry a panic button you can press, if necessary, and they’ll come running?’

‘You are being childish, Miss Fairbanks.’

‘No, what I’m being is someone attempting to get rid of an unwanted visitor.’ Her eyes flashed. ‘Now, take your damned foot out of my doorway!’

His jaw tightened. ‘We need to talk, Amelia.’

‘No, we really don’t. And Amelia was my grandmother,’ she dismissed. ‘My name is Lia. Not that I’m giving you permission to use it. Only my friends are allowed that privilege,’ she added with a sneer.

Gregorio knew he was most certainly not one of those. And nor did ‘Lia’ intend for him ever to become one.

It was unfortunate for her that Gregorio felt differently on the subject. He didn’t only want to be Lia’s friend, he had every intention of becoming her lover.

When his parents had died twelve years ago they had left their sons only a rundown vineyard in Spain. As the eldest of the three brothers, Gregorio had made it his priority to rebuild and expand, and now he and his brothers owned a vineyard to be proud of, as well as other busi

nesses worldwide. He had done those things by single-mindedly knowing what he wanted and ensuring that he acquired it.

He had wanted Lia from the moment he’d first set eyes on her. He would not give up until he had her.

He almost smiled—but only almost—at the thought of her reaction if he were to state here and now that that was his intention. No, he knew to keep that to himself. For now.

‘Nevertheless, the two of us need to talk. If you would care to open the door and put some clothes on...?’

‘There are two things wrong with that demand.’

‘It was a request—not a demand.’

She raised auburn brows. ‘Coming from you, it was a demand. I don’t care to open the door, or go and put some clothes on. And nor,’ she continued when he would have spoken, ‘as I’ve already said, do you have anything to say that I want to hear. Because of you my father is dead.’ Tears glistened in those smoky grey eyes. ‘Just leave, Mr de la Cruz, and take your guilty conscience with you.’

Gregorio’s jaw clenched. ‘I do not have a guilty conscience.’

‘Silly me—of course you don’t.’ She eyed him scornfully. ‘Men like you ruin people’s lives every day, so what does it matter if a man had a heart attack and died because of you?’

‘You are being melodramatic.’

‘I’m stating the facts.’

‘Men like me?’ he queried softly.

‘Rich and ruthless tyrants who trample over everyone and everything that gets in your way.’

‘I was not always rich.’

‘But you were always ruthless—still are!’

For the sake of his brothers and his own future, yes, he had become so. Had needed to be in a business world that would have eaten him up and spat him out again if not for that ruthlessness. But ruthless was the last thing he wanted to be where Lia was concerned.

He shook his head. ‘You are not only being overly dramatic, but you are also totally incorrect in your accusations. In regard to your father or anyone else. As you would know if you would allow me to come in and talk to you.’

‘Not going to happen.’ She gave a firm shake of her head.

‘I disagree.’

‘Then be prepared to take the consequences.’