‘Is that such a rare occurrence?’ Lia seemed to recall that Gregorio had laughed quite often when the two of them were together. When they weren’t arguing or making love...
‘I would say unique rather than—’
‘When the two of you have quite finished discussing me as if I am not here...’ Gregorio raised pointed brows as he handed Lia the mug of coffee he had just poured for her.
Oh, Lia was only too aware that Gregorio was there. As she’d said, Sebastien was as dark and handsome as his brother. But he possessed an easy charm that was lacking in Gregorio—although, on closer inspection, the sharp intelligence in Sebastien’s eyes gave the impression that that might be a veneer over a deeper, darker nature. But it was Gregorio she was constantly aware of. Every minute. Every second.
Lia chose to concentrate on drinking her coffee rather than make any reply to Gregorio’s comment. Until the silence in the kitchen became uncomfortable. ‘What were the two of you discussing when I came in?’ Apart from the fact that Gregorio couldn’t wait to move her out of his hotel suite.
‘Your ex-fiancé.’ Sebastien was the one to answer her.
She winced. ‘I would rather not be reminded of that fact.’
‘As would we all,’ Gregorio put in harshly.
Lia gave him a sharp glance, knowing she deserved the admonition in his tone. Thank goodness she was no longer that naïve nincompoop who had fallen for David’s charm. ‘Any news on his whereabouts?’
‘None,’ Gregorio answered grimly. ‘Lia, the police will be coming here to interview you in just under an hour—’
‘The police?’ she echoed sharply.
He nodded. ‘We can and will find Richardson, Lia, but it’s better if the police bring him to justice for the things he has done. As such, I telephoned the police and reported his attack on you last night first thing this morning. The story will be backed up by the broken door and the hospital report on your broken arm.’
She carefully placed her empty coffee mug down on the breakfast bar. ‘You should have consulted me before doing that.’
‘Why?’
‘Why?’
‘Uh-oh—I think I’ll go and take a shower and grab a couple of hours’ sleep, if no one minds.’ Sebastien glanced between the two of them. Lia was glaring at Gregorio and he looked genuinely perplexed by her anger. ‘Obviously no one is even going to notice I’ve gone!’
Lia waited only as long as it took for Sebastien to leave the room before answering Gregorio. ‘You had no right to contact the police without talking to me first.’
‘I had every right.’ A nerve pulsed in his tightly clenched jaw. ‘I should have called them last night, once we reached the hospital, but I decided to wait until today—’
‘It wasn’t your decision to make—’
‘God knows what would have happened to you last night if I hadn’t kicked open the door to your apartment!’
She was well aware of how much she owed Gregorio. ‘But the police, Gregorio...’ She groaned as she sank down onto one of the bar stools.
Gregorio frowned as he saw how pale her cheeks had become. ‘Do you not see that this is the best way to put Richardson in the spotlight of the authorities? The police will want to know the motivation for his attack on you, and I will hand over to the police all the information I have gathered so far in regard to Richardson’s illegal dealings with your father.’
Lia saw Gregorio’s motivation. It had been very cleverly done.
He had taken care of two problems at the same time. He would pass on the information he had concerning Fairbanks Industries to the police and at the same time ensure that this situation ended as quickly as possible. The two of them would then be able to get on with their own respective lives.
Which was what she wanted too.
Wasn’t it?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
LIA LAY HER head back against the sofa in exhaustion after the police had asked all their questions and finally left the hotel. But she wasn’t too tired to remember that she was supposed to be working today. ‘I need to contact Mike Harrington to tell him I won’t be in today.’
Gregorio’s brow rose at hearing Lia call the hotel manager Mike Harrington; he had only ever known the other man by the more formal Michael. ‘I have already spoken to him.’
‘Why am I not surprised?’ Lia muttered.