Italian Escape with the CEO

‘You said you wanted to talk,’ Bea said. ‘John’s still at work.’

‘That’s fine. I... I just wanted some advice, I guess.’ The idea was strange.

‘About Ava?’

‘Yes. How did you know?’

‘I saw Ava a couple of days ago.’

‘For drinks with Anna Lise. How was it?’

‘It was fun. It was lovely of Ava to organise it. But Ava and I stayed and had a last drink and I got the feeling something isn’t quite right between you. She said you’re thinking of having a break.’

‘Yes.’ That was the story they’d agreed on, a kind of phased break-up. Pain jabbed at him and he tried to remind himself that you couldn’t break up something that had never existed in the first place. ‘But I don’t want a break.’

‘Then tell her.’

‘It’s not that easy.’

‘Why not?’

‘I’m scared.’ The admission was terrifying in itself. ‘I’ve always messed up relationships. I don’t know how to do it.’

‘So you’re just going to give up? Throw away a chance for true happiness?’

‘Like you did for me?’

‘I am happy, Liam.’

‘You are now. But you weren’t—you spent years trapped in an unhappy marriage. Wasted years. Because of me.’ Just like Jess had wasted her precious years. With him.

‘No.’ Pain touched Bea’s eyes. ‘That is not how it was, Liam. I stayed because I wanted to, because it was the right thing to do. For you and for me. Terry was your dad. He loved you. In the end I couldn’t take you away from him. That was my choice and I’ve never regretted it. I loved you. I still love you. You were my priority and I do not regret that choice. If what happened then, between your dad and me, between you and me, is affecting your decisions now, then please don’t let it. I know your marriage to Jess was both complex and tragic. But don’t let that stop you now. Don’t let what happened in the past take away from you and Ava.’

‘There is no me and Ava. There can’t be. I can’t take the risk I’ll mess it up again. It’s not fair to her.’

‘It doesn’t work like that. Don’t you think Ava deserves to make that choice for herself? Make her own risk assessment? Don’t take that away from her.’

After all, wasn’t that what he’d done to Jess? Not told the truth. Not given her a choice. Made assumptions.

‘Think about it,’ she said. ‘Please.’

‘I will.’ Without hesitation he rose, could almost see the air clear between them as he moved over to her and hugged her. ‘And thank you.’

* * *

Ava looked round, wondered if she’d lost her mind, imagined the wrath of her mother, the wrath of her lawyers if they knew her current whereabouts. She slouched down, pulled the brim of the designer sunhat a little further down and cast a furtive glance at the Italian offices, the headquarters of Luca Petrovelli’s business.

Diligent research had uncovered an interview where he’d said he sometimes liked to eat his lunch in a nearby park—so here she was staking out the premises for the second day in a row. It at least gave her something to focus on apart from Liam, provided a small distraction from the pain that weighted her cracked heart.

She looked at the revolving door one more time and blinked in disbelief. There was Luca—in truth, she’d not really anticipated success. So now what?

Better to trail him to the park or he might simply turn and retreat back into his fortress or, worse, call security on her. Trying not to look furtive, she followed her half-brother until he seated himself on a bench. Her insides clenched with trepidation and swiftly she headed towards him and sat down. Cast a sideways glance at him. Dark hair presumably inherited from his mother. Grey eyes, ditto. But his nose was their dad’s, and his lips, and she could see something of herself in him, something elusive that she couldn’t quite place. Something that made them kin.

Now she was staring and Luca turned.

‘Luca?’ Ava heard the smallness of her voice.

‘If you are a reporter I have noth—’ He broke off as grey eyes met amber. He paled under the olive skin, and she felt the shock of recognition. ‘Ava?’