Sweet Revenge: The Martinez Marriage Revenge / The Italian Billionaire's Ruthless Revenge / The Kouros Marriage Revenge. JACQUELINE BAIRD

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      Something he’d never experienced with another woman to the same degree.

      Or in any other area of his life.

      He held a reputation in the business arena for icy calm in any volatile situation. A trait which earned him the respect of his contemporaries.

      With a slow roll of his shoulders he turned away from the plate-glass window and checked his watch.

      It had been a long flight, crossing countries, entering another time zone and the need to adjust to it.

      Stroking several punishing laps in the hotel pool, followed by a session in the gym, would help iron out any kinks and ease the tension.

      With that in mind he keyed a text message to Carlo, then he shed his clothes, donned swimming trunks, shrugged on a complimentary robe, caught up a towel, essentials, and took the lift to the appropriate floor.

      An hour and a half later, showered and dressed in a formal business suit, he walked out into the late-afternoon sunshine, stepped into his chauffeured limousine and instructed the driver to deliver him to a mid-town address.

      The highly qualified Perth-based lawyer engaged by Marcello’s legal team to represent his Australian interests confirmed certain legalities, offered assurances and advice on procedure, and the consultation concluded at the close of the business day.

      On his return to the hotel he shed his jacket and tie, ordered a meal from Room Service, connected his laptop to the internet and engaged a link to his Madrid office.

      Shannay crouched down to Nicki’s eye level and caught her close, whispered “Love you”, and heard her daughter’s “Love you back”, then she rose fluidly to her full height and smoothed a gentle hand over Nicki’s head.

      ‘Have a fun day.’

      Kindergarten was carefully structured, mostly fun and, importantly, Nicki loved spending time with the other children as they moved from play-dough to finger-painting, played games and listened to stories read by one of the carers.

      ‘You, too.’

      Nicki happily moved to her place on the mat and Shannay hid a soft smile as Nicki engaged in animated chatter with one of her friends.

      Time to leave, get into her car and head home. There were phone calls and household chores to complete before returning to collect her daughter.

      A short while later she exchanged fitted jeans and tailored shirt for shorts and a cropped top, then she set to work.

      Dusting, mopping and polishing helped Shannay expend some nervous energy, and she wielded the vacuum cleaner with zealous speed.

      Another five minutes and she’d be done, then she’d hit the shower, dress, make the few calls and head off to Nicki’s kindergarten facility.

      The ring of the in-house phone was barely audible above the sound of the vacuum cleaner, and she shut it down, then she crossed the room and tamped down a strange prickling sense of foreboding … which was crazy.

      For several days she’d been on tenterhooks waiting for Marcello to make his move, agonising when it would happen and what it might entail.

      Oh, for heaven’s sake, she railed in silent self-castigation. It could be anyone buzzing her apartment … so take a deep breath and go check the security-video screen.

      The tight security features employed here were some of the main reasons she’d purchased the apartment.

      Protection and safety were an issue in any large city, and she rested more easily knowing she’d taken every available precaution.

      The insistent ring of the buzzer impelled her to cross the room … and her breath hitched painfully in her throat the moment she recognised the male figure revealed on-screen.

      Marcello Martinez … in person.

      His monochrome image did little to detract from his forceful features … the strong facial bone structure, piercing gaze and well-shaped mouth.

      Shannay felt her stomach muscles clench in unbidden reaction, for it took only one look at him for all the memories to flood back.

      The good ones where his care and passion ignited something wild deep within her soul … and the not-so good when the arguments began to escalate into varying degrees of anger.

      Pick up, why don’t you?

      Delaying the inevitable wouldn’t achieve a thing.

      Her fingers shook a little as she caught hold of the receiver, intoned a brief acknowledgment and saw his features harden.

      ‘Buzz me in, Shannay. We need to talk.’

      She bit back an angry retort. ‘I have nothing to say to you.’

      For a moment his gaze became faintly hooded, and his voice assumed a dangerous silkiness. ‘I intend to see my daughter.’

      ‘You have no proof she’s yours,’ she was goaded into stating.

      His dark eyes seemed to pierce her own via the video link. ‘You want to do this the hard way?’

      ‘We lost the art of polite dialogue a long time ago.’

      Marcello’s expression hardened, and she had the uncanny sensation he could see her … which was, of course, impossible.

      Yet that fact did little to aid reassurance, or prevent the shivery finger of fear feathering the length of her spine.

      It was easy to close down the video screen. Not so easy to cast him out of her mind, and his forceful image refused to subside despite every effort she made to conquer it as she quickly showered, pulled on black dress jeans, added a singlet top, some faux bling, swept her hair into a casual twist and applied minimum make-up.

      Then she caught up her bag, collected keys, locked the apartment and took the lift down to the basement car park. Nervous tension rose up a notch as the doors slid open, and she stepped out and began walking towards her sedan … only to falter fractionally as she caught sight of a tall male figure leaning against the passenger door.

      CHAPTER THREE

      MARCELLO.

      With one hand resting in his trouser pocket, the casual stance portrayed studied indolence … a look she knew to be misleading, for it bore the stamp of a predator awaiting the opportunity to strike.

      For a wild second she considered turning back towards the lift. Except she refused to give him the satisfaction.

      Besides, it was paramount she collect Nicki from kindergarten.

      He wanted a confrontation? She’d darned well give him one!

      Shannay lifted her chin and fixed him with a determined look … which presumably had little or no effect, for his position remained unchanged as she drew close.

      Her СКАЧАТЬ