Claiming His Secret Love-Child: The Marciano Love-Child / The Italian Billionaire's Secret Love-Child / The Rich Man's Love-Child

Scarlett let out another sigh. ‘Look, I admit when I saw him at the restaurant tonight with his latest lover I felt physically ill, but that’s because he’s hurt me more than anyone else I know. Even my father’s crappy behaviour is nothing to what Alessandro’s done.’

‘Listen, Scarlett, you were in love with him four years ago,’ Roxanne said. ‘It makes sense that you could fall in love with him again. Believe me, it happens.’

‘Yes, I know,’ Scarlett said. ‘I swore I’d never end up like my mother, falling in love with a man who consistently let her down.’

‘I hardly think Alessandro Marciano is in the same category of scum as your father,’ Roxanne commented wryly. ‘You’ve only seen your father once since you were a young child, and that was when he came to ask you for money. What a creep.’

‘Don’t remind me,’ Scarlett said with a little grimace of distaste.

Roxanne gave her a reassuring smile. ‘You’ll get through this, Scarlett. I know you will. We’re a team, remember?’

‘I know…thanks.’

‘We’ll knock this project over together and then you can get on with your life. Alessandro will be back in Italy before you know it, and you’ll never have to think of him again.’

‘Yes.’ Scarlet began to gnaw at her bottom lip, a frown almost bringing her brows together over her eyes.

‘But you will, won’t you?’ Roxanne said. ‘Think of him, I mean.’

Scarlett released her lip and sighed as she looked at her friend. ‘I’m trying not to, but it’s hard when I have his son as a constant reminder.’

As soon as Scarlett arrived at the studio the next morning Roxanne handed her the telephone, cupping her hand over the mouthpiece to whisper, ‘It’s Alessandro. He wants to speak to you.’

Scarlett took the receiver with an unsteady hand and held it to her ear. ‘Scarlett Fitzpatrick speaking.’

‘That was a very clever trick, Scarlett,’ Alessandro drawled. ‘Dangling the opposition in front of my nose to make me want you all the more.’

She felt her face growing hot, and was glad he couldn’t see it. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now, did you want me for something or is this simply a nuisance call?’

‘I want to see you.’

‘So make an appointment like everyone else does,’ she clipped back.

‘That is exactly what I am doing,’ he said. ‘I want to see you this evening at my house.’

Scarlett’s heart felt as if it had just slammed into a brick wall and bounced off again. ‘Your house? You’ve got a house?’

‘Most people do, do they not?’ he said, his tone sounding faintly mocking.

‘But…but I thought you’d be staying at a hotel, or a serviced apartment or something.’

‘I prefer to have my own space,’ he said. ‘I bought a house before I arrived.’

Scarlett had to peel her dry tongue off the roof of her mouth so she could moisten her lips. ‘So…so how long are you expecting to stay in Sydney?’ she asked.

‘As long as it takes to see to the business I have here.’

‘The Arlington Hotel, you mean?’

‘That and some other loose ends,’ he responded.

Jealousy rose like a bubbling, hot tide of lava inside her. ‘I suppose Velika Vanovic is one of those loose ends?’ she put in churlishly. ‘You’d better be careful, Alessandro, she’s been around the block a few times, or so I’ve heard.’

‘I like a woman who is up front about what she wants,’ he returned.

‘I hate to imply you have little else going for you, but women like Velika Vanovic are after one thing, and one thing only.’

‘Yes, I know,’ he said. ‘Sex, and plenty of it.’

Scarlett clenched her teeth. ‘I meant money.’

‘Velika is at least open about it, unlike you, who went about it by more devious means.’

She gritted her teeth. ‘I did no such thing.’

‘I will expect you here at eight p.m. We will have dinner together to discuss your ideas on the project so far,’ he said as if she hadn’t spoken.

‘I’m not having dinner with you,’ she said with stiff force. ‘I have another commitment.’

‘Cancel it.’

Three beats of silence passed.

‘I don’t usually see clients out of office hours,’ she put in guardedly.

‘I am sure you will not mind making an exception for me, since we are old acquaintances, hmm?’

‘So what we had together has been downgraded to mere acquaintances, has it?’ she asked with bitterness sharpening her tone.

‘Old friends, then.’

‘We were lovers, Alessandro Marciano, and as a result you are the father of my child,’ she said through tight lips. ‘Don’t you dare insult me by referring to me as a mere acquaintance.’

‘Are you suggesting you wish to be elevated to the role of my mistress?’ he asked.

‘Of course not!’ she spluttered in indignation.

‘It can easily be arranged,’ he put in smoothly. ‘In fact, I have been thinking about it since I ran into you last night with your boyfriend. He seems pleasant enough, but I bet he has not been able to make you writhe and scream the way I did.’

‘It’s none of your business what I do or who I do it with.’

‘And yet you responded to me so delightfully when I kissed you. I had only to touch you and you went up in flames.’

Scarlett knew she had no way to defend herself, but it didn’t stop her trying. ‘Lots of ex-lovers temporarily revisit the context of their past relationship. It doesn’t mean anything.’

‘It means you are still attracted to me, in spite of your involvement with another man,’ he said.

‘You’re a fine one to talk,’ she shot back. ‘If you’re so heavily involved with Velika Vanovic what business did you have kissing me?’