meaningfully. “I
found it a little strange and followed them to a room down the hall.” Nothing
strange about a client wanting to talk with his lawyer in private, but I didn’t
argue with Sylvie. She wasn’t usually one to notice any sort of activity that didn’t concern
her so, naturally , my suspicion was roused .
“What did they talk about?” I asked.
Sylvie inched closer and peered over her
shoulder as though to make sure no one was listening. “The old man asked Clarkson
to make sure no one knows you’re here. He also said he wanted to spend as much
time as possible with you before—and I quote—the vultures descend
upon their prey. I don’t even know what that means. At least he didn’t speak in
Italian.”
“He said that to Clarkson?”
Sylvie nodded. “I swear I was around the
corner. They didn’t know I was listening.” She faked a shudder. “Seriously, old
people give me the creeps. They’re so weird. My grandfather was like that. He
was so paranoid of children, kept saying he could see them and hear their laughter when no one was around. I guess it comes
with age.”
I grimaced. The poor guy. I could only hope Sylvie’s relatives were accepting of his quirks. But she was
right. Paranoia was a scary disorder
of the mind and not easy to deal with.
“So where’s Clarkson?” I asked, changing the
subject.
“Don’t know. I guess still with him. What did
you talk about?”
I pulled out the envelope and held it out to
her so she could peek inside. “Nothing big really. We talked about his life and
the conditions of my inheritance. He made me promise not to sell the estate.
Actually, he was pretty specific about that. He doesn’t want me to alter it
either. He also wanted to—” I saw Clarkson standing in the doorway to the
backyard and dipped my head toward him, deciding now wasn’t the right time to
talk “—I’ll show you later.” I sat up and waved at Clarkson to get his
attention.
“It’s lovely here, isn’t it?” Clarkson said.
I nodded. “I’m glad Alessandro is taken care
of in such a nice place.”
***
Clarkson explained he had some business to
tend to. After a short talk we agreed that he’d be calling me with updates.
Alessandro Lucazzone hoped to see me again in the
next days and I was happy to oblige, not just as his heir but also as the last
family member he had.
Anxious, I kept glancing at my watch.
With every second that passed, I was moving closer and closer to 11.45 a.m.
Jett and I had agreed to meet at noon and I couldn’t wait. My only problem now
was getting rid of Sylvie. She wasn’t his biggest fan, so there was no way I
could tell her about my lunch arrangement. If she found out, she’d only end up
thinking I was still into him—which was true—and she’d try to talk
me out of it. Not only did I promise Jett that I wouldn’t back off, but his
over-protectiveness had managed to spark my interest. My sole intention was to
listen to his reasons and clarify what exactly he thought put me in danger.
Maybe even discover a way to heal my heart, like parting on good terms rather
than in anger and pain. Only the truth can set the heart free. With knowledge I
could move on, learn from my mistakes. If I was lucky,
his sincere apology would be enough to make amends and help me move on.
Although it wouldn’t stop the pain, I was sure it could heal some of my bruised
ego.
By keeping our meeting short and to the point,
there was no need for my best friend to know about it. I’d tell her eventually
when I could deal with her angry outburst, but right now I sure wasn’t going to
listen to her ranting for the next hour.
So how best to distract her? Three things always managed to
help Sylvie forget the world around her: fashion, men, and parties.
Considering it was late morning, the clubs
were closed and Sylvie had no date, taking her shopping was my best bet, even
if she probably had more clothes than Carrie Bradshaw from Sex And The
found it a little strange and followed them to a room down the hall.” Nothing
strange about a client wanting to talk with his lawyer in private, but I didn’t
argue with Sylvie. She wasn’t usually one to notice any sort of activity that didn’t concern
her so, naturally , my suspicion was roused .
“What did they talk about?” I asked.
Sylvie inched closer and peered over her
shoulder as though to make sure no one was listening. “The old man asked Clarkson
to make sure no one knows you’re here. He also said he wanted to spend as much
time as possible with you before—and I quote—the vultures descend
upon their prey. I don’t even know what that means. At least he didn’t speak in
Italian.”
“He said that to Clarkson?”
Sylvie nodded. “I swear I was around the
corner. They didn’t know I was listening.” She faked a shudder. “Seriously, old
people give me the creeps. They’re so weird. My grandfather was like that. He
was so paranoid of children, kept saying he could see them and hear their laughter when no one was around. I guess it comes
with age.”
I grimaced. The poor guy. I could only hope Sylvie’s relatives were accepting of his quirks. But she was
right. Paranoia was a scary disorder
of the mind and not easy to deal with.
“So where’s Clarkson?” I asked, changing the
subject.
“Don’t know. I guess still with him. What did
you talk about?”
I pulled out the envelope and held it out to
her so she could peek inside. “Nothing big really. We talked about his life and
the conditions of my inheritance. He made me promise not to sell the estate.
Actually, he was pretty specific about that. He doesn’t want me to alter it
either. He also wanted to—” I saw Clarkson standing in the doorway to the
backyard and dipped my head toward him, deciding now wasn’t the right time to
talk “—I’ll show you later.” I sat up and waved at Clarkson to get his
attention.
“It’s lovely here, isn’t it?” Clarkson said.
I nodded. “I’m glad Alessandro is taken care
of in such a nice place.”
***
Clarkson explained he had some business to
tend to. After a short talk we agreed that he’d be calling me with updates.
Alessandro Lucazzone hoped to see me again in the
next days and I was happy to oblige, not just as his heir but also as the last
family member he had.
Anxious, I kept glancing at my watch.
With every second that passed, I was moving closer and closer to 11.45 a.m.
Jett and I had agreed to meet at noon and I couldn’t wait. My only problem now
was getting rid of Sylvie. She wasn’t his biggest fan, so there was no way I
could tell her about my lunch arrangement. If she found out, she’d only end up
thinking I was still into him—which was true—and she’d try to talk
me out of it. Not only did I promise Jett that I wouldn’t back off, but his
over-protectiveness had managed to spark my interest. My sole intention was to
listen to his reasons and clarify what exactly he thought put me in danger.
Maybe even discover a way to heal my heart, like parting on good terms rather
than in anger and pain. Only the truth can set the heart free. With knowledge I
could move on, learn from my mistakes. If I was lucky,
his sincere apology would be enough to make amends and help me move on.
Although it wouldn’t stop the pain, I was sure it could heal some of my bruised
ego.
By keeping our meeting short and to the point,
there was no need for my best friend to know about it. I’d tell her eventually
when I could deal with her angry outburst, but right now I sure wasn’t going to
listen to her ranting for the next hour.
So how best to distract her? Three things always managed to
help Sylvie forget the world around her: fashion, men, and parties.
Considering it was late morning, the clubs
were closed and Sylvie had no date, taking her shopping was my best bet, even
if she probably had more clothes than Carrie Bradshaw from Sex And The
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