Read Online Innocent in the Italian's Possession by Janette Kenny - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Janette Kenny
Ads: Link
he’d only spent time with his dear father these past years he wouldn’t be left in the dark now! But he’d made his decision to leave the family business and the division cost Cesare untold grief for he’d lost not just one child but two. One had been the result of an accident. The other had been an intentional separation from the family—a split that was nearly unheard of in Italy.
Here sons and often daughters carried on the family tradition generation after generation. It had been the way for her family, with Emilio taking over their papa’s fishing business while she would one day inherit the old inn in Manarolo.
This passing of power was how it should have been withStefano Marinetti. When his brother died, he should have assumed that role within the company.
But he’d walked out on his father.
He’d shunned tradition and his famiglia .
And what did that say about the man who held his family in so little regard?
He was self-absorbed. Stefano seemed to care for one thing—himself.
Now he was in charge of Marinetti. He’d likely change a company that was steeped in tradition. All to leave his indelible mark.
If not for her promise to Cesare, she’d leave now. But she was honor bound to stay. She couldn’t trust Stefano with Rachel’s care, not for a moment.
With her gown slung over one broad shoulder, he guided her into the new building that was open and spacious. Of course it would look larger since it was past hours and the employees had gone home for the day.
She gave the workstations they passed an enviable glance. New computers, new phones and ergonomic chairs that screamed comfort. But then Stefano had the money to splurge on such niceties.
Cesare had a desperately ill child to provide for. He had obligations to his family. He didn’t put money before honor!
Gemma stared out of the expansive stretch of glass windows at the sea and sighed. How different things would be if Stefano was as caring and passionate about life and family as his father was.
She would’ve found him irresistible. She may actually have given in to the desire that simmered between them, only because she would’ve found it impossible to say no.
If he was like Cesare, it would be oh so easy to fall in love with him.
But he wasn’t like his father.
Stefano was an arrogant aristocrat. No, make that an arrogant, selfish aristocrat.
Men like him didn’t marry poor working girls like her. They made them their mistresses.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
She shook her head and bit back a bitter laugh over her errant thoughts. “I am tired. It’s been a long day.” A long trying day in his company.
“It is far from over.” He pushed into an elegantly appointed suite that was clearly his domain and draped the garment bag over a leather sofa. “If you wish to freshen up before you dress, my bagno privata is through that door.”
She flicked a glance in that direction and nodded before admiring the vista afforded from the windows again. “The view is fabulous.”
He shrugged off her observation. “It is never boring.”
How typical of the playboy who tired of things far too quickly! She trailed him across the room and through a door, anxious for him to conclude his business here.
For she’d not be able to breathe easy until she’d satisfied that first payment on the awful loan she’d been forced to admit to. Once that was over, she’d be nothing more than his secretary until Cesare returned.
He entered a smaller yet still spacious room where an elegant teak desk sat with an equally gorgeous view of the harbor.
“My personal assistant’s office.” He pointed to an inbox overflowing with envelopes. “Please sort through these and bring me the ones that need my immediate attention.”
She looked at the pile that likely had accumulated for over a week. “Of course.”
He glanced at his watch. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”
With that he was off, his long legs carrying his lean, enticing
Here sons and often daughters carried on the family tradition generation after generation. It had been the way for her family, with Emilio taking over their papa’s fishing business while she would one day inherit the old inn in Manarolo.
This passing of power was how it should have been withStefano Marinetti. When his brother died, he should have assumed that role within the company.
But he’d walked out on his father.
He’d shunned tradition and his famiglia .
And what did that say about the man who held his family in so little regard?
He was self-absorbed. Stefano seemed to care for one thing—himself.
Now he was in charge of Marinetti. He’d likely change a company that was steeped in tradition. All to leave his indelible mark.
If not for her promise to Cesare, she’d leave now. But she was honor bound to stay. She couldn’t trust Stefano with Rachel’s care, not for a moment.
With her gown slung over one broad shoulder, he guided her into the new building that was open and spacious. Of course it would look larger since it was past hours and the employees had gone home for the day.
She gave the workstations they passed an enviable glance. New computers, new phones and ergonomic chairs that screamed comfort. But then Stefano had the money to splurge on such niceties.
Cesare had a desperately ill child to provide for. He had obligations to his family. He didn’t put money before honor!
Gemma stared out of the expansive stretch of glass windows at the sea and sighed. How different things would be if Stefano was as caring and passionate about life and family as his father was.
She would’ve found him irresistible. She may actually have given in to the desire that simmered between them, only because she would’ve found it impossible to say no.
If he was like Cesare, it would be oh so easy to fall in love with him.
But he wasn’t like his father.
Stefano was an arrogant aristocrat. No, make that an arrogant, selfish aristocrat.
Men like him didn’t marry poor working girls like her. They made them their mistresses.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
She shook her head and bit back a bitter laugh over her errant thoughts. “I am tired. It’s been a long day.” A long trying day in his company.
“It is far from over.” He pushed into an elegantly appointed suite that was clearly his domain and draped the garment bag over a leather sofa. “If you wish to freshen up before you dress, my bagno privata is through that door.”
She flicked a glance in that direction and nodded before admiring the vista afforded from the windows again. “The view is fabulous.”
He shrugged off her observation. “It is never boring.”
How typical of the playboy who tired of things far too quickly! She trailed him across the room and through a door, anxious for him to conclude his business here.
For she’d not be able to breathe easy until she’d satisfied that first payment on the awful loan she’d been forced to admit to. Once that was over, she’d be nothing more than his secretary until Cesare returned.
He entered a smaller yet still spacious room where an elegant teak desk sat with an equally gorgeous view of the harbor.
“My personal assistant’s office.” He pointed to an inbox overflowing with envelopes. “Please sort through these and bring me the ones that need my immediate attention.”
She looked at the pile that likely had accumulated for over a week. “Of course.”
He glanced at his watch. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”
With that he was off, his long legs carrying his lean, enticing
Similar Books
