Read Online Reunited with Her Italian Ex by Lucy Gordon - Free Book Online Page B

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    â€˜And you must put your initials on the other pages,’ Giorgio told her. ‘He wants to make very sure that you’re ours and nobody else’s. He knows good value when he sees it. Ah, here he is.’
    Mario had come into the room, and stood watching as Natasha finished signing. Glancing over the papers, he nodded and handed them to Giorgio, who left the room.
    â€˜I hadn’t expected so much,’ she said. ‘You didn’t have to do that. But thank you.’
    â€˜You have nothing to thank me for,
signorina
,’ he said firmly. ‘You’re vital to this project and I’ve taken the necessary steps to make sure the
Comunità
keeps your services.’
    She nodded, replying in the same formal voice, ‘You can be sure that I will remain loyal to the
Comunità, signore
.’
    â€˜Excellent,’ he said. ‘Then we understand each other.’
    â€˜I’m sure we do.’
    Oh, yes, she thought. They understood each other perfectly, but in ways that could never be expressed in words. He’d moved swiftly to save her from disaster, but in such a way that there was no fear of them growing closer. They were
signore
and
signorina
, and nothing else.
    Not long after, she accessed her bank account on the Internet and found that a large sum of money had already been deposited, enabling her to pay her debt to Helen. That was a relief and she was able to enjoy an hour wandering the streets, absorbing the feel of the city.
    When she returned she found that the photographs had arrived. Giorgio and Mario were going through them, studying the pictures of young models, seeking one with the perfect combination of beauty and innocence. She joined in and after a while she discovered exactly what she wanted.
    Finding Romeo was harder. He had to be handsome, with splendid legs, since Romeo would be wearing tights. At last she found what she wanted.
    â€˜Perfect,’ Mario said, studying the picture. ‘Good-looking and vulnerable.’
    â€˜Vulnerable?’ Giorgio queried. ‘He’s one of literature’s great heroes.’
    â€˜He also fell for everything that was said to him,’ Mario observed wryly. ‘Not one of the world’s great minds.’
    â€˜That’s what happens to people in love,’ Natasha said. ‘They set their minds aside and believe what they want to believe.’
    â€˜And soon learn their mistake. All right, let’s hire these two.’
    Giorgio got straight onto the phone, made the contact and arranged for the two young people to appear in a couple of days.
    â€˜Paolo and Lucia,’ he said. ‘They’ll be here ready to start on Thursday morning.’
    â€˜That’s fine,’ Natasha said. ‘It gives me some more time to work on my ideas.’
    The next two days were abuzz with action. Some of the time was spent visiting Romeo’s house, and twice Natasha was invited to dine with other members of the
Comunità
. Mario accompanied her on these trips, but did not sit next to her at the dinner table.
    She thought she understood. Having tied her down with the contract, both legally and financially, Mario preferred to keep a certain distance between them.
    But the money in her bank account was a big relief. There was no doubt that in Mario she’d made a good professional association. She must cling to that thought.
    By day they were absorbed in preparing for the photo shoot. Giorgio hired a photographer experienced in taking dramatic pictures. He also found a theatrical costumier.
    â€˜She’ll join us tomorrow with a big variety of costumes,’ he told Natasha. ‘Our models can try several until we find the right ones.’
    â€˜Juliet will need something exotic for the ballroom,’ Natasha said. ‘Then an elegant dress for the wedding scene, and a very simple one for the tomb. Right, I’m going to bed. It’s going to be a busy day