LITMIR.BIZ

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coverage, he was able to keep track of her without having to make contact with her father. But having said goodbye to her had thrown him into a black void.

      Once Rini arrived at the Laurito villa, he was besieged by family. He played with Carlo’s daughter, then took turns enjoying the two baby boys. Giovanni chatted with him for a while, but it was Valentina who sequestered him in the sunroom just off the terrace. He couldn’t get out of it.

      “I thought you’d be bringing Alessandra with you. She’s fabulous!”

      “That’s over.”

      “Why? I know you’re in love with her.”

      His eyes closed tightly. “It can’t work.”

      “Rini—are you saying she doesn’t love you?”

      He inhaled sharply. “She’s never said the words.”

      “Have you?”

      “It doesn’t matter.”

      “Yes it does! Alessandra came to your house unannounced. I saw the look in her eyes when you walked out on the patio. If ever a woman had it bad...”

      “There are things you don’t know and I can’t tell you. Don’t make this any harder on me.”

      “Okay.” She patted his arm. “I’ll leave it alone. Keep your secrets and come on back out. Papà wants to talk to you and find out what new areas you’ve found for drilling.”

      “I wish I had better results to report.”

      Together they joined the others. Near midnight he flew back to his villa and did some laps in the swimming pool before going to bed. To his chagrin, sleep wouldn’t come. He spent most of the night outside on a lounger.

      Three weeks... If he didn’t see Alessandra again soon, he’d go mad. But he had certain knowledge that bound him to stay away from her. Early Monday morning he put his emotional needs in the deep freeze and left for his office, prepared to announce some new sites for drilling that would please the board. He worked steadily until Thursday, when his secretary put through a call from his sister.

      “Valentina?”

      “Have you heard the news?” She sounded frantic.

      His gut clenched. “What is it?”

      “The seismic research facility in Malta registered a six-point-nine quake in the Ionian. The impact was felt all along the coast. It affected the diving site where Alessandra has been working with the institute.”

      Earthquake? He broke out in a cold sweat. If anything happened to her, his life wouldn’t be worth living. To hell with what her aunt had told him. He needed to go to her and wouldn’t let anything stop him.

      “According to the news, apparently two or three divers were injured and transported to chambers at various hospitals on the coast. I found out the institute’s oceanography boat docks at Crotone, so I’m sure some of the victims were taken there.”

      “I’m on my way. Bless you, Valentina.”

      * * *

      He alerted his pilot and flew to the Naples airport, where he took the company jet to Crotone. En route he phoned to make certain a rental car was waiting. Following that he made calls to the three hospitals in the town, but no one would give him information about the injured because he wasn’t a relative. Other injuries over the southern area had been reported and hospitals all along the coast were filling.

      Emergency vehicles and fire trucks filled the parking area of the first hospital. He made it to the ER and learned that one diver had been brought there. No one would give him information, but one of the ambulance crew helped him out by telling him they’d transported a male diver here.

      Thanking him, Rini drove to the next hospital. Again it was the wrong one. He made the rounds until he reached the last hospital. When he spotted Bruno Tozzi in the waiting room, he knew Alessandra had to be here. Avoiding conversation with him, Rini walked through the hospital to the director’s office. He’d do whatever it took to be granted permission to see her.

      * * *

      “I’m fine,” Alessandra assured her parents after she’d spent six hours in the chamber.

      “Are you in pain?”

      “No, not at all. The doctor told me I have a light case of the bends.”

      “Dr. Tozzi wants to see you.”

      “He worries about all the team, but I’m not up for visitors. Tell him I promise to call him tomorrow when I’m feeling better.”

      “All right. We’ll find him out in the reception area and be back in two hours. The doctor said you’ll be here overnight. We’ll stay with you and drive you home in the morning. Try to rest in the meantime. Love you.” They kissed her before slipping from the room.

      No sooner had they gone than the door opened again. It was probably the nurse coming in to check her vital signs. When she saw who entered the room, her heart fluttered dangerously fast.

      “Rini—what are you doing here?” After three weeks of not seeing him, the sight of his tall, well-honed body wearing a navy blue business suit was too much to handle in her weakened state.

      “When I heard what happened, I couldn’t stay away.”

      She turned on her side, trying to hide from him. “Did you talk to my parents?”

      “They don’t know I’m here.”

      Her breath caught. “You shouldn’t have come. We’ve said all there is to say.”

      “I had to be sure you were going to recover,” he said, his voice throbbing.

      Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let him see them. “I don’t see how you found out where I was.”

      “A simple deduction after Valentina phoned me with the news about the epicenter of the quake.”

      She sighed. “How did you get past the desk? No one is allowed in here.”

      “I have my ways. Alessandra, you could have died out there. The doctor said you lost consciousness. It could have been fatal. Do you have any idea what I’ve been going through thinking I might have lost you?”

      “Maybe now you know how I felt when you let me leave Positano and I knew it was over with you.” A bitter little cry escaped her lips. “My parents will be taking me home in the morning. The only reason I can imagine you’re being here is because of your guilt.

      “What a surprise I’m going to survive! Surely it’s a relief to you. That way you don’t have to tell me what you’ve been holding back. It would only add to your guilt.”

      “Alessandra—” His mournful voice reached that vulnerable place inside her before he’d come around the side of the bed. She felt him cup her face with his hand. “Grazie a dio you’re alive and safe.”

      She kept her eyes tightly closed. “I admit I’m happy about it, too.”

      His fingers toyed with her hair, sending fingers of delight through her exhausted body. “I once came down with a case of decompression sickness and know how it feels.”

      “One of the hazards when you’re having fun.”

      “You don’t need to pretend with me. I know you’ve had a fright and need sleep. Do you mind if I stay here with you for a little while?” He leaned down and kissed her lips. It felt like the touch of fire.

      “The doctor won’t like it, but that’s up to you.”

      Peering at him through slits, she watched him draw a chair to the side of the bed next to her. He looked like a man with the weight of the world on his powerful shoulders. She needed him to go away and never come back, but she couldn’t find the words.

      In a minute a nurse

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