LITMIR.BIZ

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that?’

      ‘I don’t know. Rob a bank, marry a rich man, sell my body to the highest bidder?’

      ‘Leah!’

      ‘I had no idea, Harper, beyond going into hiding and getting as many jobs as I could and saving like hell so that I could at least start to pay some of the money back. I was being trained to work in the casino, on the tables, when Vieri’s goons burst in and bundled me into a limo. I had no idea where we were going. Turned out to be the nearest airport.’

      ‘But whatever were you thinking?’ Harper moved the phone to her other ear. ‘Even if by some miracle you hadn’t lost all the money, what about the original deal you had made with Vieri?’

      ‘I was going to pay him back his money and then pull out. I knew I’d have to look for a job somewhere else, but I figured it would be worth it.’

      ‘Didn’t you care about letting him down?’

      ‘Oh, come on, Harper. You don’t feel sorry for men like Vieri Romano! It was a stupid idea anyway.’

      ‘Yeah, a stupid idea that I now have to see through.’

      ‘So is that what you’re doing in Sicily?’ Leah breathed into the phone. ‘Honouring my agreement?’

      ‘Yes, Leah. That’s exactly what I’m doing.’

      ‘You are pretending to be engaged to Vieri Romano?’ She had the nerve to laugh.

      ‘I said so, didn’t I?’ Harper bristled with annoyance. ‘I’m glad you find it so hilarious.’

      ‘No, not hilarious.’ Leah steadied herself. ‘I’m just surprised, that’s all.’

      ‘What, surprised that I’m having to pick up the pieces of your shattered life yet again?’

      There was silence from the other end of the phone.

      ‘I’m sorry, Lea.’ Instantly Harper regretted her sharp tongue. ‘I didn’t mean it like that.’

      ‘Yes, you did.’ Leah let out a deep sigh. ‘And you’re right. We both know that I owe you everything. And all I want is to try and make it up to you.’

      ‘How many times? You don’t need to make anything up to me. Especially if it means coming up with hare-brained schemes like becoming engaged to billionaire Sicilian businessmen.’

      She was relieved to hear her sister laugh.

      ‘Okay, point taken. But at least I can sort this mess out myself. If you can book me a flight to Sicily—I’d do it myself except I have literally no money—then we can swap places and you can come home.’

      ‘No, Leah.’

      ‘But why not? It’s the obvious solution.’

      ‘Because it’s way too late for that. I’ve been introduced to people, got to know his godfather. And besides, Vieri would never agree to it. Your name is mud as far as he is concerned.’

      ‘But we look so alike. He probably wouldn’t even notice the difference.’

      ‘Trust me, he would notice.’

      Harper bit down on her lip. She had answered too quickly, given herself away.

      ‘So, you and Vieri...’ Leah probed quietly. ‘Have you got close?’

      ‘No.’

      ‘Oh, my God, you have, haven’t you? You have fallen for him!’

      ‘No! Of course I haven’t!’

      ‘Oh, Harps, be careful. I mean, I know he’s a complete hunk with enough sex appeal to decimate a small planet, but even so, a man like Vieri Romano... He breaks hearts for a living.’

      ‘I have not fallen for Vieri Romano! He’s an arrogant, overbearing egotist. Why ever would I fall for a man like that?’

      ‘I don’t know. You tell me.’ Her voice was laced with amusement.

      ‘Look, Leah, I’m not going to discuss this any further. We need to make plans for the next few weeks.’

      ‘I suspect you’ve already done that.’

      ‘I’m being serious, Leah. I’m not sure when I’m going to get back to Glenruie, but in the meantime you are in charge. How is Dad? Have you seen him?’

      ‘Not yet. It was late when I got in last night. The kitchen looked in a bit of a state.’

      ‘I can imagine. You are going to have to be tough with him, you know.’

      ‘I know.’

      ‘And I’m down to do quite a few shifts at the Lodge. I was going to ring and cancel them but now you’re back you can do them for me. They’re all written on the calendar.’

      ‘Okay, fine.’ She sighed heavily. ‘Why does it feel as if I’ve drawn the short straw?’

      ‘Don’t even go there, Leah!’ Harper gave a brisk laugh. ‘Look, I’m going to have to go now. So glad you are safe, sis.’

      ‘Thanks. And sorry...you know...’

      ‘Forget it.’

      ‘Love you, sis.’

      ‘You too.’

      Ending the call, Harper moved over to the window. Dawn was just beginning to break over the city, the rising sun defining the jagged black mountains in the distance, picking out the orange brickwork of the chaotic conglomeration of houses below.

      It was so beautiful here, and yet Harper had never felt more isolated, more alone. The torture of what had happened between her and Vieri the evening before had robbed her of a night’s sleep and still coursed shamefully through her veins. The way she had responded to his touch, been so near to giving herself to him, exposing her feelings, now scored her cheeks with humiliation. One minute she had been melting beneath the seductive power of his mouth and the next he had cruelly dismissed her, brutally reminding her of who was in charge. He pulled her strings and she danced. He cut them and she fell.

      Turning away from the window, she went back and sat on the edge of the bed, bunching the bedcover between her fingers. It had been the mention of that Donatella woman that had thrown him into a rage—clearly something had gone on between the two of them. Was it possible they had been lovers? Were they still lovers? The thought cut through her like a blade. Sucking in a breath, she made herself focus on the reality of her situation. Whoever Vieri saw, whatever he did, was none of her business. Their engagement was only for a few, short weeks. She just had to wrap up her emotions and get through this. Although the fact that their arrangement would only end because of Alfonso’s death was something Harper had yet to come to terms with.

      But when the inevitable happened she would go back to Scotland and get on with her life and put this whole, crazy episode behind her. It would be as if Vieri had never existed. And somehow, her poor virgin heart would have to find a way to heal itself.

      Pulling back the feather-light duvet, she slipped underneath and curled herself into a tight ball. And finally sleep came.

       CHAPTER EIGHT

      A SERIES OF loud raps on her bedroom door saw Harper burrowing out of the duvet, blinking against the light.

      ‘Harper!’ There was no mistaking the deeply sonorous voice.

      ‘Yes,’ she croaked back, fumbling for her phone to see what the time was. Ten-thirty? How could that be? But before she had the chance to order her thoughts Vieri was striding into her bedroom, full of his usual command.

      ‘You need to get up.’

      Harper pushed herself up against the pillows, brushing the hair out of her eyes with a shaky hand.

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