The Tuscan's Revenge Wedding (Italian Billionaires #1)(47)

It was too true to be denied, though hearing it put into words was like a blow to the heart. “He’s been so helpful, constantly checking on you, driving me back and forth, letting me stay at the villa—”

“So he sends you packing for daring to do something he doesn’t like, so what? It’s not as if you intended to be there forever.”

No, she had never, not for an instant, expected forever. She looked away as she shook her head.

“What?” Jonathan asked, his voice growing harder as she stared at her. “You didn’t, did you? I mean, you’re not thinking of staying, don’t have anything going on with his high-and-mightiness, the Conte de Frenza?”

She could feel the hot burn of color across her cheekbones, but there was nothing she could do about it. “Don’t call him that, not after all he’s done.”

“Why not, when it’s the truth? He’s the twentieth or so count in his family line, as high and mighty as they come. Take it as an indicator of why you should stay far, far away from him.”

“I don’t know why you’re so concerned.”

“You don’t know these old Italian families. I told you before, they may look ultramodern on the outside, but inside they’re not too different from a few hundred years ago. They’re proud as Lucifer, and things like honor, manners and defending the family name are like a religion. The only person good enough for one of their own is someone from another family that’s been around as long as they have.”

“But he said you and Carita can be married if she says yes when she recovers.”

“Oh, yeah, easy enough to say, especially if he thought it was what you wanted to hear. Nico doesn’t approve of me, and he hates that his sister loves me, would probably kill me if he knew she carries my baby inside her.”

“He does know,” Amanda said shortly.

Jonathan breathed a curse. He closed his eyes tight then opened them again. “I’m surprised he hasn’t murdered me. But what it comes down to is this, Amanda. The only reason he’d come on to you so fast is because it would be the perfect way to pay me back in kind. I seduced his sister, so he seduces mine. You see?”

Amanda did see. She saw so well that she felt ill with it.

She’d realized from the beginning she wasn’t Nico’s type, had been surprised he was attracted to her. They’d known each other less than twenty four hours when he’d first kissed her and issued his challenge. She accepted it of her own will, cooperating in her own seduction.

More than that, their relationship had been immortalized in the tabloids for the world to see. Just as the accident with Carita had named Jonathan as her lover, Nico’s actions had branded Amanda as his. It was all perfectly clear.

No wonder Nico had left her without saying goodbye. He had no need for manners or concern about a woman who meant nothing to him except a means of revenge.





10


Nico heard Carisa’s voice as he reached the hospital room door. He thought for an instant that Carita must have roused from her coma; anything else was too incredible. Then he caught the lilting, happy cadence that was Carisa’s alone, heard her call her twin’s name.

The door swung wide under his hand as he hit it harder than he intended. The three people gathered around Carita’s bed swung as one to face him. Carisa’s eyes widened to circles and her small mouth opened wide. Jonathan straightened where he balanced on one crutch. But Nico saw only one person with any clarity, the woman who whirled to face him with a hectic flush rising to her hairline and anger in her face.

“What is this?” he demanded with the pain of betrayal in his voice, also the fury that his body was betraying him, hardening at the mere sight of Amanda. “What is Carisa doing here?”

“I’m talking to Carita!” his young sister announced in high-pitched excitement before Amanda or Jonathan could answer. “And she’s listening, Nico! She’s asleep, but she’s listening to me.”

He lowered his voice, keeping his tone soothing with great effort. “Yes, of course, but who explained this to you? Who brought you here, or said you could see Carita?”

“Mandy did.” Carisa gave a little bounce where she sat on the far side of the bed, close beside her twin. “She said Carita loves me and wants to see me more than anybody. That means she’ll wake up for me. She said—”

“I’ve heard more than enough of what Amanda said,” he interrupted. He had known she had done this thing, he realized as his gaze settled on her features that had turned pale now, as pale as the dress of finest white linen she wore, one he had ordered for her with such ridiculous care. It made no sense any other way.

He hadn’t wanted to believe it, could hardly accept that she would so disregard his wishes or show so little concern for Carisa’s welfare. It was so far beyond what he expected that he had required confirmation. Now he had it.

“I believe it’s time for Amanda to leave. You must go back to the villa with her, cara Carisa.”

“No, Nico, no! Mandy was right, I am good for Carita. I am a grown woman, and can do more than you think. I didn’t cry when we drove here, and I’m not afraid of the hospital or doctors or the nurses or the machines or the beds that go up and down or the tubes with medicine or little TVs that blink with green lights or the—”