then come back to an empty house. It’s beautiful and peaceful here, but it is still very much empty. These last three weeks, you’ve made my life feel full and rich and given me a reason to get up every morning.”
Grace tried to process everything Vittorio had told her, everything he was offering. The only time she ever had been happy was at work, pouring herself into KB Events, seeing to every detail, like a general orchestrating a perfect battle. She had no friends, she didn’t dare. She didn’t go out, because . . . she didn’t dare. The only place she felt relatively safe was when she worked, and she often worked from home, making deals over the phone. Haydon wanted money, so he usually didn’t interfere. Occasionally he would come to one of the events just to scare her into compliance—and it usually worked.
When Vittorio told her he wanted complete control in the bedroom, she honestly didn’t think it would bother her. In fact, when he said it, her body had gone into meltdown. Still, she liked the idea that he would take his time to get her there. She was willing to spend the time it would take to see if they were compatible. He was worth it.
She was happy with Vittorio and felt safe most of the time. He gave that illusion, as if he was invincible and no one could best him. “You make me feel safe,” she conceded. “And happy. I don’t think I really knew what that was until just now. Realizing that just talking to you makes me happy. I even got a full night’s sleep, although I feel bad that you’re not sleeping in a bed.”
“I like watching over you, Grace,” he assured. He finished off the last of his coffee and stood. “I want to show you the rest of the house. You can call Katie and ask her to come out here for your meeting. I think she’d like to see for herself that you’re alive and well. She has made inquiries several times a day, every day since you were shot.”
She shouldn’t have been surprised, but she was. Katie had often asked her to go out with her, a dinner or dancing. Katie loved to go clubbing, but Grace had been afraid to spend too much time with her outside of work. After Haydon had made his threat, she was extremely grateful she hadn’t made the mistake. He would have really focused his attention and threats on Katie.
Now, he had a real target—Vittorio.
The thought made her heart pound and her hands clench in sudden fear. She couldn’t stand idly by and let Vittorio get hurt because of her. She wanted him with every breath she took. She wanted the lifestyle he was offering her. She wanted him—Vittorio Ferraro. But there was Haydon, and Haydon never lost.
Grace sucked in a breath. Forced her hands to unclench. “I appreciate all that you’ve done for me, Vittorio, and all that you’re offering. But I honestly think it best if we don’t keep up this engagement.”
“We already discussed this, gattina. You’re getting spooked all over again. The announcement was made official by the family and has already been in the news. There isn’t any taking it back. I know you’re thinking you can protect me, but it doesn’t work that way. In my world, I’m the one doing the protecting.” Vittorio put his hand under her good arm and helped her out of the chair. “Merry will get the dishes,” he added when he saw her looking at them as if she might clear the table.
Grace should have made her protest stick and she felt like a coward when she didn’t. She couldn’t help but feel cared for. It was his tone. His posture. Everything about him. She found him very hard to resist, and if she was truthful with herself, she wasn’t trying that much.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The house opened from one room directly into the next, each with spacious, high ceilings. The foyer opened up into a library, living room, and sitting room that was a little cozier than some of the other spaces for visiting and relaxing with family or guests. The house had several living and family rooms, and Vittorio took Grace past the library straight to his favorite.
The sitting room faced the pool and had a large, open entrance that could be closed off if desired by glass doors and blackout curtains. The furniture consisted of the most comfortable