Men of Power

Her comment produced a slight chiseling of his jaw. She realized she’d gone too far, but she couldn’t help it. Her pain was acute.

“I think you’d better explain yourself,” his voice rasped.

“I don’t owe you anything.”

Julie was so incensed, she had to get out of there before she said something unconscionable.

Though she was closer to the door, he reached it ahead of her with effortless male agility, blocking her exit.

“You came over here for a reason. I’d like to know what it is.” His deceptively civil tone didn’t fool her. Beneath those words lurked a demand.

The man was furious, and wouldn’t allow her to leave without hearing an explanation first. If all the Di Rocches were as arrogant as her brother, it was no wonder Pietra had left Italy.

Heat stormed into her cheeks. “Would it do any good?” she challenged him.

“Try me,” he mocked with unbearable hauteur.

“I was going to ask if you would hire me to be Nicky’s nanny through this initial period of adjustment, however long it takes. That way I won’t feel like I’ve lost him completely.”

His dark brows elevated. She could hear his mind working. “I understand you have an excellent job in San Francisco.”

“I do. But even before I heard the terms of the will, I’d planned to give it up to take care of Nicky.”

He cocked his head. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re involved with someone who works at the same company.”

She shouldn’t have been surprised Pietra had confided all that to her brother. They’d clearly been in closer touch than she’d thought.

“I was. It didn’t work out,” she muttered. “At this point nothing means more to me than Nicky. He needs constant love and security right now. He’s missing his parents terribly.”

His grim expression intensified. “Of course.”

“When it comes to taking care of Nicky, not just any woman will do,” she pointed out heatedly.

“This one has been a mother.”

“Then that means she’s an older woman. How will she fare in the jungle?” Julie cried. “I’m young and willing to live wherever you live. Nicky and I would adapt. Because of my job, which requires some travel, I have a passport. I’ll get the necessary vaccinations.”

His eyes played over her features. “What kind of work have you done?”

“It’s a software company. On occasion I give presentations of the product to their foreign distributors. But to get back to Nicky, it’s important for you to know that since he was born, I’ve tended him once a month on the weekends. We’ve started getting acquainted.”

She was talking too fast, but she couldn’t help it. The thought of him taking Nicky away was tearing her apart.

“As soon as I arrived here yesterday morning, I sent the babysitter home and have taken care of him myself. The poor little thing’s sick.”

He frowned. “How sick?”

“He’s used to Pietra’s milk. Last night he fought me on the bottle because he doesn’t like formula. It upset him so much that he’s developed a bad rash. This morning I had to call the doctor about it and get a prescription for him. Another day or two and it ought to clear up.

“But that isn’t all that’s wrong. He keeps looking for his parents. Introducing him to another stranger this soon will only frustrate him further. No other woman will ever love him the way I do. I’m beginning to gain his trust. Soon he’ll learn to accept me.”

Her eyes glazed with tears. “Even if Shawn and Pietra didn’t consider me a proper guardian when they made out their will, I’d do anything for them. I loved them, and I adore Nicky. He’s my brother’s son. How could I not?”

With everything said, the last breath of air left her lungs. She waited, expecting him to say something. Anything! When he didn’t, she felt like she was going to explode.

“That’s what I came to say! But pleading my case to you is a lost cause isn’t it? Mother was afraid Pietra’s uncle would come for him and try to take him away from us. I thought she was being hysterical, but it turns out she was right! You’re as awful as the rest of the Di Rocche clan.”

His body stiffened, but she was too far gone to care.

“You’re all in this together. The Italian big-boy network using all your money and position to close ranks on Shawn’s son and turn him into a Di Rocche.”

“Have you finished?” came the voice of ice.

Her hands formed fists. “No, I haven’t even started. All this time you were in Central America you never had any use for Pietra, and you don’t care a fig about Nicky. No doubt you’ll have him dropped off at your uncle’s where some built-in maid will change his diapers and give him bottles.

“In the walls of that prison he’ll be taught to conform like the rest of the Di Rocche men, leaving you free to feed your addiction in Guatemala.

“You know what? You’re the worst of them because Pietra trusted you—” Her voice rang out, but she didn’t care.

“Your sister thought the world of you, even after you deserted her and left for Central America. She told me you only came to see her once before the baby was born. That’s how much interest you had in their lives. And now you show up to do your uncle’s dirty work. I think it’s abominable.”

“Are you quite through?” His eyes glittered dangerously.

“What’s the matter? Can’t you take the truth?” she said, baiting him. “If I’ve shocked you, I meant to, and I’ll never apologize for the way I feel about Nicky.”

She started for the door, then paused. “In case you’re wondering, my parents have no idea I drove over here to see you. I don’t intend for them to know I came. They’re so devastated right now, if they knew how hard-hearted you really are it would destroy them.”

Massimo let Shawn’s grief-stricken sister charge out the door without trying to stop her. She’d obviously been in Pietra’s confidence and knew enough to push one too many of Massimo’s buttons.

This was a development he would never have envisioned. She was much more fragile than anyone knew. Not only wasn’t she planning a wedding to her boyfriend, she was the one devastated by the terms of the will.

He needed to weigh everything carefully before he acted. A certain conversation with Pietra ran through his mind in vivid detail.

We’ve talked it over, brother dear. If, God forbid, anything should happen to us before Niccolo reaches eighteen, we would like you to be in charge of him. Will you agree?

Margaret’s a good person. She means well, but Shawn’s worried she’d be too possessive of him.

To ask Shawn’s father would destroy his mother, never mind that he and his wife have their hands full with her autistic grandson.

That leaves Julie, the perfect choice, but she’s on the brink of getting engaged. One day soon she’ll be married and have children of her own. Shawn doesn’t want her burdened. More importantly, he fears that Margaret would interfere with Julie’s household and cause trouble. It could ruin her marriage.

I’m afraid you’re the only one we can turn to in full confidence. You’re the only person who could control Nicky’s grandmother and still be fair to Shawn’s family.

Since you’re the only person Uncle Aldo can’t control, we have no fear of his influence over our son.

In the meantime, it’s a comfort to know you’ll embrace our sweet Niccolo. With you guiding him, he’ll lead a wonderful life. I realize it’s asking a lot, but if anyone understands what it’s like to live with someone besides your parents, you and I do.

Just remember this is only a precautionary measure. Nicky hasn’t been born yet, and nothing’s going to happen to Shawn and me. We’ve found love. We ‘re going to live a long, happy life and have a big family.

But just in case …

On a groan, he reached for his cell phone. He’d promised to call his uncle. There was no question Pietra’s death had affected the older man. He had to be suffering some remorse that there’d been no reconciliation. But such an event wouldn’t have happened unless his uncle had made the first move.

Pietra had been too hurt by the dynamics inside their uncle’s household. Now it was too late.

The doctor had advised him not to come to the funeral. It would put too much stress on his heart if he was hoping to recover. Massimo inhaled deeply.

How did anyone recover from this nightmare? He hadn’t even seen the baby yet.

But Julie had,

No woman will ever love him the way I do.

He needs constant love and security.

He’s missing his parents terribly.

Introducing him to another stranger this soon will only frustrate him further.

Despite her impassioned accusations, which had come home to roost, the torment in those smoky-blue eyes had reached down into Massimo’s soul where anger over so many things lived.

“Uncle?”

“Figlio mio.” Aldo’s voice trembled. “Have you seen her?”

He closed his eyes tightly, but nothing would shut out the image. “Yes. I’ve just come from the mortuary.”

His uncle cleared his throat several times. “I’d hoped to be there and see her boy.”

Massimo remained unconvinced on that score. “You’ll get your chance.”

“Dr. Zampoli says it won’t be for a while.”

“The good doctor doesn’t know everything.”

“What do you mean?”

A shudder wracked his body. “I’m coming back to Italy, Uncle.”

“For how long?”

“Long enough.”

“Don’t feed me lies, Massimo.” The excitement in his voice was tangible. “I can take them from anyone but you.”

“If you don’t believe me, ask Guido. He and Lia are getting the villa ready in Bellagio.”

“What’s wrong with my house?”

His lips compressed. It hadn’t taken two seconds for his uncle to start dictating. “I want Nicky to be raised in his grandparents’ home.”

A long silence ensued before his uncle blurted, “You have custody of the boy?”

His uncle’s shock brought a satisfied curl to Massimo’s mouth. “That’s right.”

The older man wanted Massimo home running the business, but not under these circumstances. A baby in residence frustrated the plans he’d orchestrated for Massimo’s destiny years earlier.

“I know the perfect woman to look after him.”

Of course he did, and Massimo knew exactly who it was. Everyone knew. His uncle was as transparent as the cat who’d licked all the cream. But such a split-second recovery explained the envy on the part of his business rivals.

“So do I, Uncle.” Pietra had called her sister-in-law the perfect choice. Massimo had just been presented with living proof that Julie Marchant loved the baby to the point she was willing to fight to the death for him.

No other person besides himself would place Nicky’s welfare above every other consideration. Such a demonstration proved beyond doubt he could trust her with their nephew.

A few e-mail photos didn’t do justice to her slenderly rounded figure. Like her brother she possessed those classic features reminiscent of the Swedish blood in their ancestry. They were exceptionally good-looking people.

The existence of Shawn’s golden-blond sister on the premises would add a new component to an old equation, ensuring a different outcome he wouldn’t allow his uncle to manipulate.

“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this day, Massimo.”

But for a horrendous tragedy, his uncle would have been forced to wait forever.

“I’ll let you know when I’ve arrived in Milan.”

“When’s the funeral?”

“Graveside services are planned for the day after tomorrow.”

“Good. That gives Dante and Lazio time to get there.”

For Pietra’s sake Massimo was glad to hear his cousins were coming to represent the family, even if it was only upon his uncle’s orders. Massimo was even happier that Sansone wouldn’t be with them. When he wasn’t there to order his younger brothers around, there wasn’t as much tension.

“I’ll reserve rooms for them.”

“Excellent. I told them to take the company jet. Now that I know you’re coming home with the baby, you’re going to need it.”

For once Massimo agreed with his uncle. The thought of taking a five-month-old baby halfway around the world on a commercial airliner had been a daunting one.

“Mind the doctor, Uncle. Ciao.“

The selfish part of Massimo would like nothing better than to continue working at his favorite hobby with his nephew in tow, but he’d made a promise to Shawn and Pietra. The jungle was no place to take a baby. Maybe in Nicky’s teens.

Julie hadn’t been far off. His hobby was an addiction.

But for now his nephew deserved everything Massimo could give him. As she had said, he needed love most of all. Being his aunt, she would always provide that, even after Massimo didn’t need her help anymore.

Until that day came—a day he couldn’t think about right now—they would figure things out as they went. Though he was considerably older, she knew a hell of a lot more about babies than he did. He’d never even changed a diaper.

Unfortunately for Nicky, he was stuck with a substitute father he hadn’t even met yet. Massimo assumed the rest would fall into place in time. How difficult could it be to give a baby a bottle?

Speaking of which, he took some water from the bar’s minifridge to quench his thirst. Old habits died hard.

Fifteen minutes later he arrived at the town house and knocked. Behind the front door he could hear an infant wailing.

Niccolo …

The sound tore at his gut, making his pain excruciatingly real.

Mr. Marchant opened the door. Beyond his shoulder Massimo could see Julie’s mother. He recognized them from pictures. Both were dark blond. Attractive. She was walking around with the baby, trying to calm him down. There was no sign of Julie.

“We meet at last, Massimo. Come in.”

* * *

“Kendra? This is Julie again.”

“Oh, hi!”

Relieved the cute teenager was home she said, “Do you know any tricks to help us? Nicky just keeps crying. Even my mother can’t get him to stop. Before I call the doctor again, I thought I’d find out what you do to help him settle down.”

“Try the little musical swing they bought last month. He likes that.”

“Where is it?”

“It should be right by the rocker.”

“I don’t see it, but I’ll look around. Thanks for the tip.”

“Sure. The poor little thing. Good luck.”

Julie knew for a fact she hadn’t seen it anywhere in the house. Maybe the back patio?

She hurried down the stairs. Her heart skipped a beat to discover Massimo in the front room with her parents. The tension was thick. When had he come? After what had transpired at the hotel, she’d been dreading this moment.

Her father made the introductions while Massimo held an out-of-control Nicky in his strong arms. For a brief moment their eyes met. She expected to read fury in his. Instead his whole expression was enigmatic, throwing her off balance.

To complicate her feelings even more, his Italian features mesmerized her. She got a fluttering sensation in her chest before rushing out the back door of the kitchen.

Sure enough the swing was sitting next to the wrought-iron table and chairs. She brought it inside and carried it into the living room. “Let’s try this.”

While Massimo set the baby inside it and fiddled with the straps, she knelt down to turn on the various switches. “Kendra says you like this. Let’s find out, shall we?”

The music began to play, but Nicky’s crying only grew louder. There was no motion. “It’s not moving. Maybe it’s broken.”

“I’ll do it by hand,” Massimo murmured, getting down on his haunches, accidentally bringing their arms and thighs together. Julie pretended not to notice the contact even though she felt it through every cell of her body.

Though his chin wobbled and there were a lot of hiccups, by some miracle Nicky eventually quieted down.

Bless Kendra.

“I believe you’ve got it going,” her father said.

Massimo let go of the seat to test it. Sure enough, the swing was doing its job.

Julie let out a heavy sigh and stood up.

She happened to glance at Massimo, who’d risen to his full, intimidating height. “Mission accomplished,” he whispered. Along with the sorrow she caught a glint of relief in his eyes. Again she felt stirrings inside her that made no sense, not when he was the enemy.

“I can’t imagine what Shawn and Pietra were thinking when they gave you custody of our grandson. Central America is no place for him. Furthermore you know nothing about raising a child.”

Good for her mom! With that opus she’d gone for the jugular. Though her hostility wasn’t going to help anything, as Julie had already found out, she was saying all the things Julie felt.

“I happen to agree with you on both points,” he responded quietly. “That’s why I’m taking him back to Italy.”

“While you traipse off to the jungle once more, leaving him to strangers who won’t care one whit for him?”

“Margaret—”

“It’s all right,” Massimo said, eyeing Julie’s parents. “If my life had been different, archaeology would have been my career, not a hobby. As it stands, I’ll be returning to take my place in the family business.”

What? Julie reeled.

Pietra had indicated her brother would never go back. Julie didn’t believe him for a minute!

“Nicky will be living with me in the home where Pietra and I were born,” he continued. “Before their deaths our parents lived in Bellagio on Lake Como, only a short distance from the office in Milan.

“The villa is Nicky’s heritage. My staff will be devoted to him. They’re getting things prepared for him as we speak.”

“But the people who love him are here,” her mother asserted, not the least swayed by the trappings. “He’ll be surrounded by strange faces.”

She’d taken the words out of Julie’s mouth. She could only applaud her mom.

“I was hoping to solve that problem by hiring your daughter for a while.” His glance switched to Julie with a complacent gleam that caused the hairs to stand on the back of her neck.

“That is if you’re willing, and if you’re able to leave your work, of course. Pietra told me you’ve spent time with Nicky, which means you’re not a complete stranger to him like I am.”

The world stilled while she almost fainted from shock. Her parents looked equally nonplussed.

His gaze continued to bore into hers. She felt its disturbing penetration to the marrow of her bones. “How would you feel about helping me with our nephew until he’s used to his new home? Your mother’s right. I know nothing about babies.”

He knew exactly how Julie felt about it!

Not by one flicker of those dark lashes did he give away the fact that she’d paid a visit to his hotel room earlier. His discretion was only eclipsed by his cunning.

A shiver ran up her spine. To turn him down now would prove to him she hadn’t meant what she’d said. Yet to tell him she’d like the nanny job meant putting herself in a position where he’d exact retribution at some later time for her meltdown in his hotel room. Julie hadn’t known real fear until this moment.

“I love Nicky,” she said quietly. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him. Resigning from my job will be no problem.” He already knew that. For some inexplicable reason he’d decided to grant her the wish of her heart. “Before we knew about the will, I’d planned to take care of my nephew.”

“I think it’s a terrific idea,” came her father’s heartfelt comment. “Don’t you, Margaret?”

“I … I suppose it is. I’m just having a hard time comprehending it.”

A faint smile of satisfaction broke the corner of Massimo’s hard, sensuous mouth. Julie had made a surreptitious study of it. The description seemed a contradiction in terms, yet both applied.

To her parents it might look like he was truly relieved someone else close to Nicky would share the burden with him. Julie knew differently.

“Pietra told me you have an important position with a software company in San Francisco—” he kept speaking to her. “Perhaps they’ll give you a leave of absence. If not, you won’t need to worry. I’ll be paying you considerably more for your time.”

She swallowed hard, unable to credit what she was hearing.

His eyes swerved to her parents who were still visibly stunned. “Naturally my home will be yours whenever you wish to visit Nicky. Come often and stay as long as you want. On holidays I’ll bring him to California and Hawaii. Nicky needs his grandparents. For his sake, we’ll make it work.”

The magic words.

Julie’s mother teared up. Her father patted him on the shoulder. “Indeed we will.”

Once more Massimo turned to Julie. “Pietra mentioned a boyfriend. He’s welcome at the villa, too. Anytime he wants to fly over to see you.”

She’d told him that relationship had ended, but he’d thrown that in for effect to make everything sound convincing. Nothing escaped his steel-trap mind. Within minutes he’d accomplished what Julie hadn’t thought possible—

He’d silenced her mother and reassured her parents they hadn’t lost Nicky. In the process he’d caught Julie before her life hit rock bottom, but she knew in her bones he meant to extract a price for the accusations she’d hurtled at him.

She looked down at the baby, who was finally asleep again. Knowing she’d be traveling to Italy with him took away some of the sting of the will’s contents. Enough to help her get through the graveside services they had facing them.

But in its place an indefinable fear had taken hold and wouldn’t let go.

CHAPTER THREE

THE spacious well-lit Di Rocche jet with its panoramic windows could hold fourteen passengers plus the crew. Once they’d taken off, and the lights from San Francisco receded into the night, Julie was scarcely aware of Massimo’s rather austere, well-dressed cousins, who did business in the aft conference compartment.

Though deferential to Massimo and very correct with her family throughout the service and afterward, for the most part they kept to themselves.

From the little Massimo had told her, Dante was thirty-nine and Lazio forty-two. Both were married and had children. His forty-four-year-old cousin, Sansone, hadn’t come. He, too, had children, one of them in college. All of them held responsible positions within the company.

So many stern males who had no time for Pietra must have been daunting to her. She’d only been eight to Massimo’s thirteen when they’d lost their parents.

Massimo talked off and on with his brown-haired cousins, but for the most part he stayed in the berthable cabin with her and Nicky. An alarming prospect because she never knew at what moment he was going to pull off the gloves. Her anxiety while she waited made her feverish.

Hopefully, with Nicky right next to them, she didn’t have to worry about it during the flight. Up to now the baby had been pretty good all things considered. But after refueling in New York for the last leg of the flight to Milan, he’d started to fuss.

Julie didn’t think he could be hungry again. With a steward aboard to bring their meals and heat his bottles, she’d never known such luxury.

Everything had been provided for her and the baby’s comfort.

Luckily his rash had improved. A few more days using the special cream and the last of the redness would be gone.

This was the first time she and Massimo had been on their own with Nicky. Until they’d boarded the jet, Julie’s mother and father had taken turns tending the baby. She knew their hearts were broken at the thought of him leaving the country.

Though Massimo possessed a commanding air of authority that would be intimidating to most people, he hadn’t tried to interfere or take over with her parents, for which Julie had been grateful. Pain clung to all of them like a dark mist. The airport scene represented the end of the Marchant family the way they’d always known it. Nothing would ever be the same again.