The empathy shining from her eyes had been too much.

He’d never introduced his mother to any of his friends or lovers before. His mother had her own special compartment in his life. He’d long ago accepted that she wouldn’t change, that no matter how he succeeded in life it would never be enough for her. Even the news of being a grandmother had failed to elicit a smile. She would never love him.

Far from repelling Alessandra, his mother’s behaviour had elicited her sympathy, her empathy: towards him.

He didn’t want her pity.

She was getting too close; he could feel it.

Any closer and she’d be able to see the gutter rat who lived in the blackness of his heart.

* * *

Christian’s driver dropped Alessandra back at the hotel before taking Christian to his offices.

A dozen more guests had arrived while they’d been at his mother’s house. It amazed her that so many super-wealthy and famous people were able to drop their commitments for what was essentially a free holiday, but surprisingly their presence worked in her favour, distracting her thoughts from their visit to Christian’s mother.

saw the laser glare of Elena Markos’s eyes

he had dragged himself out, turned it around and made something of himself only added to what had been a slowly growing admiration towards him.

large dose of guilt for forcing the issue, she was glad they’d gone. Her understanding of the

she actually knew, lazing by the pool, playing cards, drinking non-alcoholic cocktails. It

and relax when they went

the sunken bath, already looking forward

hadn’t thought of

her equilibrium when there

him change into that morning in his suite but with the tie removed and the

heart pump and her pulses race. Dio, the

let you know I’m going to New

‘Okay. When’s that?’

the airport in

effect of making her heart sink to her knees. ‘Are

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