Innocent in the Italian's Possession Read Free Page B

was likely what his son had anticipated when he took over.
    At least she’d gotten the files out in time. She’d simply have to keep them hidden until Cesare returned. And she would guard them with her life.
    “Am I forbidden to visit him, as well?” she asked, worry seeping into her bones when she thought of the little girl waiting for Cesare in Milan.
    They couldn’t just abandon her now. If Cesare was unable to see to her care, then Gemma would have to do so for him. But first she’d have to get away from Stefano.
    That could prove difficult, considering he planned to take her away from here in the capacity of his personal assistant.
    “You may visit my father.” He stroked the chiseled line of his classically strong jaw with a thumb as if carefully considering her question. “After his surgery.”
    If she thought he was genuinely concerned about the older man’s health prior to the heart bypass, she’d not take this personally. But the hard glint in his eyes mirrored the undertone in his warning—one meant just for her. Could he know of her deep relationship with Cesare? Had he somehow discovered his papa’s secret?
    No, that was impossible. She and Cesare had been discreet to a fault. Cesare had doled out a fortune to ensure privacy at the hospital.
    Stefano was just throwing his weight around in hopes she would make a mistake. Well, it was time she reminded him that she worked for his papa first and him second.
    She got to her feet, still clutching her notepad like a shield. “Cesare wanted me to prepare a detailed list of the ships we are contracted to build during the next year. If you are through, I’d like to get started on it.”
    “This is to be included in the prospectus for the new stockholder?”
    “Yes,” she said, unsettled by the mesmerizing intensity of his eyes that seemed to look right through her.
    He lifted one broad shoulder in a careless shrug. “It can wait.”
    “No, it can’t,” she shot back. “Cesare made it clear that the paperwork must be completed today.”
    “I am telling you it can wait.”
    She threw a hand in the air, disgusted that Stefano wasn’t taking his papa’s wishes seriously. “You may not care if yourfather’s business flourishes or fails but I do. Until I hear otherwise, he is my boss, not you.”
    Gemma could have crawled under the table, for she’d never, never , let her emotions get the better of her until now. But Stefano Marinetti seemed to know what buttons to jab to push her over the edge. And wouldn’t that be a crime!
    If she walked out, Cesare would have nobody in his corner. He’d have to reveal his secret and face the consequences. And a little girl would be exposed and branded a bastard.
    Her shoulders slumped, for that realization was all it took for her to pull in her claws. She’d been the object of scorn before. She certainly wouldn’t wish it on another innocent. Besides, she’d given Cesare her word that she’d carry on with her role here.
    “Forgive my lack of manners,” she said.
    He toyed with a pen, and she had the distinct feeling he thoroughly enjoyed baiting his adversaries, especially her. God knew they were on opposite sides.
    She was Cesare’s personal secretary and loved her job and her boss. He was estranged from his father and had made no attempt to bridge the breach. Until now, when his papa was incapacitated.
    That bald fact instantly put her on the wrong side of Stefano. Was he here to help his papa, or did he have a personal agenda?
    “You are a fierce champion of my father,” he said.
    “I am simply doing my job.”
    “You are doing far more than that.”
    She didn’t delude herself into thinking he was handing out a compliment. She simply clung to the hope that he’d decide to hire a temporary secretary and release her to go about Cesare’s business uninterrupted.
    “You should know that I’m aware of why you refused to work for your father.”
    “And that reason would be?”
    She lifted her