We’ll put you in as CEO.
She started when Micha placed his hand on her arm.
‘Is everything okay?’ he asked, concern clear in his gaze.
‘No, I don’t think it is.’
Micha remained tight-lipped on the car journey back to the villa as she told him that a vote of no confidence was being called tomorrow.
He said nothing to her. Absolutely nothing. But he called his assistant to make arrangements for the jet to meet them at the airport and take them back to Rome immediately. She looked across the car to where Micha sat, grim faced and lock jawed staring out of the window. If she told him about her father’s offer, it would only make things worse.
The car drew up to the villa and he got out, and although he came round to her side of the car, and held the door open for her, his gaze roamed everywhere but on her.
She wanted to know what he was thinking. What he was feeling. And for the first time in her life, shehatedGallo Group. Hated what it did to her family. Hated how it made everyone and everything around her so desperate and selfish.
How it madeherfeel desperate and selfish.
Because she couldn’t deny that a part of her saw how much she wanted it. For years it was all she’d wanted. The company. To show what she could do. To prove herself, to her family. To her father. To Gio. Toherself.
But at what cost?
She followed Micha into the villa, and through to the living room, disconcerted when Micha turned to stare at her intently.
‘What?’ she asked.
‘Did your father say anything else? When he told you about the no-confidence vote?’
Maria paused, her heart throbbing painfully in her chest.
‘No,’ she lied.
And then she saw it. The knowledge. The betrayal. And she wished to god that she could call her words back.
He shook his head, and turned away from her in disgust.
‘Micha—’
‘Do you really believe I’m so stupid as to not realise what he’s offered you in exchange for your vote against me? There is no one in the company even remotely suitable for the president and CEO seat other than you. He’s offered you the role.’
‘And you think I’ll take it? You think I’d choosethatoveryou?’ she demanded outraged.
‘Of course I do! You did then.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Maria asked, confusion blooming in her heart and head.
‘Eleven years ago, the day Gio told me he was sending me to Paris. When I came to see you. We were on the lawn, remember?’
No, she didn’t remember. All she remembered was the shock and hurt of confusion. The agony that had threatened to swallow her whole after he’d left without a word. She—
I have to ask you something.
The smell of grass and the feel of the sun on her skin.
What would you do to become head of this company? If Gio offered it to you?
Anything. You know that.
Her stomach dropped, plummeting to the ground.
