‘How I’d love to know the truth, but as you show no sign of sharing your version of it any time soon—’
‘My version of it?’ she exclaimed. ‘And now you’re leaving?’
‘Why should I stay?’ Cesar demanded from the door.
‘Please, I—’
‘You what?’ he said coldly.
‘Please listen to me,’ she begged softly. ‘I needed that money for my retreat.’
‘Which I already knew. I thought you had something new to say.’
‘I was invited to submit an article to a well-known newspaper.’
‘A scandal sheet,’ Cesar derided. ‘And that’s not news to me.’
‘Read by millions,’ she countered firmly.
He dismissed this with an indifferent gesture.
‘That means it paid well,’ she explained. ‘I don’t expect you to understand what it feels like to be short of money.’
‘Oh, really?’ Cesar demanded cuttingly. ‘That only shows how little you know me.’
And how would she ever learn, when Cesar was notoriously reserved about his past? ‘I can’t pretend to have suffered as a child,’ she admitted, ‘Which was why it was so hard for Xander when our parents were killed. We had an idyllic childhood, and you think that’s going to go on for ever. I never imagined it could end so abruptly.’
‘Yet you suffered this loss, and went on to discard the principles your parents must have instilled in you. How could you do that, Sofia, just to raise money? I find it hard to believe that, with the Acosta name behind you, banks didn’t flock to help. Or was it glory you were seeking? To see your name in print at any cost?’
‘The banks had already helped as much as they were prepared to. I’d reached my limit,’ she explained. ‘I thought it would be easy to write an article with mass appeal—no details, no scandal, just a taste of the glamour that follows you and my brothers around. I didn’t see any harm in it—’
‘Until it was too late?’ Cesar interrupted. ‘By which time you had banked the money.’ He held up his hand when she started to explain. ‘For the sake of the charities we must move past that. Including you in the team will swell the crowds. They’ll come to see how things have worked out between us, so we’ll put on an act as we have done tonight. It shouldn’t be so difficult. We’ve had our dress rehearsal, but don’t ever mistake good manners for forgiveness. Do I make myself clear?’
‘Perfectly.’
‘Then I’ll bid you goodnight.’
The ringing silence inside the pavilion seemed to last long after Cesar had gone. They were no closer to understanding each other than they had been at the start of the evening, but she had exposed how she felt about Cesar, only for him to turn and walk away.
CHAPTER SIX
TEAM LOBOS AND their associated staff left Rome for Cesar’s breeding and training ranch in the far north west of Italy the day after the banquet. There were no unnecessary frills in this residence, though everything was of the highest quality. The facility was entirely dedicated to the well-being of the horses. As well as countless other animals, Cesar allowed as a pack of his favourite dogs circled his legs, looking for fuss and for treats. He didn’t disappoint them. Kneeling down so he was at their level, he lavished affection on his most loyal friends.
‘You still have some admirers, I see...’
His hackles rose at the sound of Sofia’s voice. She was like a cork that never stayed down for long.
‘Ready for battle?’
This was the far more welcome voice of Sofia’s brother Dante. ‘Dante!’
He sprang up and they embraced fiercely. The other Spanish Acosta brothers took their turns. Fearless, and loyal to a fault, it was a shame their sister failed to share the same brand of loyalty.
He stood back. ‘You all know my sister Olivia...’ Olivia raised a laugh as she gave a mock bow. ‘And Jess, Dante’s wife.’ At his prompt, an attractive redhead joined Cesar and Dante in the centre of the arena. ‘Jess is also a top-flight physiotherapist and trainer, and I know we’re all going to enjoy her punishing exercises.’
Jess acknowledged the chorus of catcalls with a lopsided grin. ‘Thank you for the glowing recommendation, but we have to win the tournament before I believe your praise. Until then, all I can promise is hard, relentless training.’ She waited for the comic groans to die down before revealing, I’ll be working in tandem with another person here... Sofia...?’
As Sofia stepped forward, Cesar ground his teeth. What the hell?
