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This could be the diversion she’d been looking for, and the perfect way to get Davide Bruno’s attention.

Out in the gardens, the air was cold but the view across the lagoon was stunning. Marco wasn’t looking at the scenery; he inspected the helipad with a critical eye, bending down to check the state of the concrete surface. Then he stood up and frowned, turning round to look at the hotel in the distance. With its white stucco exterior and detailed stonework, it had the appearance of an elaborate wedding cake.

Marco opened his mouth to speak when Brad’s phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the number.

‘Sorry, guys, I need to take this,’ Brad apologized, striding off ahead through the extensive gardens.

‘That was convenient,’ Edoardo said snarkily, as he and Marco followed Brad along a flagstone walkway flanked by oleander bushes. Magnolia trees reached up to the azure sky, pink and white buds blossoming on every branch.

‘What was?’

‘Finding a babysitter like that.’

‘It was very nice of Issy to offer.’

‘Lucky for you. It doesn’t look very professional, does it, turning up to Brad Redford’s hotel suite with an eight-year-old autograph hunter in tow?’

‘She’s my daughter, Edoardo. What am I supposed to do – leave her at home by herself? Rosina is never ill, so she must be really unwell to call in sick.’

‘It’s not “bring your kid to work” day, is it? It doesn’t look great for us as a company. Don’t forget, it’s my name above the door, not yours.’

‘How could I forget that?’ Marco said, biting his tongue. He loved his job, but he didn’t always love his business partner.

‘I don’t know what the hell my father was doing, putting you in charge of the family company,’ Edoardo pressed, bitterness and anger written across his features.

Marco opened his mouth to retort, then closed it again, letting the remark pass. He knew that Edoardo was jealous and upset, his pride wounded, but that didn’t make it any easier for Marco to deal with his bitter comments.

The air was thick with tension as they drew closer to the hotel, passing through a secluded courtyard decorated with statutes of Roman gods and goddesses. Suddenly, Edoardo seemed to have a change of heart, snapping out of his bad mood as quickly as it had arrived.

‘Gina’s pretty hot, don’t you think?’ Edoardo said, with a sly grin on his face, his eyes drifting over a naked sculpture of Aphrodite.

Marco frowned. ‘Your brain’s in your pants as usual then?’

Edoardo rolled his eyes. ‘Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about what she’d look like without that sexy suit …’

‘Edoardo,’ Marco sounded irritated. ‘We’re here to work.’

‘I bet she’s got a dirty side.’

‘Edoardo, shut up.’

‘Oh, lighten up, stop being so up your own ass.’

Marco’s lips clamped together in a tight line, a vein pulsing in his neck. He looked furious. Edoardo either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

‘I think I might ask Gina out on a date,’ Edoardo said lightly, watching his brother-in-law closely for his reaction.

Marco raised his eyebrows, his voice carefully controlled when he spoke. ‘Do what you’ve got to do. Just make sure your personal life doesn’t impact on this job.’

‘Do you think she’ll say yes? Or do you think she has a boyfriend?’

‘I wouldn’t know.’ Marco sounded exasperated as they headed back into the hotel. Just ahead of them, they could hear Brad finishing up his call. ‘Now, please, get your head in the game.’

‘You don’t have to lecture me on being professional,’ Edoardo shot back. ‘You know what? You can deal with this yourself – I’ll see you back at the office.’ And he stormed off across the hotel lobby, leaving Marco feeling quietly relieved.

Chapter 9

‘And this is our grand ballroom. Isn’t it spectacular?’ Gina said, watching Daniela’s eyes widen as she took in the profusion of gilt and the dramatic ceiling frescoes. Even Issy seemed impressed, and Gina knew she’d visited this room a dozen times with Brad, as it would feature in the movie.