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‘Stella—’ her naivety annoyed him at times ‘—she’s behind this.’

‘You’re being ridiculous. Donatella’s been wonderful. It was a mix-up.’

‘Why do you give others the benefit of the doubt?’

‘And why do you rush to a guilty verdict? What on earth would she stand to gain?’

To him it was obvious.

‘She wants me.’

‘Oh, we all want you, Gabe,’ she said sarcastically. ‘God, the ego really has landed.’

‘I’m going back.’

‘You’re not staying for the filming?’ she checked, disappointed—ready to tell him, just not sure how. ‘Do you mean back to the palazzo or back to Milan?’

‘The palazzo for now. I’ve already told Daisy; I’m leaving at six tomorrow morning,’ he said, then turned on his sarcastic best. ‘I’ll ask my pilot to try and not make too much noise.’

‘Can we meet?’ She licked nervous lips. ‘Tonight.’ Her eyes flashed to his, and he met them. ‘Please.’

He couldn’t believe she’d flirt with him when pregnant with another man’s baby. Perhaps she thought he couldn’t tell?

‘You’ve got a nerve, Stella.’

‘No, you’ve got a nerve!’ Her voice rose and she saw Daisy’s head turn and knew she had to contain herself. ‘Gabe, I need to speak to you before you leave.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’ve got something to tell you.’

‘Fine.’ His response was surly.

‘Can we go somewhere when I’ve finished up here?’

He was about to nod, to reluctantly agree. Reluctant because he really didn’t want to hear about his successor, find out her happy news.

And what sort of bastard did that make him if he didn’t want her to be happy?

‘Tomorrow,’ he conceded.

‘But you’re flying off at six.’

‘Then you’d better set your alarm.’

‘Stella!’ Damon shrilled.

‘We’ll speak tomorrow.’ He nodded, about to turn away, and he wished he had, because then he saw it, a big tear roll down her cheek.

And she’d never cried, and tears never worked on him, but that one single tear gutted him, for he had left it too late.

Yet the want was there still.

He wanted to wrap her in his arms and just take her away from here. Lose himself again in her body, drown in her eyes.

Safer that they didn’t meet tonight.

‘Tomorrow,’ he said.

The lights were on, the engines were revving, and he did not want to stay for this car crash scene.

Or hear her news now.