Free Blackmailed by the Italian Billionaire by Nina Croft Page A

roof. “I thought we were on the top floor.”
    “We are. Come and look.”
    The roof garden was out of this world, not so much a garden as a conservatory, the whole place enclosed in glass with a fabulous view out over the city. Tropical plants ran rampant, crimson bougainvillea, hibiscus, and through the plants, she caught sight of the turquoise water of an infinity pool that seemed poised on the edge of the building. “You have a pool on your roof?”
    She walked toward it and bent down to trail her fingers through the warm water.
    “Feel free to swim,” Luc said.
    Lia turned to stare at him. He seemed to belong among the lush tropical splendor, his dark exotic beauty at home in such decadent surroundings. Lia shook her head; this level of wealth was beyond her imaginings. Suddenly, she had an urge to confront him, ask him what he did, where all this money came from. Before she could open her mouth, a noise erupted from among the plants. She jumped as a large ginger tomcat emerged and strolled toward Luc, ignoring Lia completely. He rubbed himself against Luc’s legs, a loud rumbling purr vibrating his whole body. Luc crouched down and picked him up, rubbing his head.
    “This is Murphy,” he said.
    “You have a cat. I’m surprised.”
    “I wouldn’t exactly say that. Murphy lives here. This is his domain, so if you want to spend time up here, you’d better make friends.”
    Lia shook her head. “I can’t believe you have a cat.”
    Luc grinned at her obvious bemusement. “Murphy was a stray. He sort of adopted me.”
    Lia could see now that the cat was a little worse for wear, one ear ripped and a scar down his nose. She reached out a hand and stroked him. Murphy rubbed his head against her hand.
    Luc smiled. The effect was devastating, and for a moment, Lia actually felt jealous of the cat, held in his arms. She pushed the thought away. That wasn’t going to happen—not again. But still, she found herself staring at him. He caught her gaze for a long moment then looked away.
    “Let’s finish the tour.” He lowered the cat to the floor.
    There was one room he didn’t show her, just waved a hand toward it. “That’s my office.”
    Lia glanced at the door. She was sure she could find out all about Luc Severino if only she could get in there. Wouldn’t that be good, she mused silently, get in there, find some incriminating evidence, and get the blackmailing bastard at his own game. She came out of her happy daydream to find Luc watching her, an amused expression on his face.
    “Don’t even try,” he drawled. “You’ll never get past the locks.”
    “I bet I could, if I wanted to.”
    “They only open with my thumbprint,” he said wagging his thumb.
    Lia was impressed—talk about high-tech—but she wasn’t going to let Luc see that. “I saw a film like that once, but it was eyeballs.”
    “A retinal scan.”
    “They got into that room,” she said with anticipatory relish, “by cutting his eyeballs out.”
    Luc laughed. “Bloodthirsty little thing, aren’t you? Remind me not to leave the carving knives out.”
    Despite herself, Lia laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try to get into your office. I told you, I was looking for information on my father that night. I’m not interested anymore, so your secrets are safe.” She gave him a suspicious look. “What have you got in there that’s so secret? Some sort of criminal plans?”
    He ignored her question and led her back into the living room.
    “Why don’t you sit down?”
    She avoided the cream leather sofa and perched instead on one of the chairs. He took a seat opposite. Lia peered around. “Anyway, there’s one important thing you’ve missed on this tour. Where are the cameras?”
    “You’re in danger of becoming paranoid, cara .”
    “Yeah, right. How can you say that when the only reason I’m here is because you got me into a compromising position and took photos of me? Who knows how many times you’ve done