Free To Love Again by Danielle Steel Page B

store has remained every bit as exclusive as it was before, yet it benefits from being part of a much larger organization, more extensive funding to draw on, greater resources. Business-wise, the system is brilliant.
    Then congratulate them for me. And tell them to go screw. What do they think? That San Gregorio is some little Italian department store to add to their chain? Don't be absurd, Bernardo. What they're doing has nothing to do with us.
    On the contrary. It could have everything to do with us. It gives us an international feeding system for all other lines, production facilities, mass marketing if we want it, for the colognes, the soap. It's a top-ranking operation and would fit in perfectly for all our main lines.
    You're out of your mind. She looked at him and laughed nervously. Are you actually suggesting that I sell to them? Is that what this is all about?
    He hesitated for only a fraction of a second and then nodded, fearing the worst. It was quick to come. Are you mad? She was shrieking at him and rapidly got to her feet. Is that what that bullshit was about this morning? About how tired I look? How thin? What is it, Bernardo? Are they offering you an enormous fee if you can talk me into it? Greed, everyone is motivated by greed, like the ' those' . She choked on the words, thinking of Amadeo's kidnappers, and turned away quickly to hide a sudden dew of tears. I don't want to discuss this. She stood with her back to him, looking out the window, unconsciously searching for Amadeo's car. It had already been sold.
    Behind her Bernardo's voice was surprisingly quiet. No one is paying me a fee, Isabella. Except you. I know it's too soon for you to think about this. But it makes sense. It is the next obvious step for the business. Now.
    What does that mean? She wheeled to face him, and he was pained to see the tears still in her eyes. Do you think Amadeo would have done this? Sold out to some commercial monster in America? To a corporation? An F-B and an IHI, and a God-knows-what-else. This is San Gregorio, Bernardo, San Gregorio. A family. A dynasty.
    It is a empire with an empty throne. How long do you really think you can manage this? You'll die of exhaustion before Alessandro comes of age. And not even that. You run the same risk that Amadeo did and so does Alessandro. You know what's happening in Italy now. What about you? What if something happens to you? How constantly can you keep yourself guarded, every time you go in or out, or stand up or sit down.
    For as long as I have to. It will die down. You actually think selling out is the answer? How can you even say that after what you've put into it, after what you've built with us, after' . Again the tears filled her eyes.
    I'm not betraying you, Isabella. He fought for control. I'm trying to help you. There's no other answer for you except to sell out. They're talking about enormous sums of money. Alessandro would be an immensely rich man. But he knew as he said it that that wasn't the key.
    Alessandro will be what his father was. The head of the House of San Gregorio. Here. In Rome.
    If he's still alive. The words were spoken softly, with a film of anger.
    Stop it! Stop! She stared at him, her hands trembling, her face suddenly contorted into a hideous frown. Stop saying that! Nothing like that will ever happen again. And I won't sell out Ever. Tell those people no! That's all, that's final. I don't want to hear the offer. I don't want you to discuss anything with them. In fact I forbid you to talk to them!
    Christ, women! Don't be a fool. Bernardo shouted, We do business with them. And in spite of your asinine restrictions IHI is still one of our biggest accounts.
    Cancel it.
    I won't.
    I don't give a damn what you do, damn you. Just leave me alone!
    This time it was Isabella who slammed out of the room and took refuge in Amadeo's office next door. Bernardo sat in hers for only a moment, then retreated to his own quarters down the hall. She was a fool. He knew