Free Pandora's Box by Cristiane Serruya Page B

leave in the next hour, you’ll arrive just in time for her to talk and prepare Gabriela to receive them.”
    Alistair looked at his watch. “We’ll be in London no later than one o’clock. Davidoff, schedule a meeting for one-thirty at LO. Try for an agreement, welcoming both today. Settle on a three-hour visit to start with. Hmm… Two-thirty. At Atwood House, so Gabriela can adapt. No outings yet, but leave the possibility open as a sign of good will.” Sophia will never allow it.
    “Don’t you think Sophia should have a say in the matter?”
    Alistair could hear Edward’s surprise on the other side of the line. He had disliked Sophia’s father-in-law instantly, but had a better impression of his wife. “I’m sure Rose will be welcomed after the initial shock. Sophia will understand she has no other choice.”
    “Well, yeah. I’ll do my best. An agreement will surprise their lawyers and keep them off her for a while.” Edward hesitated for a heartbeat. “MacCraig. Broach the subject with care. Alberto has made her life hell for a long time now.”
    “Don’t worry. Draft the final agreement with a confidentiality clause. If they leak anything to the press, the deal is off.”
    Edward let out an irritated whistle. “You demand a lot, MacCraig. The lawyers said we don’t have much room to maneuver.”
    “I’ll be there with Leonard Allenthorp. We’ll get what we want.” He ended the call not entirely confident. Shit.
    He texted Muir to get the plane ready for them while they packed. He stepped onto the terrace trying to decide how to start telling her about Alberto, but Sophia wasn’t there anymore. “Sophia?”
    “I’m here.” Her voice came from the bedroom.
    He paused at the door frame, watching her swallow a pill and some water. “Headache?”
    “Forming.” She gave him a small smile when he sat by her side.
    It will get worse . “ Mo chridhe , we have to go back.”
    “Anything wrong at the bank?” she asked concerned, immediately raising from the bed to pack.
    “Nae.” He put his hands on her waist and seated her on his thigh. He turned her face to his and said softly, “Sophia, Gabriela is fine and no one is hurt. I don’t want you to get nervous.” Her face paled instantly. “But you’re needed back in London. Your in-laws—”
    “No!” Panic flared through her and she fisted his T-shirt in her hands. “No. I won’t let them take—”
    He put a finger on her lips. “Listen to me. They just want to see her. Davidoff is taking care of it. He is trying to set a private meeting with their lawyers—”
    “You don’t know him. He’s a manipulator, evil. He’s doing this out of spite. She… She’s terrified of him.”
    His arms went around her and she rested her head on his shoulder. “He may be. But you and Gabriela have a team by your side. Davidoff, Leonard, Tavish Uilleam, my father, all of your Cambridge friends, your lawyers. And, of course, leading them all, me. I’m sure Rose is innocuous. Put yourself in her shoes, Sophia.”
    “Rose, I can stand, but not him,” she whispered.
    “Both to start with. Hopefully, in time, he’ll lose interest in her.”
    “I will—”
    “Nae,” he stated firmly. “You’re not doing anything. Nothing. You have a steady home with a loving husband. You’re Sophia MacCraig now. I won’t let anyone touch a strand of your hair. Let alone hurt your feelings. There is nothing they can do to take Gabriela away from you.”
    “I’m not so sure…” But I don’t want to see him. I don’t want to open my house to the man that killed Gabriel. However, Sophia knew that they had her cornered now. She sighed, defeated. “I don’t want to see him. Every time I do, I lose it. I want to call him every foul word I know, to scratch his eyes out, to rip his beating heart out of his chest.”
    He almost smiled at the image she was drawing. “I’m going to the meeting on your behalf and I’ll be at your side when you meet them. Let