Free The Exiled Jeweler: a contemporary romance novel (The Rosa Legacy Book 2) by Susie Warren Page B

grown woman and he is quite a catch. I don’t think your parents would be upset.”
    She imagined her parents learning that it was Alex in the photographs. They wouldn’t be horrified but would probably be upset with her for keeping it a secret.
    “You don’t know them. They were mortified.”
    “Maybe that is why Berceto has fallen off the radar. I looked back at old campaigns when your grandfather was in charge and they were glamorous and often featured movie stars.”
    Emilia scanned through the photographs that Liv had assembled on her tablet. The conversation moved to the various campaigns, and it was true—over the last twenty years, only the jewelry was showcased, not the people who wore it.
    After an hour of conversation about the new launch, Emilia hugged Liv and said goodnight.
    Driving the short distance to her grandfather’s house. Emilia thought about Alex. She slipped in through the separate entrance and pulled open her laptop.
    Glancing around the familiar surroundings, she attempted to clear her mind. Somehow the survival of Berceto infiltrated every thought she had. She smiled to herself when she acknowledged that Alex also occupied much of her reflections, but she was able to keep thoughts of him on the sidelines. He would be her downfall if she allowed it. He would take over Berceto in a heartbeat and change everything she had worked toward.
    As she got ready for bed, she steeled herself to see him again. Berceto needed cash for the new launch and she would need to auction some of their heirloom pieces to make that happen. Some of the pieces had been in the family for more than fifty years. She knew if she sent anyone else, Alex would deny the request. Why did he feel the need to push her buttons? Did he think that she would give up?
     
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    Emilia barely slept, obsessing most of the night about Alex Armati. Maybe she should allow herself to let her guard down and get to know him.
    Watching the sun rise, she climbed out of bed frustrated, put on her running clothes and went for a five-mile run. She pushed her body at a punishing pace as she tried to dispel the worry that clung to her.
    After a shower and dressing in a grey straight skirt and pink sleeveless blouse, she checked her email while she waited for her grandfather to wake up.
    When she saw movement on the patio, she gathered her workbag, slipped on heels and went to speak with him.
    Approaching the terraced area by the slate pool, Emilia said, “You are looking well, Nonno .”
    “It’s because you have come home.” His kind eyes caught hers and he smiled broadly. Her grandfather was a vibrant, good-looking man with a sharp mind.
    Taking a sip of the strong espresso Cecilia placed in front of her, she said, “It may also be the rest and the good food.”
    After a few moments of silence, her grandfather asked, “You’ve uncovered the issues?”
    She nodded. “Why didn’t you explain it to me?”
    She saw the heaviness of defeat settle around his shoulders. “Emilia, the business issues are complex and there are many ways to approach a solution. The problem I created with my two sons is that I was always telling them what to do and how to handle problems. I should have let them fail occasionally.”
    She thought about her parents and how hard they worked, even thoughtthough the fear of failure was lingering at all times in the background. They couldn’t bear to make a mistake
    “But you stepped back five years ago and they have had free reign to make changes.”
    Her grandfather dismissively waved his hands. “It was too late. They were already fearful of making mistakes or taking risks.”
    There were many factors against Berceto, but other businesses survived poor management decisions or a bad economy.
    She caught her grandfather’s steady gaze. “Uncle James threw up his hands and walked away two days ago.”
    He nodded. “He called me. In truth, it will be easier for you to change the direction of the