Free The Italian Inheritance by Louise Rose-Innes Page A

inheritance, despite what you may think.”
    “How would you feel about a DNA test?”
    Anna answered without hesitation . “Sure, why not? I’ve tried every other scenario to get you to believe me. If that’s what needs to be done, then fine. At least it would be ‘concrete proof’, right?”
    Rafael nodded. “You can’t get more concrete than DNA.”
    A DNA test would solve everything. The only problem was this was Capri. These things took time. Anna would have to give a sample. That sample would have to be analysed, then compared to Giovanni’s and finally, a result delivered. They were looking a t a m inimum of one week.
    Rafael studied Anna who was sitting bolt upright in the leather chair, her clear blue eyes fixed on his face. They didn’t waver.
    Was she a fake? He wished he knew for sure. Not only had she not let anything slip last night, but she was willing to do a DNA test so she must really believe she was Giovanni’s daughter. Rafael knew there was no way one could fake a paternity test.
    He couldn’t discount the fact that she may truly be Giovanni’s legitimate heir. The consequences of that was something he didn’t want to think about just yet.
    Last night had been an emotional wake-up call. Rafael couldn’t remember when last he’d felt so alive. That kiss! Where had all that passion had come from?  She’d certainly surprised him. The problem was, now all he could think about was kissing her again.
    If he hadn’t been so floored by what had happened, he would have taken her straight upstairs to her hotel room. B ut such was his astonishment—and hers—t hat they’d simply stared at each other until Anna had cut the night short, saving them both from their confusion.
    Even now, right here in his office, he wanted to peel off that flimsy dress and feel her soft skin and taste her luscious lips once again. Except this time it wouldn’t stop there. Rafael knew instinctively that making love to Anna would be an experience like none other. If that kiss was anything to go by... But he couldn’t think like that right now. He had a job to do and he needed to be focused. Giovanni’s legacy was at stake.
    “How did you become so jaded anyway?” asked Anna catching him unawares.
    “What do you mean?” Rafael dragged his thoughts back to reality.
    “You’re so cynical? It’s not normal to question everything and everyone all the time. Don’t you trust anyone at all?”
    Rafael shrugged. “No. Not many people are worthy of my trust. You have to earn trust. It takes time. ”
    Anna cocked her head to the side. “Can’t be much fun being you . Not everyone is out to deceive you, you know. There are honest people in the world.”
    Rafael laughed. A dry, humourless sound. “You wouldn’t say that if you grew up where I did.”
    She looked at him contemplatively. “ How about Giovanni? Did you trust him? ”
    Rafael only hesitated for a second. “Yes,” he said. “Giovanni was an honourable man.”
    “I’m glad he was there for you ,” she said quietly .
    “ Why did you ask me that?” enquired Rafael curiously.
    “Obviously you have... had a special bond with him. I’m not sure how , but there was some sort of relationship between you two, and I don’t mean lawyer and client.”
    Rafael frowned. “I told you, he was my mentor.”
    “Yes. Yes , you did,” Anna acknowledged, chewing on her lip. “Except he left you ten million dollars which suggests something more... fatherly?”
    At Rafael’s surprised expression Anna knew she’d hit the nail on the head. “He’s your father too, isn’t he?”
    Then a disastrous thought struck her. She gasped, hands flying to her face. “Oh , my God ! T hat means ... I kissed my half-brother!” She peeked at him through her fingers, afraid to look at him in the face.
    “Adopted brother,” cut in Rafael, his eyes glowing softly. “You don’t need to panic. G iovanni adopted me when I was nine years old. He took me in, educated me and