The Vendetta by Kecia Adams

Author:Kecia Adams [Adams, Kecia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, romantic suspense
ISBN: 9781936751662
Publisher: Etopia Press
Published: 2011-09-14T22:00:00+00:00

* * *

A mass of officials, journalists, and art lovers crowded outside the offices of Benedetto, Benedetto et Figli, which were situated in a discreet building just off the Via Vittorio Veneto. Lisa paused at the entrance, confused and overwhelmed by the presence of so many strangers. They pushed toward her when they saw her, casting out questions in English and Italian. Were all these people here about her grandmother’s will? She took an involuntary step back into the solid bulk of Nick’s body. His presence reassured her. She had not been prepared for sudden notoriety.

“Steady, carissima. They cannot harm you.” They moved into an inner office, shutting the door on the curious crowd of onlookers. Nick spoke quietly to the receptionist.

A young, curvaceous woman in a fabulous Missoni suit and Fendi pumps came through one of the office doors. Lisa raised her eyebrows. The woman looked like a movie star. Her long black hair spilled over her shoulders in an elegant dark fall, and her eyes were a striking blue. The woman flicked a brief glance at Nick but then focused on Lisa, her expression solemn.

“Ms. Lisa Schumacher?” She shook Lisa’s hand with a crisp professionalism at odds with her youthful appearance and flamboyant attire.

“Yes.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” said Lisa.

The woman turned to Nick and they exchanged cheek kisses and greetings. Lisa frowned.

“Allow me to introduce my cousin, Rafaela Benedetto,” Nick said smoothly. “She is the best lawyer in Rome.”

His cousin?

Rafaela frowned and shook her head at him. “We can save the family connections for another time, Niccolo.” She turned back to Lisa.

“Ms. Schumacher, I will be representing the Principessa Severino di Giorgio’s interests in the matter of her estate. And I will handle the reading of the will. Will you and Signore Carnavale come with me?” The lawyer’s English was flawless.

When Lisa hesitated, confused by the information that Gran’s lawyer was related to Nick, Ms. Benedetto put a gentle arm around her and guided her out of the reception room and down a long hallway. Lisa looked back in a reflex action to see if Nick followed and saw him trailing calmly behind her. The petite lawyer steered them into a large office graced by an enormous, polished wood conference table. When she closed the door, quiet descended abruptly. Lisa looked around at the floor to ceiling bookshelves that held row upon row of fat legal tomes in several languages.

Two men stood up at the end of the table.

The lawyer made an elegant gesture toward a short, rotund man with large, dark eyes. “May I make the introductions? This is my colleague and brother Signore Franco Benedetto.” She nodded to the taller man. “I believe you already know Her Excellency’s art curator and consultant, Mr. Peter Van Alstrand.”

Lisa acknowledged the two gentlemen and took the seat nearest Ms. Benedetto. Nick chose the seat next to Lisa, across from Van Alstrand.

“Good, we are all here,” said Rafaela Benedetto.

Peter Van Alstrand pointed at Nick. “Yes, but what is he doing here?”

His question startled Lisa.

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