Capri Nights (3 page)

The clench of Alex’s jaw was the only sign he’d noticed the snub.

“Ready to leave?” he asked Cat.

“More than ready. Let me get my purse.”

“I’ll wait for you out front in the car.”

Alex strode briskly away and Cat headed to her room. With her foot on the bottom step leading to the second floor, someone yanked on her arm, stopping her. Cat whirled to face Bailey. The fury flashing from the other woman’s eyes could light a room.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Bailey hissed.

“What are you talking about?”

“The prince belongs to me. He said you and he are leaving together.” Bailey jabbed a finger into Cat’s chest. “You tell him you’re not going anywhere with him.”

Flaring her nostrils, Cat grabbed Bailey’s finger and pushed it away. “Chill out, Bailey. You don’t tell me what to do.”

A rush of giddy joy that she’d finally talked back to Bailey threatened to lift Cat off the ground. Damn, she should have told Bailey off a long time ago.

With a spring to her steps, Cat raced up the stairs, leaving a red-faced Bailey behind.

A few minutes later, purse in hand, she got to the front door when she heard footsteps behind her.

“Caitlyn! I want to talk to you,” her father said.

Sheesh
. She’d never get out of this place.

“What?” She faced him.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Out with Alex.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Excuse me.”

“He’s not for you.”

She put her hand on her hip. “For God’s sake, you’re going to tell me he’s
reserved
for Bailey?”

“I don’t want him with Bailey either. Viteli is a possible felon, facing prison. I don’t want you mixed up with him.”

Prison? So not what she expected to hear. “Dad, if he’s a possible felon, why did you and Nolan invite him tonight? And why does she want to fix him up with Bailey?”

“Your stepmother invited him. She’s enthralled by Viteli’s heritage. If she can marry her daughter off to someone with royal blood, she doesn’t care if he’s the devil himself.”

Cat stared into her father’s blue eyes. “Cynical much? I don’t know what Alex has done, but he sure doesn’t act like a felon. Goodnight.”

As she hurried into the humid night, doubts stirred an anxious mix in her. Alex couldn’t be a criminal.

CHAPTER THREE

The engine running, Alex drummed his fingers on the steering wheel of his Ferrari as he waited for Cat. She came out of the house, walking with the sensuous grace he found so appealing, a sleek feline he’d like to make purr.

The heavy mantle of sadness that had covered him the past months lifted a little when he was with Cat. He wanted to absorb her innocence, and he wanted to know her, all of her—her thoughts, her likes, her dreams. He wanted to go back to a time when he trusted others. And when others trusted him.

Cat opened the car door and slid inside. “Let’s go.”

Her bright smile infused him with a sense of well-being he hadn’t felt in a long time.

The sleek Ferrari easily negotiated the narrow roads and hairpin turns. Driving the winding roads of Capri had always relaxed him, until recently. With Cat beside him, some of his stress dissolved into the starry night.

She threw back her head to stare at the sky, exposed by the open top of the car. “My God, even the sky is more beautiful here than anywhere else. I’ve never seen so many stars, like diamonds strung across black velvet.”

She sat straighter as the three rocks that formed
Faraglioni
came into view. They thrust through the water, sentries that had guarded Capri since the dawn of time. “Amazing,” she breathed. “I visited Capri once after college to see my friend Angelina who lives here. I loved Capri then. But it seems so much more magical now.”

He shot her a teasing grin. “That’s because you’re with me.”

She laughed, a joyous sound that arrowed straight to his heart.

*****

They were quiet on the rest of the ride down to the center of Capri. Cat sank into the buttery leather seat and stared out the window at the raw beauty of Capri’s cliffs and valleys. She could live here in this paradise with its perfume and flowers, surrounded by the calming waters of the gulf, and Vesuvius, a sleeping giant rising majestically over it all.

She slanted a glance at Alex. He gripped the steering wheel, his concentration on the road. His hawk-like profile and firm chin spoke of strength. She couldn’t believe he could be a felon, but she had to know the truth.

Alex found a parking spot on one of the narrow side streets. With his hand on the small of Cat’s back, he guided her along the cobblestones. The stilettos she wore made walking on the uneven streets difficult. She didn’t care. She felt sexy and beautiful, even desirable. And she’d relish every minute.

“The food at your parents’ was good, but I didn’t eat much,” Alex said.

“Neither did I.”

“Then, we will eat.”

He led her to a small restaurant tucked away from the tourist mob. As they entered the courtyard where white-clothed tables were set out, a middle-aged man wearing a tuxedo came rushing from the interior of the restaurant. “Sandro,
amici miei
.” He shook Alex’s hand then turned a curious gaze to Cat.

“Ernesto, friend,” Alex said in English. “This is
Signorina
Cat Connors.”

Bowing slightly, Ernesto said, “
Buonasera, signorina
. Any friend of Sandro’s is welcome here.”

“Thank you,” she said.

Ernesto rubbed his hands together, then snapped his fingers, summoning one of the waiters, who came running over. “Show my friends to their table. For my good friend and his lady, bring my best bottle of wine.”

As they waited for their food and enjoyed the rich red wine, Cat flattened her palms on the table and leaned in. “Alex, I need to ask you something.”

“Okay.”

She swallowed, shoring up her courage. Now that she’d opened the door, she had to go through. “Before I left tonight, my father told me something disturbing about you. Is it true you might go to prison?”

Darkness shadowed his eyes but his gaze never left hers. “It is true.”

Straightening, she gripped the table edge. “It is?”

“But I am not guilty. You must believe me.”

“Everyone says they’re not guilty. I want to hear your story.”

He finished off his wine and plunked the glass back onto the table. A waiter hurried over and refilled his drink.

“My family owns diverse corporations all over Europe,” he began. “I work for one of our financial companies in Rome. My father and uncle built it up from nothing. My father died several years ago, leaving me his shares of the company. I ran it with my Uncle Giuseppe and my cousin Camillo.”

Alex raked fingers through his hair, messing it, then smoothing it over. He took a long drink of his wine and set the glass away from him. When he met Cat’s gaze again, his eyes were flat as if drained of emotion. “Last year I discovered my uncle and cousin had been cheating our clients, much like your Mr. Madoff, for years. I urged them to return the money they’d stolen, but they wouldn’t. I did the only thing I could. I reported them to the authorities.”

Cat placed her hand over his on the table. “You did the right thing.”

His bitter laugh hovered over them. “My family doesn’t think so. We are to stick together and lie for each other if necessary.”

“I’m sorry, Alex.” She frowned. “I don’t understand why you’re in trouble with the law.”

“My uncle and cousin planted evidence in our computers that implicated my father and me as the perpetrators of the crime.” Alex’s lips tightened into a thin line. “A judicial panel is reviewing the information now. I couldn’t let my father’s good name be destroyed. I’ve been fighting to clear his name and mine, and to restore our company.”

He grasped her hand. “It is important you believe me. Many of my friends have turned against me. Ernesto is one of the few who has been loyal.”

“I noticed some of the guests tonight at Nolan’s party snubbed you.”

“I don’t care about them. But I do care what you think of me.”

The sincerity and hope in Alex’s eyes and voice wrapped around her heart. “I believe you.” And she did. She’d always had good instincts, and they were now screaming that Alex was telling the truth.

He released an audible sigh. “Thank you.”

Waiters, followed by Ernesto, carried food to their table then. Alex freed her hand and they prepared to enjoy their meal.

The scrumptious dinner over, Cat put her napkin on the table. “That was the most amazing meal I’ve ever eaten, especially the gnocchi with fresh-shaved truffles.”

Settling back in her chair, she sipped her wine. The meal had indeed been amazing, but not just for the food. They didn’t talk again about Alex’s legal or family troubles. Instead, he’d entertained her with stories of his childhood spent in his family’s villa on Capri and at their apartment in Rome. His amusing stories made her laugh and warmed her like the elegant wine they’d shared. It felt good to laugh and forget she still had to deal with her stepfamily.

“I think your story about you and your cousin Vincenzo getting stuck on that hillside trying to rescue the goat was the funniest.” She chuckled. “The goat walked away and you two were trapped there.”

“Vincenzo and I always found creative ways to get into trouble. I’m an only child so he was like a brother to me.”

She sighed with contentment. “Thank you for the meal. I’m going to suggest we serve gnocchi and truffles at the restaurant where I’ll be working. I think it will be a hit.” And she’d score points with her new boss by suggesting the luscious dish.

“Your family must be proud you are a chef,” Alex said.

“Unfortunately, that’s not the case.” Cat pushed her empty glass aside. “My father wanted me to go into law and work for his company. My great-grandfather founded the firm. I wanted to please my dad so I went to law school and passed the California bar.” She picked up her napkin and twisted the ends around her finger.

“The day I started at the firm, I applied to culinary school. I’ve always loved to cook, and the thought of sitting behind a desk all day to please my father broke something inside me. When I was accepted at culinary school, I gave up trying to earn my dad’s love and acceptance. I finally grew up.”

Alex’s gaze softened. “Your father does not accept you or your choices? Family is very important. I have always tried to do what mine wanted, even convincing myself I loved the woman they selected for me.”

Cat widened her eyes. “Your family chose a wife for you?”

“Sadly, yes.”

“That’s medieval. Who does that?” She winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound judgmental.”

He gave a snort of dismissal. “It’s okay.”

Cat rested her elbows on the table. “What happened to the woman?”

“When my troubles started, she left me for a French race car driver in Monte Carlo.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about me. You are much more
simpatico
than she was. I would rather be with you.”

His words warmed her like the flame from the candle set in the middle of their table.

“You’re very charming. You know that, don’t you?” She wondered how much of his charm was real. Whenever he spoke to her, sincerity tinged his voice, and his clear eyes gleamed with intelligence and honesty.

“I like you, Cat. You are very sweet. And of course, beautiful.”

She laughed. “Yes, you are
very
charming.”

“Now that you know the truth about me, will you spend the day with me tomorrow? I’ll show you more of my island.”

She chewed her lip. There’d be no harm in spending time with him. “I’d love to.”

CHAPTER FOUR

“I want to talk to you.” The next morning, Bailey, wearing a tiny thong bikini that exposed her well-toned buttocks and barely held her implants, strolled onto the patio where Cat was finishing her breakfast. The rest of the family still slept.

Cat was glad she’d already eaten, or her appetite would have fled with Bailey’s arrival. She threw her napkin onto the table and stood. “We have nothing to talk about.”

Malice shot from Bailey’s green eyes. “Stay away from Prince Sandro. A plain Jane like you can’t handle him. He deserves someone hot like me.”

Cat walked around the table and got in Bailey’s face, invading her space. “Give me a break. First, he’s not a prince. It’s not a title he uses. His name is Alex and he’s a nice guy. I like him. He doesn’t belong to you. Now, if you’ll excuse me,
Alex
will be here any minute. We have a date.”

Cat pivoted on her heel and flounced out of the room.

As if on cue, the butler met her as she walked through the dining room. “
Signor
Viteli
is here for S
ignorina
Connors.”

Knowing she’d see Alex in a few seconds made her pulse jump up a notch, and she hurried out to the entry hall. Alex stood with his back to her. She stopped and admired his long, muscular form. Sexy and masculine in black jeans and a tan shirt, the sleeves rolled up to expose the fine golden hairs on his muscled arms, he oozed testosterone. Her mouth went dry.