Since when was Lazzaro such an expert on childbirth? Caitlyn thought, irritated. But clearly Antonia, in her present state, had no trouble voicing it!
‘You should know by now that I’m an expert on everything!’ Lazzaro responded. ‘I thought you weren’t due for another week.’ His fingers were tapping on his thigh as Antonia answered. ‘It’s just bad timing at this end—I can’t cancel this weekend. It’s been booked for ages.’
And Caitlyn watched—watched as he lied through his very white teeth, and didn’t even blush as he proceeded to lie a whole lot more.
‘I wish I could, Antonia, but there’s nothing I can do about it. You are to let me know the second there’s news. Good luck!’
Clicking off the phone, he handed it back to Caitlyn without a word—then turned again to the window as Caitlyn’s mind whirred like a merry-go-round. Oh, she’d heard Lazzaro lie to women—had lied to them on his behalf on more than a couple of occasions—but what she couldn’t fathom, what she was having trouble comprehending, was that he’d lie to his own sister. A sister who, over the past week or so, Caitlyn had spoken to. A sister he seemed genuinely fond of—his sister, who was clearly in labour.
He didn’t have to cancel this trip—they hadn’t even been expecting him!
Lazzaro could sense her disapproval, and for once it unnerved him—though his assistant’s approval was usually the last thing he required as he got on with the business of being a Ranaldi. Yet he was tempted to tap Jeremy on the shoulder and tell him to stop the car and let him out. He wanted out of the car and away from the bloody lot of them.
Tapping his fingers impatiently, Lazzaro dismissed the odd impulse. He didn’t really want to be alone with his thoughts today of all days. It wasn’t Caitlyn’s disapproval that was gnawing at him—it was his own dread and loathing.
He was trying to centre himself. It was as if he was surrounded by a million scattered compasses, and the needles which had hovered without direction for so long were suddenly settling, all homing in as the universe moved the world along, as everything aligned to bring things to an unwelcome head. A new life was coming into the world—a new life that meant his shattered family would have to meet, might talk…
That he might have to face the dead.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE entire day was to be exhausting.
Oh, the resort was fabulous—as they swept up the pebbled drive the lush green of the golf course was a rare sight after the long drought-filled summer. Water was spraying into the sun, and on appearance alone the temperature seemed surely to have dropped a few welcome degrees.
Before his sister’s telephone call, when Lazzaro had been capable of talking in more than single syllables, he’d explained that a lot of his overseas clients tired of the city and hotel life—no matter how luxurious—and often went away for the weekends. Lazzaro had shrugged. Why not ensure that their spending money went straight into his account?
The building was cool and welcoming as they entered—understated, yet utterly luxurious—and from the second they set foot into the cool, pale lobby, and were then shown to their luxury suites, Caitlyn could see why he wanted it!
Glancing at the vast white bed, it was all Caitlyn could do not to peel off her shoes and just collapse on top. She felt as if she’d worked a full day and it wasn’t even nine o’clock! Still, there was no time to feel sorry for herself. Brimming with energy, Lazzaro tapped on her door about eight and a half seconds later and set her to work.
If Caitlyn thought she’d seen him in action before, today he was absolutely formidable—interviewing key staff as Caitlyn took copious notes, scanning the books as the accountant coughed and fiddled under Lazzaro’s very direct line of questioning. Even lunch wasn’t relaxing. They’d barely been seated when Lazzaro took an impromptu tour of the kitchen, and then proceeded to order the one thing on the menu that wasn’t available.
‘You look pleased with yourself.’
‘I am…’ Lazzaro responded, swirling an asparagus head in butter, then popping it in his mouth. ‘Because, despite appearances, this place needs a lot of work.’