Cesare would never sign anything without reading and understanding it himself. ‘You left it to them? They explained it all to you?’
That didn’t fit with his memory. There’d been changes made just before the meeting. He’d watched old Calogero read that section carefully before passing it to her to sign. ‘Or are you saying you signed it without understanding it?’
Surely that wasn’t normal for a gold-digger?
Abruptly she shifted, pulling her coat closer.
‘What do you care, Cesare? I signed your all-important prenup, so you’re safe. I’m not going to take you to the cleaners with this divorce.’ She huffed out a breath. ‘But I’m not signing this until it’s translated. I could be signinganything!’ He opened his mouth, but before he could speak she went on. ‘I want an English copy, not for someone to read the Italian and explain what it means.’
She thought he was trying to dupe her? That he’d lie about the contents?
His hackles rose. The Brunettis did not do business that way. He was neither a bully nor a criminal like her grandfather.
Which means you respect her right to sign a document she can understand.
‘So be it.’
He finished his drink and slammed the glass down, glancing at his watch. It was well into the early hours of the morning.
‘It will take some time to get a translation.’
Ida nodded, rising in one supple movement. ‘Call me when—’
‘No, Ida.’ Cesare was beside her in a moment. ‘You’ll wait here until the translation’s made.’
‘I beg your pardon?’
Her freezing tone would have done an empress proud.
‘You don’t think I’m letting you out of my sight before you sign on the dotted line? Not with your record of vanishing without warning.’
Ida’s head tipped back as she met his eyes. Even in these teetering heels she didn’t come near his height. He was taller, physically stronger and had a brooding air of ruthlessness that made her blood slow in her veins to a heavy, warning beat.
‘You really mean it!’
He inclined his head. ‘I never say things I don’t mean.’
‘You know where I live. I’m not going anywhere.’
He shook his head. ‘I learned my mistake with you in Rome. I won’t make the same mistake twice.’
Ida rubbed her arms through the thin coat. ‘That makes no sense. I want a divorce too. I won’t disappear.’
‘So you say.’ His words fell like lead weights in the thickened atmosphere. ‘But I’m taking no chances.’
He didn’t believe her.
Ida smoothed her coat down, at the same time drawing herself taller. ‘You’re not the only one who isn’t in the habit of saying what they don’t mean. I don’t lie.’ She paused but saw no softening in that sharp stare. ‘Anyway, I have to work.’
‘You’ve just finished work.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘I have two jobs.’ More than two, actually. And though Jo had taken on some of her night cleaning shifts while she’d filled in for Jo at the bar, Ida still worked through the day.
‘Tell them you’ll be in the next day instead.’
As if! Her work was cash in hand. No sick days or time off. She worked hard and did a good job, but if her clients thought her unreliable they’d get someone else.
‘This isn’t worth arguing about.’ Ida belted her raincoat. ‘I can be back here around three in the afternoon. Will that give you time to get the translation?’