Seduced by the Tycoon at Christmas Read online

  “You helped us save Casa Di Moda, and we’re forever in your debt. You’re our family, Zoe, and we’d never do the things you’re accusing us of. How could we? If not for you and the rest of our amazing staff, we would have lost everything.” Standing, his arms outstretched, Davide crossed the room toward her. “We’ll get through this together. I promise.”

  The couple wrapped their arms around her. Zoe’s throat closed up and water filled her eyes, blurring her vision. She felt guilty for yelling at her boss, ashamed of herself for ever thinking that Aurora and Davide would screw her over. She quickly apologized for her assumptions.

  Davide wore a sympathetic smile. “Don’t sweat it. We all make mistakes.”

  “Romeo dumped me,” she croaked, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her beige cardigan. “He thinks I released information about his health...but I didn’t...now he hates me.”

  Aurora cupped Zoe’s face in her hands. “Don’t talk like that. Romeo’s just upset. Give him time. Once the media storm dies down, he’ll realize breaking up with you was a mistake.”

  “When? He won’t take my calls or respond to my texts. It’s killing me inside.”

  “Don’t worry, Zoe. He’ll come to his senses. Romeo loves you, and he wants a future with you,” Davide said with assurance. “I know it’s hard, but be patient with him. He’s going through a lot right now. I bet he’s just as upset as you are.”

  Zoe considered Davide’s words and smiled through her tears. “Look at me, I’m a mess.”

  “You sure are!” Aurora said, making a face. “You better hurry up and get yourself together because time is of the essence. Your goddaughter will be here in five months, and I’m going to need your help.”

  Davide sighed, as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, then wore a sheepish smile. “Me, too. I know zilch about babies, and even less about changing diapers!”

  A feeling of elation came over Zoe, and she let out a scream. “You guys are pregnant?”

  “No, not me. Just Aurora,” Davide joked, touching his wife’s stomach. “Our little bundle of joy should be here by May. Just in time for my fortieth birthday. Pretty cool, huh?”

  “Congratulations, you guys! I’m so happy for you.” Hugging them both, she decided it was cause for celebration and offered to buy them lunch at the bistro across the street.

  “We should be the ones spoiling you. You saved Casa Di Moda from financial ruin.”

  I did? Zoe thought, bewildered by Aurora’s words.

  “Thanks to you, the Chic and Curvy line is our bestseller,” Davide explained.

  “The fashion blogs can’t get enough of your effortless style, and we’ve seen a three hundred percent surge in online sales since you were photographed with Romeo at the Il Divo concert,” Aurora said, putting on her belted tweed jacket. “I call it the Zoe Effect, and our increased popularity and staggering profits are making our new investors very happy.”

  “I’m glad that everything worked out. You’re an incredible talent, Aurora, and you deserve every bit of success,” Zoe said. “I just know you’re going to be an amazing mom.”

  “Damn right. My daughter’s going to be the best-dressed kid in preschool!”

  Laughing, the trio left the staff room, their exuberant voices carrying down the hall. It had been days since Zoe smiled or joked around. She missed Romeo desperately and longed to see him again, but she was glad she could spend some quality time with her boss.

  Remembering she’d bought Christmas presents for Romeo’s family and stashed them under her office desk, Zoe asked Davide to help her carry them to the reception area and opened the door. Her purse fell from her hands, and everything inside spilled onto the carpet. Is this really happening? she wondered, giving her head a shake to clear the terrifying image before her eyes. Is my best friend stealing from me? Is Jiovanni the one who stabbed me in the back?

  Zoe forced herself not to cry. He’d always had a word of encouragement for her, had always been her biggest cheerleader. His betrayal cut deep. It felt as if there were a hole in her chest where her heart should have been, but she didn’t succumb to her pain. For the first time since the Christmas Wonderland Ball, her mind was clear. In that moment, Zoe realized everything her colleagues had said about Jiovanni over the last few months was true. He was angry and bitter, and if he was her friend he wouldn’t be standing behind her desk, snooping through the gifts she’d bought for Romeo’s family. “Looking for something? My journal perhaps?”

  His head snapped up, and he dropped the diamond earrings he was holding on the desk.

  “It was you,” she hissed, pointing a finger at his face.

  “Z-Z-Zoe, what’s up? I just came by to grab the issue of Vogue I lent you.”

  “Liar! You read my journal, then arranged to have some low-life criminal blackmail Romeo at the Wonderland Ball, knowing full well he’d blame me.”

  “Don’t make it sound so sinister,” he said with a shrug. “It wasn’t like that.”

  “I thought we were friends. I thought you cared about me—”

  “I do,” he said, interrupting her. “It wasn’t personal. Alessandra and I saw an opportunity to make some easy cash and we took it. You of all people know how much I want to launch my own fashion label.”

  Feeling woozy, as if she was about to be sick, Zoe took a deep breath, willed herself not to lose it.

  “Alessandra and I sold the story to our favorite celebrity blog, and now I finally have enough money to fulfill my lifelong dream.”

  “Get out before I throw you out,” Aurora warned, stepping forward. “People like you make me sick. You’ll do anything for money, but what you fail to realize is when you hurt people in your quest for success, you’ll never get ahead.”

  “Bullshit. It’s the survival of the fittest in the fashion world, and only the strongest survive.”

  Davide gestured with his thumb to the open door. “Jiovanni, you’re fired. Leave now or the security guards will escort you out. It’s your choice.”

  “With pleasure. I was going to quit after the holidays, so thanks for saving me the trouble of having to write a formal resignation letter.” Wearing a confident smile, he swaggered through the office. “I’m debuting my collection, Designs by Jiovanni, during Milan Fashion Week and it’s going to mop the floor with Casa Di Moda. You just wait and see.”

  “Boy, bye!” Flapping her hands in the air as if she were a queen on her throne, Aurora narrowed her gaze. “You’re not welcome here anymore, so please leave.”

  Jiovanni stopped in front of Zoe, but she stepped back. She couldn’t stand to be near him.

  “I know you’re upset, and you have every right to be, but I hope one day you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me,” he said in a sincere tone of voice.

  Zoe scoffed, couldn’t believe his nerve. “Don’t hold your breath.”

  “I messed up. I’m man enough to admit it. Doesn’t that count for something?”

  “Stay away from me. Don’t call me, don’t text me, don’t come by my apartment. In fact, lose my number permanently.”

  “Zoe, you don’t mean that. We’re best friends. I love you. You know that.”

  Jiovanni reached out to touch her face, and Zoe slapped his arm so hard a sharp pain shot through her wrist. “Don’t touch me. Don’t you dare touch me,” she hissed through clenched teeth. “Stay. The. Hell. Away. From. Me. Or. You’ll. Be. Sorry.”

  His cheeks paled. He started to speak, but Zoe gave him her back, keeping her gaze fixed on the picture of her family hanging on the wall. What bothered her more than anything was his cocky, self-righteous attitude. Had he ever cared about her? Had he been screwing her over from day one? Filled with a profound sense of sadness, as if she were all alone in the world, Zoe bit the inside of her cheek to keep the tears at bay.

&n
bsp; Jiovanni mumbled an apology, but Zoe refused to acknowledge him.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her ex-best friend leave her office, his shoulders bent, his head down, and wondered if his outward show of remorse was genuine or just an act. Deciding it was the latter, she stared out the window. She needed a moment to collect her thoughts. Zoe couldn’t believe she’d lost her boyfriend and her best friend in the same week. She dropped into her favorite chair, and tears flowed fast and furious down her cheeks. It didn’t matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make them stop.

  Chapter 20

  “Uncle Romeo, wake up, wake up, it’s Christmas Day!” Matteo wailed in a high-pitched voice. “You have to come downstairs, uncle. Everyone’s waiting. Santa came, and it’s time to open presents!”

  Groaning, Romeo buried his head under a pillow. Warm and cozy in his king-size bed, he didn’t want to leave the comfort of his master suite. He silently wished Dante would come and collect his loud, hyper son. The tantalizing aromas of sausage, mozzarella cheese and sautéed mushrooms filled the air. Even though Romeo was starving, he still didn’t budge. Exhausted and desperate for more sleep, he closed his eyes.

  “Please, Uncle Romeo?” Matteo begged, vigorously shaking Romeo’s shoulders.

  “I’ll be up in an hour, li’l man. I promise.”

  “No, get up now. I’m tired of waiting. You’ve been sleeping forever.”

  Rolling onto his side, he peered at the alarm clock on the side table. Six forty-seven a.m.? Oh, hell no! Yesterday, his nonna had arrived from the States with his cousins Demetri, and Rafael, and their wives and children. After the kids went to bed, the adults had stayed up late into the night, drinking homemade wine, eating savory snacks and sharing their favorite Christmas memories. Unfortunately, conversation had turned to Romeo’s love life, and to his shock and dismay, his sisters-in-law didn’t like how he’d treated Zoe. The women were disappointed in him for yelling at her at the Christmas Wonderland Ball. Francesca was convinced Zoe had nothing to do with the blackmail scheme and encouraged him to reach out to her. On the fence about what to do, he’d promised to give some thought to what his sister said, and he had. In fact, he’d thought about Zoe all night. That’s why he didn’t have the energy to get out of bed now.

  “I’m going to tell Auntie Cesca you’re being mean to me,” Matteo said in a wobbly voice, jumping to his feet. “You’re going to get it!”

  Feeling guilty for upsetting his nephew, Romeo decided to take the first grader for a ride in his red Ferarri after breakfast. Images from his dream played in his mind, and a lump formed inside his throat. Zoe was goofing around with him at his estate in Lake Como, frolicking and laughing in the turquoise-blue water. Memories of all the good times they had over the past few weeks made his heart sad.

  Romeo couldn’t quiet his thoughts, couldn’t change the channel in his mind. Since the Wonderland Ball, her words had haunted him. I didn’t do anything. I swear...I never told anyone about our conversation. I wouldn’t...I’d never betray you... Did he make a mistake? Had he lashed out at the wrong person? Had someone else in his inner circle sold him out? Did it even matter now that everyone knew about his health problems?

  Remembering the headlines splashed across every magazine in the country gave him pause. Romeo Morretti Health Crisis! one paper had written. Morretti Millionaire Found Unresponsive at Lavish Penthouse! claimed another one. On the Brink of Death, reported his favorite newspaper.

  Considering everything that had happened since the story broke five days earlier, Romeo realized he’d been worried for nothing. The response from his clients, friends and business associates had been overwhelmingly supportive. All week, he’d been bombarded with phone calls, text messages and emails. Everyone told him how brave he was, called him an inspiration, a survivor. He’d been wrong. No one thought less of him or made him feel weak. Giuseppe persuaded him to share his story with the world. Now Romeo had so many speaking engagements lined up in the new year, he’d have to reschedule his birthday trip with his brothers and cousins to Monte Carlo in January. The Heart Disease Foundation of Milan had reached out to him about filming a public service announcement. After discussing it with his family, he’d agreed. He’d taped it yesterday in his home office, and within hours of the PSA being posted on the foundation’s website, it had over two million views. Filming the commercial, speaking openly and honestly about his heart attack last year, had been cathartic. The weight he’d been carrying on his shoulders disappeared. For the first time since Romeo had been discharged from the hospital, he felt at peace with his body.

  Romeo heard laughter, lively Christmas music and animated voices echoing throughout his estate. There were so many people at his house it was noisier than an amusement park, but Romeo was glad his relatives were with him. He cherished the time they spent together, loved hanging out with his cousins and brothers, and was thrilled they’d be in Milan until the new year, especially now that he didn’t have Zoe by his side. The unthinkable had happened: he’d found the woman of his dreams and lost her in the blink of an eye, through no fault of his own.

  Yawning, he stretched his tired muscles. It had been a year of extreme highs and lows, but despite everything that had happened with Zoe at the Wonderland Ball, she was still the woman he wanted. The object of his affection. His heart. His everything, and he couldn’t help wondering who she was spending Christmas Day with. Was she with Aurora and Davide? Hanging out with Jiovanni and his family? Or relaxing at home watching her favorite Christmas movie for the hundredth time?

  High heels slapped against the marble floor, echoing throughout the second story, ruining the peaceful mood. Romeo cursed under his breath. Sensing what was coming next, he threw the blanket over his face and pretended to snore.

  “Get up, sleepyhead!” Francesca trilled in a singsong voice. “Everyone’s waiting for you downstairs, and they’re starting to get restless, so shake a leg.”

  Romeo grunted, blew deeply through his nose to sell his performance.

  “I told you, Auntie Cesca. He’s not listening,” Matteo whined.

  “We’ll see about that.”

  Romeo held his breath, prayed his sister wouldn’t do anything crazy like jump on his bed or worse, toss a bucket of ice water on him. Someone yanked off his blanket, stole his pillow, and whacked him upside the head with it. Squinting, he propped himself on his elbow to see who the culprit was. The blinds were drawn, the balcony doors were open, and the crisp morning air made his body cold.

  Francesca stood at the foot of the bed, licking a candy cane, a hand stuck to her hip. “Are you going to come willingly, or do we have to drag you out of the bed?”

  “Merry Christmas to you, too, sis,” Romeo drawled in a sleepy voice, patting back a yawn. “Go ahead and start without me. I don’t mind.”

  “Nice try, Scrooge, but that’s not a Morretti family tradition. On Christmas Day, we open presents together, eat brunch, then sing Christmas carols around the piano.”

  Deciding to have a little fun with his sister and nephew, he shook his head and faked a scowl. Stretching out, Romeo clasped his hands behind his head and crossed his legs at the ankles. “My house, my rules, so bounce. I’ll be down in an hour, and if you don’t like it that’s too bad.”

  “Come on, Matteo. Let’s get him. I’ll grab one leg, you grab the other!”

  Before Romeo knew what was happening, Francesca and Matteo had dragged him off the bed. He fell flat on his back and let out a groan. Giggling, his nephew pointed at him with one hand and cupped his mouth with the other. Caught off guard by the surprise attack, Romeo didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.

  “I’m going to get even when you least expect it, so you better watch your back!” he warned, hurling a pillow across the room. It hit the wall with a thud, and Matteo laughed even harder.

  “You can’t catch us. Y
ou can’t catch us,” the first grader chanted, wiggling his hips.

  Crossing her arms, Francesca tapped her red-heeled pumps impatiently on the floor, her gaze dark and narrow. “I’d like to see you try. Now get up, get dressed and come downstairs pronto or we’ll be back. The next time we won’t go easy on you.”

  “Yeah,” Matteo shouted, his curls tumbling around his face as he nodded his head. “I got a Super Soaker water gun from Nonna yesterday, and I’m not afraid to use it.”

  Giggling uncontrollably, Francesca and Matteo fled the room. Romeo wore a wry smile. Worried they’d return and make good on their threat, he dragged himself to his feet, shuffled into the bathroom and locked the door. A quick shower and shave, and Romeo was ready.

  Jogging down the staircase, whistling “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” he decided to call Zoe after breakfast. Romeo didn’t know if they’d ever get back together, but he wanted to clear the air and apologize for the way he’d behaved at the Wonderland Ball. He’d been hurt and confused, but that was no excuse for his behavior. Romeo considered phoning her now, but since he didn’t want Matteo to drench him with his water gun, he changed his mind.

  “I’m here,” Romeo announced, entering the living room. “Happy now?”

  Matteo jumped into his arms, waving a square wooden box in the air. “Uncle Romeo, look what Ms. Zoe got me! It’s an edible chemistry set,” he said proudly, wearing a toothy smile. “I’m going to make rocks and fossils for everyone to eat for brunch!”

  His family members laughed, then one by one turned toward the fireplace. That’s when Romeo saw her. Zoe. For a moment, he thought he was dreaming, but as she crossed the room toward him, her floral perfume filled his nostrils and Romeo realized she wasn’t a figment of his imagination. Beautiful in a sparkly tunic, black dress pants and ankle-tie pumps, he admired her effortless style. He wanted to kiss her, to wrap her up in his arms, but resisted the urge.

  “Merry Christmas,” she said, stopping in front of him. “It’s good to see you.”