‘The medical professionals predict he has only a matter of months. Maybe less.’
The implications assumed vivid reality. Achieving his objective would involve taking Nicki to Spain.
Pain escalated as it raced through her body, consuming her mind with turmoil. ‘I won’t allow you to take her overseas.’ Rationality went out the window. ‘She doesn’t have a passport. Hell, she doesn’t even know you!’
What if he didn’t bring Nicki back?
What if Nicki became distressed, distraught …?
‘Naturally, you would accompany her.’
Revisit a place where she had spent the worst twenty months of her life?
Mix with a family who hid their disapproval of Marcello’s choice of a wife beneath a thin veneer of politeness? A former lover, touted not to be so former, who delighted in causing mischief and mayhem?
‘You have to be kidding!’
‘A few weeks,’ Marcello elaborated. ‘That’s all.’
Shannay closed her eyes, then opened them again. ‘No.’
‘I gave Ramon my word.’
Something which only made the situation worse. ‘Ramon knows about Nicki?’
‘My grandfather was—’ he paused fractionally ‘—inadvertently appraised of Nicki’s existence.’
It wasn’t difficult to do the maths. ‘Penè.’ Marcello’s widowed aunt, a disgruntled woman who took delight in running interference.
She had no difficulty envisaging Sandro informing Marcello of his chance encounter a week ago, or the manner in which Penè came to hear of it.
Happy families. Not.
There was more. Ramon’s illness was only a part of it.
Her eyes narrowed. ‘And?’
One eyebrow slanted in silent query.
She took a deliberate sip of coffee, then another, before replacing the glass onto its saucer as she speared him with a direct look.
‘I don’t doubt the validity of your request. But don’t attempt to use it as a smokescreen.’ Did he think she was a naive fool?
‘Why would I do that?’
Shannay had positioned the figurative nail, now she chose to hammer it home. ‘To gain my sympathy, and dilute the major issue here.’ She waited a beat. ‘Your plans to gain custody.’ Her expression hardened a little. ‘Or is that not to form part of this discussion, and you’ll instruct your legal representative to inform mine of your intention?’
She was fearless when it came to protecting her child. He admired her strength and determination … and pondered if she was fully aware it was no match for his.
‘It will take time to work out a mutually amicable custody agreement,’ Marcello offered with deceptive indolence. ‘We need to consult and compare our individual schedules, and above all, ensure the arrangements we propose suit Nicki’s best interests. Her emotional welfare is the priority, is it not?’
Defensive assurance rose to the fore. ‘My daughter’s emotional status is just fine as it is.’
‘But circumstances have changed,’ he posed with deliberate calm. ‘Nicki is no longer the child of one parent. She has two. The legal system is purported to be fair. If we’re unable to reach an amicable agreement, a court judge will review our respective cases and award custody.’ He paused deliberately, his gaze intent on her expressive features. ‘Given the facts, do you doubt any judge will deny me reasonable access to my daughter?’
No, she conceded the hollow knowledge. But she was confident she could insist such access be confined within Australia.
‘Why do I get the feeling there’s an underlying reason behind all this?’ she demanded with increasing vexation.
‘One you obviously haven’t considered,’ Marcello ventured, then elaborated with faint emphasis. ‘Nicki’s rightful inheritance as a legitimate member of the Martinez dynasty.’
Her chin tilted, and her eyes became dark, gold-flecked obsidian. ‘For this, you require proof of paternity?’
‘A considerable fortune is involved.’
Sufficient to put Nicki on a spoilt-little-rich-girl list and all that entailed.
‘No.’
‘It is her right as a Martinez heir.’
‘Never sure of being liked for herself, or for who she is and what she can do for them? Living in a gilded cage, guarded and protected? Unable to enjoy the freedom of a normal childhood?’
Marcello drained his coffee and signalled the waitress for another, indicating only one when Shannay shook her head.
‘Wealth brings risks. Bodyguards are discreet. It’s something one learns to live with.’
She made a sweeping glance of the area, then returned her attention to him. ‘Next, you’ll tell me yours is seated near by.’ It was a comment veiled with deliberate cynicism, and she caught the slight twist at the edge of his mouth.
‘Three tables to your right. Tall, dark hair, shades, dressed in jeans and polo shirt. Carlo doubles as my personal assistant.’
So much for flippancy.
She hadn’t sensed anyone’s presence, or felt that inexplicable prickling at the back of her neck … and she definitely hadn’t seen anything to arouse suspicion.
But then, the possibility hadn’t occurred to her. She was here in Perth, Australia. A woman and her young daughter living a normal life.
Far, far removed from Madrid and the Martinez lifestyle where protection of its family members formed an integral part of their existence.
She was all too aware of Marcello’s veiled scrutiny, the watching quality as he gauged her mood, divined it, then closed in for the kill.
‘Sign the permission form, Shannay. Apply for Nicki’s passport, and request urgency on the grounds overseas travel is imminent.’
A chill shiver slithered its way down her spine. Without a passport Nicki was confined within Australia.
Once a passport was issued, her daughter would be able to travel … anywhere, independent of her mother.
The mere thought escalated her nervous tension and sent her mind spiralling with very real fear of abduction … by Marcello, if he was so inclined to take Nicki to Madrid, with or without Shannay’s permission.
Something she’d fight to guard against, at any cost.
‘Or else you’ll drag me through the courts, Marcello?’
‘Why not view a sojourn in Madrid as an opportunity for Nicki to become accustomed to my home, my family, and to enjoy aspects of the city in the security of your company?’
She knew what would follow, and he didn’t disappoint.
‘Ramon will have time with his great-grand-daughter. Is that too much to ask of you?’
‘And how is this holiday to be explained to Nicki? She’s intelligent for her age. She’ll ask questions, expect answers.’
‘Why not lead her into the truth a step at a time?’
Shannay viewed him with scepticism. ‘A suggestion from a man who has no experience with children?’
‘Is it so difficult to accept such