Chapter 13 Raphael As I drove the winding road back up the mountain , r in , my mind continually wandered back to Beth and her adorable daughter Lucy .
Lucy was a Segretto all right .
She had the dark hair , the dark complexion , even whiskey colored eyes like me and my father .
More than that , though , she had the strong will and hot temper my family was famous for .
I smiled when I remembered how she had marched in , fierce and fearless , to demand I stop yelling at her mommy .
I shouldnt have ignored her for all those years , just because she was my brothers kid with Beth .
I knew that Id been a selfish d ** k , hiding away .
licking my wounds , resenting some poor little kid … .
Just because she wasnt mine .
When I put in that way , I really feh like a lowlife .
Id been jealous , insanely jealous of my brother .
Thanks to my fathers last will and testament , I was the one who had to step up and take over as CEO of Segretto Star , while my brother just got to kick back and collect the dividends from the shares he inherited .
He got to stay home and live his own life , free from responsibility .
He got to marry the woman I loved .
Make a home , start a family Which left me wondering why they had divorced .
And which one of them had initiated the separation ? How could my brother let a sweet woman and that beautiful child get away ? And for what ? That ditzy blond bimbo with her fake plastic face ? I parked and took a moment to stare out over the snow covered golf course .
Beth was divorced .
That meant that she was legally and morally free to see other men , to date , even to get married again .
Her relationship status shouldnt even interest me .
Whatever we had shared in the past had died a terrible death seven years ago .
We werent even the same people anymore .
And after she had betrayed me and shared my brothers bed , I shouldnt even be contemplating whatever the hell I was thinking about It occurred to me that I didnt know anything about Beths personal life .
For all I knew , she had a boyfriend , or maybe even a fiance .
Of course , she would find another man .
She was too beautiful , too desirable to stay alone .
Hell , maybe that explained why my brother divorced her maybe she was cheating on him .
I wanted to reject that idea right away , but I couldnt Once a cheat , always a cheat , isnt that what they said ? But did it really count as cheating , seven years ago ? After all , we had argued , we had broken up , and I had left her alone .

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That was then , that was a different situation … as it was now , she had no reason on to stay true and faithful to my brother .
For some reason , it really , really bothered me to imagine Beth looking for comfort in the arms of another man , even if she had every right to do so .
if my br brain acknowledged that By the time I stomped my way into the main lodge , I was working myself into a full temper .
I didnt know who Beths new suitor was , but I would find out .
And when I did .
I would bury him .
Metaphorically speaking , of course .
My assistant was already waiting for me .
Rachel was dressed in a red and white striped pantsuit that wouldnt be appropriate at any other time of the year .
She looked like a tall blonde candy cane .
Oh good you are back ! She stood to welcome me .
Sophia sent the sample swatches for the upholstery in the darker color scheme you requested , she held up a fat binder .
Mr.
Beland says he wont be able to begin work until January sixth , because they are taking a vacation with his in laws .
The chef has prepared a sample menu with her signature dishes for you to review , and shed like to present her Italian dishes tonight .
I groaned Why do they always want to start with Italian ? Well sir , Im sure shes eager to impress you by presenting cuisine from your home country .
I was born in America , I pointed out dryly .
So was my father .
Only my mother was born in Italy .
And I dont care how many Michelin stars her restaurant has , nobody can cook authentic Italian food like my mama My heart sank when I realized that my mother would probably never cook for me again , not with the paralysis caused by the stroke .
Chapter 13 I pushed the sample portfolio back at my assistant .
Ill look at this later .
Tell Mr.
Beland if he wants this project I need him to report by no later than January 2nd .
If thats not possible , award the contract to Shannon , I turned and started toward my room and then stopped and turned back .
And while you are at it , dig up everything you can find about my brothers divorce .
I want to know who was who was the plaintiff and who was the defendant , and any other details you can find out .
Um , okay , she gave me an odd look , but wouldnt it be easier to get these details straight from your brother ? Really ? I snorted and continued toward the hallway .
You of all people should know that my brother and I dont have that kind of relationship .
I opened the door to my room and noted that there was a slight odor in the apartment after it had been shut and locked , slightly old and musty , like an abandoned house It reminded me of the smell of my childhood bedroom at my mothers house .
Which reminded me of something else .
I pulled out my cellphone and dialed Rachel again .
Two more things ! I barked into the phone .
I want information on Bethany Segretto , my brothers ex wife .
Um , what kind of information ? She asked hesitantly .
I dont know , anything , everything tossed my jacket onto the couch , and stomped over to th the minibar .
I pushed aside the nips of alcohol and pulled out a water bottle Perhaps you should consider hiring a private investigator- Why would I spend money on a Pl when I have already paid you ? I asked irritably .
I paid her generously , I might add , and she probably had more skills than a professional private investigator anyway Right .
Whats the other thing ? Rachel asked in an exasperated tone .
Few people could get away with Pizza .
Pardon ? with talking to me like that .
Find out which pizzeria in Townline has the best ratings , some place kid friendly I ran a hand through my hair , which was getting much too long You know , one of those places that has an arcade or a bouncy house , or laser tag or something .
I could hear her surprise in the long drawn out silence before she answered , Yeah , okay Im going to get a shower .
Tell the chef we will be down for dinner at seven .
Yes , sir ! I could practically see her saluting me like a military subordinate before she cut the call .