17
Blind Love
Adam unbuckled his seat belt and turned around to face Dani. “Well? What do you think?”
“It’s great, nippy, easy to park, fast enough and a lot roomier than I thought.” Dani looked around the interior of the Smart car she’d just test driven.
“But?”
Dani smirked. Adam knew her too well. “I really wanted a convertible.”
Adam nodded. “Well, you can wait until one becomes available.”
“I need a car, Adam. I’ll just have to take it,” she sighed.
“Let’s see what the chances are of getting a convertible first. You never know.” He could see that she was disappointed and was hoping the dealer might ring around again and try and locate one.
Dani opened the door and followed Adam into the office of the dealership. She stood awkwardly while Adam explained that Dani had her heart set on a convertible.
“The only convertibles I have are a Peugeot and a Fiat. I can try and see if my contacts down south can get hold of one, but I can’t guarantee anything. Give me a day or so and I’ll try my best.” He smiled hopefully at Dani.
“What Fiat is it?” Dani asked.
“A 500.”
“I’m afraid that means nothing to me. What I mean is: is it a big car?”
Adam chuckled and shook his head. She really was quite clueless when it came to cars. “No, it’s a small car, Dani,” Adam explained.
“Can I see it?”
The dealer smiled widely and immediately grabbed a set of keys, then ushered them out onto the forecourt to show them the car.
Dani grinned as he approached the small pearly white car with a red soft top. It had a thin green, white and red strip along the side. “Can I test drive it?”
“Of course.” The dealer handed her the keys and Dani jumped into the driver’s seat. Adam opened up the passenger side and buckled up.
“It’s like Gia’s – Mrs Ferretti’s. But hers is green and isn’t a convertible” – she turned to look in the back – “and it’s a four-seater.”
Adam huffed, “For midgets, maybe. Come on, let’s see what it drives like.”
Within thirty minutes, Adam thrashed out a price with the dealer and arranged for the car to be road ready by Thursday.
Dani grinned to herself as they drove away from the car dealership, glad to see the back of her Porsche. Another reminder and tie to Jez eliminated. One by one, she was managing to tick off each task on her ever-increasing mental to do list.
“I think La Casa and the Ferrettis are having quite an influence on you,” Adam joked. Dani smiled tightly.
Dani’s grin dropped. Oh crap, she’d hoped he hadn’t realised just how much they were unconsciously influencing her. She lifted up her hand and ticked off each of the criteria on her fingers. “It’s a small, nippy, easy to park, convertible,” Dani answered in justification. “Just what I wanted.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Adam shook his head, unconvinced.
BY FOUR FIFTEEN, JEROME was sitting in the office at Level One feeling decidedly better.
He’d managed to find two managers that would be able to start almost immediately.
He was lucky it was the end of the year and the gym business was slowing down, so they’d be eased in gently before the influx of new memberships after the New Year.
He’d be splitting himself in two again until they were settled but nevertheless, things were getting in order.
He pulled out the paper with the number of the investigator Paul had scribbled down for him and turned it in his hands, unsure of what he should do.
He knew he couldn’t be permanently second guessing Liz, and this would be the only way he’d be sure if she was still seeing Jonathan.
He scraped back his chair and put on his jacket, tucking the paper into his inside pocket, then headed out of his office.
The elevator opened up onto the seventh floor where Arsenio’s office was situated.
His office was a far-too-large corner suite, which suited him down to a tee.
It was decorated in the style that only Arsenio seemed to be comfortable with.
Ultra-modern, very masculine, sleek, black and white, and devoid of any warmth.
In short it was the epitome of what a tough successful lawyer would select.
The only item in the whole of his vast office that indicated Arsenio had a softer side was a black and white framed picture of Alessandro and Kara on his desk.
Arsenio’s assistant was not at his usual station, so Jerome popped his head around the slightly opened office door.
Arsenio was pacing around his desk talking on his phone just in his white shirt and black suit trousers.
He’d taken off his tie, jacket and shoes and continued to move around.
Jerome smirked as he watched his younger brother, who was clearly agitated, walk up and down the plush off-white woollen carpet in his socks.
It was a good job he’d taken off his shoes, thought Jerome, he’d wear a hole in the totally impractical carpet.
Arsenio waved him in and signalled he’d be one minute.
“Stop talking,” Arsenio snapped at whoever was on the other end of the phone, “I expect a revised proposal within an hour… I don’t care that it’s nearly four thirty.
My client has given you more than enough leeway and whatever happens, I want this deal signed, sealed and delivered by end of business tomorrow.
Otherwise, I’ll advise my client to go elsewhere. ”
Arsenio scowled at his phone as he pressed the off switch. Jerome stepped closer and lowered himself into the chair in front of the desk. “Problems?”
“No, not really. Just some hotshot lawyer thinking he can play hardball. Anyway, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” he grinned, settling himself into his chair.
“I was at Level One and thought I’d come and see you,” mumbled Jerome, suddenly feeling unsure if he was ready to broach the subject of a private investigator.
Arsenio raised a quizzical eyebrow. “Jerome, just spit it out, what do you need?”
Jerome took a deep breath and reached into the side pocket of his jacket, then handed the paper over. Arsenio read the name and number, then looked up at Jerome, waiting for an explanation.
“Paul gave me his number. He’s a PI; someone trustworthy.”
Arsenio leaned back on his chair and nodded, watching Jerome slouch down nervously.
“Paul said he’d ring him first to let him know you’d be in touch.”
“Good. Does Paul know why?”
“No. I said it was for one of your clients.”
“I see. Okay, I’ll ring him in the morning and set up a meeting.”
“Fine.” Jerome sat staring blankly at a framed black and white photograph of a glass building’s elevation that was positioned behind Arsenio. God, even the art he displayed was cool and clinical, thought Jerome.
“Look, Jerome, I know you’re really not comfortable talking about this, but we need to work out some sort of strategy.
” Jerome’s eyes darted back to Arsenio but he didn’t speak.
He just clenched his jaw repeatedly. So Arsenio continued, “If the investigator digs up that she’s still…
well with this asshole, you’ll have your grounds for divorce. ”
Jerome stood up and walked towards the vast window and stared out of it blindly. Divorce. There was that word again. A word he’d never thought he’d use in relation to himself. The very thought depressed him.
Arsenio’s heart sank as he watched his brother try hard to hold on to his emotions. Out of all the brothers, Jerome was the most sensitive. This was a lot harder for Jerome than he was showing, but Arsenio wanted to protect him in the only way he knew he could. Legally.
“But that won’t secure you full custody, Jerome. I take it that is what you want? She’s not the first wife to play away and the courts don’t really care.”
Jerome took a deep breath but still remained silent.
“If you want to get full custody, she has to be seen as a danger to the kids.”
Jerome slowly turned around to face Arsenio, his brow furrowed.
“She’s not a danger to the kids. She maybe neglectful, indifferent even, but she’d never hurt them, Seni.” Crap, he couldn’t believe he was actually having this conversation about his wife, the mother of his children, the woman he once loved.
“Look, Jerome, I know this is hard.” Jerome huffed at this comment.
“But I’m talking to you as your lawyer. The kids…
” He stopped a moment, searching for the right words.
“What’s important is that the kids stay with you.
No judge will ever grant the father full custody over the mother unless she’s deemed unfit.
She can be screwing around every night for all they care, she’s still their mother. The best you can hope for is joint.”
“What if she agrees to it herself?”
“You actually think she’ll give up the kids?” Arsenio couldn’t hide his disbelief.
“Maybe, if she’s given the right incentive.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Cosimo has checked over my financial status and, as you well know, I only have the house in my name. So she’s only entitled to half of that and a percentage of my earnings.
I’m sure she thinks she’s entitled to more.
If I can give her some deal, a package that will set her up, she may agree to giving up custody. ”
Arsenio leaned back on his chair. “You really think she’d do that? I know she’s a selfish bitch, but give up her kids?”
Jerome flinched at his comment and broadened his eyes.
“Sorry. But you know I’ve never liked her.”
Jerome clenched his jaw tighter and closed his eyes momentarily.
“Look, Jerome, I know you’re not comfortable talking to me about your personal affairs and if you’d rather I get another lawyer, one that specialises in family law to deal with this… we’ve a whole floor dedicated to –”
“No. I don’t want anyone else,” Jerome interrupted. It was difficult discussing his private life with Arsenio, but he knew that his brother would do the utmost to protect him, even if his manner was a little too abrasive for Jerome at the moment.
“I won’t sugar-coat anything, Jerome, just so we’re clear,” Arsenio warned.