“After all these years, you’re still a looker. Hottest piece of ass Joseph ever had.”

The dormant knot of tension in Ava’s neck flared to life. She resisted the urge to reach up and massage her neck.

“That’s how you refer to your brother’s widow? A hot piece of ass?” Ava asked.

She turned her back on Angelo and walked back to her desk, trying her best to get her emotions under control. Angelo Martelli got under her skin. He always had and she was pretty sure he always would.

“You know I didn’t mean anything by that. Take it as a compliment.”

“I can assure you that there are more flattering terms you could have used to compliment me, but what can I expect? After all you’re just an old-school Italian. You don’t know any better.”

Sitting down, Ava crossed her legs, a genuine smile on her face. A small frown turned down the corners of Angelo’s face. She’d hit a nerve. Good. He sat down in the chair in front of her desk. From the way he tugged on the collar of his suit, she was sure that facing him as an equal and not just as simply a woman was something he wasn’t used to and certainly didn’t appreciate. Too damn bad.

“Please forgive my ignorance. Things were a lot different in my day. The things we said. The things we did.”

“I’m sure. So tell me what brings you by? This is your first time at my office, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is. I’m glad I came. Joseph talked so much about it. How proud he was of you for starting your own business. A real powerhouse broad, he called you.”

“I’ll always be grateful to him for allowing me to run my business. I don’t think most men in this life would’ve approved.”

“You’d be right about that. In past times a woman belonged in the bedroom or the kitchen, but never outside the home and certainly not owning a business. It was unheard of.”

“Well thank God for modern times. So you’re here because…”

“Do I need an excuse to stop by and check in on my sister-in-law? Joseph is barely in his grave… I wanted to see how you and Maia are getting along.”

“Maia and I are well. Thanks for asking.”

“That’s good. I was wondering how Maia was adjusting with her father being gone.”

“She’s doing better than can be expected, but Maia’s resilient. She reminds me so much of her father. Speaking of Joseph, I’m glad you stopped by. There’s something I need to ask you.”

“Sure. I’m all ears.”

Do you really want Angelo in your business? The answer to that was a firm no. But she needed answers or at least to know what she was dealing with. And she was sure that Angelo knew where all the bodies were buried so to speak.

“Did Joseph have a son?”

The question hung in the air between them. Angelo’s fingers formed a steeple over his mouth. There was a glint in his eyes. He knew something.

“Ava, where is this coming from?”

She slammed her fist on her desk. “Stop with the games, Angelo, and answer my question. Does Joseph have a son?”

“Ava, this kind of talk, it’s not proper. Not things a wife should hear. Not with our lifestyle.”

“Angelo, your brother is dead. I have a right to know. I need to know. So stop this omertà stuff and tell me the damn truth.”

Angelo scowled. Lowering his hands, he leaned forward.

“Fine. You want the truth. The truth is that before you even came into the picture, Joseph had a string of women around Miami. Even when you came under his protection, there were still other women. After you two married, I can’t say. I got the impression he wanted to settle down and be committed.”

“You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know. I’m well aware that fidelity was not a character trait your brother possessed and I don’t care. What I care about is a man bold enough to show up at my home and demand a share of the inheritance that belongs to my daughter,” Ava said.

Angelo waved his hands. “Wait a minute. You knew about Joseph’s extracurricular activities?”

“I’m not stupid. I know exactly what you wise guys are all about. No looking for the white picket fence and happily ever after. My arrangement and subsequent marriage with Joseph was about business, plain and simple. He provided me financial stability and I was a nice piece of arm candy who gave him a child. There was no love involved.”

Angelo rubbed his hand over his face. He regarded her shaking his head. A small smile crossed his lips. “You’re some kind of broad. It’s hard to believe you’re the same girl I met seventeen years ago.”

“Times and people change. Now, are you going to answer me or is it time I dismiss you and get back to work?” Ava asked.

“First I want to know who the prick is who showed up at your house.”

“He said his name is Dominic…Martelli. Showed me a picture of him, Joseph and his mother Carmella. Claimed it was taken three years ago and that Joseph was his father.”

Ava watched Angelo’s face. He remained silent before he briefly glanced away. She saw his Adam’s apple bob. The butterflies fluttering in her stomach stopped. For the first time since the incident, she felt a measure of peace.

“He’s Joseph’s son, isn’t he?” she asked.

“He could be.”

Three simple words. Words that could change her life if she let them. No way that was going to happen.

“I figured as much, but that doesn’t change anything. Maia is the heir to Joseph’s fortune and you control his territory. Case closed.”

“I’m sorry, Ava.”

“What’s to be sorry about? Your brother was a rolling stone who couldn’t keep it zipped up and he had a kid with someone else. It wasn’t like he loved me.”

“Ava, he did love you.”

“Bullcrap, Angelo.”

“No. Listen to me. Of all the women my brother messed with you are the only one he constantly praised. The only one whose intelligence he admired. The one he chose to marry. He loved you, Ava. I know he did. Him possibly having a bastard son doesn’t change that.”

“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I don’t need you to lie to me. I’m a big girl. I can handle the truth.”

“I’m telling you the truth. My brother loved you. I wouldn’t lie about something like that.”

“Whether he loved me or didn’t is irrelevant. What is relevant is the fact that this man who could be his son is showing up demanding a share of my daughter’s inheritance he is not entitled to.”

“Listen, I don’t know what the boy is thinking. Joseph provided well for him and his mother. I’ll talk to Carmella. Get her to talk some sense into him.”

“You’d better because if he shows up again, he might end up with a bullet between the eyes. I don’t give a damn who he is.”

Angelo laughed. Despite the tenseness of the situation, Ava found herself relaxing. She had nothing to worry about. It didn’t matter if Angelo chose to get involved or not. She was more than capable of handling one angry person.

“Spoken like a true Martelli. Your old man would be proud.”

Ava leaned back in her chair. “I seriously doubt that my dear departed husband would be happy with me threatening to kill his illegitimate son.”

“That’s one thing we’ll never know.” A smile returned to his face. “You know, Ava, a woman like you has to need companionship. You’re still young and beautiful. There could be more children in your future.”

He didn’t know when to quit.

“And what makes you think I’m lonely? I’m creating an empire. I don’t have time to worry about things like that.”

“You still have a heart, Ava, businesswoman or not.”

“Maybe, or perhaps I buried it with my husband.”

“I don’t believe that. Just think about it. I know any man would be lucky to have you.”

“You included?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

“Yes. Especially me.”

“Angelo, it’s been seventeen years. You should’ve gotten over your crush by now. It was inappropriate then, and it’s inappropriate now.”

“What can I say? There’s something about you I just can’t shake,” Angelo said, rising to his feet.