Bound by the Italian's Contract(6)

                He pushed to his feet and crossed to the bar. “You want my money and nothing more from me, and you don’t want to take a risk,” he said over the clink of glasses.

                “Basically, yes,” she said. “Is that a problem?”

                “It could be one for you.” He strode toward the sofa with two glasses of decadently red wine and handed one to her, his gaze hot on hers, probing, assessing. “Everything has risks to some degree.”

                Like being here alone with him. Like courting his interest and financial support, which was all she wanted from him.

                “I’m cautious, Luciano,” she said, taking the wine at last but hesitant to taste it.

                Challenge glinted in his eyes. “Be bold.”

                “I am.” To a point. “What’s your proposal?” she asked, mindful of the disastrous turn her life had taken the last time she’d acted boldly.

                “Ignite my brother’s love of life again with your program. It is my hope that he will regain his desire to ski and develop his own line of adaptive equipment.”

                All built under the la Duchi logo of course.

                It was a logical sound business move that would surely make Luciano millions. That he was going to great lengths for his brother spoke volumes.

                “I can’t promise that therapy will totally heal him,” she said honestly. “Julian must want my help as well.”

                He sat on the sofa, so close to her she saw flecks of silver flare in his eyes. “Give him a reason to. In exchange for your tireless effort and expertise, I will completely finance the renovation of Tregore Lodge to your specifications. Anything you want. Do we have a deal?”

                She shook her head, refusing to agree to any verbal agreement, no matter how tempting. “It can’t be that simple. What’s the catch?”

                “No catch,” he said, his gaze riveted on hers, hot and intense. “I will finance the renovation and equipment for the launch of your adaptive ski program if you agree to come to my Alpine lodge and do all in your power to help Julian regain his life.”

                “Why is this so important to you?”

                “He’s my brother and has all but given up hope of having any normalcy of life,” he said. “Look around. There are far too many like him similarly afflicted. I have the means to give him that new start. You have the knowledge to reach and motivate him.”

                She bit her lower lip, thinking. Her program would gain huge accolades if it helped Julian. But even if it didn’t, she liked him and wanted to help. And she did need to cinch this deal with Luciano.

                “What you’re expecting of me is massive,” she said. “The chance for failure is great. You must realize that.”

                His frown deepened but he gave an abrupt nod, troubled eyes meeting hers. And for a heartbeat she was lost in them. Lost in the emotional pain that flickered a nanosecond in his eyes before vanishing behind that same blank wall.

                “I understand the risk,” he said. “But it is worth it if Julian will one day lead a productive life again.”

                “That’s admirable of you.” Touching.

                He shrugged, his blue eyes as turbulent as a restive sea. “As I said, I care about my brother.”