She shrugged and stepped away. “Better, I think. It helps to be away from Rio. Out of sight, out of mind, you know?”

“Indeed.” The pain that shadowed his life flickered briefly on his face. It disappeared after a second.

“And you?” She cleared her throat. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. Working a lot. Fabio has signed a new contract with a health insurance company. We’re going to refurbish four hospitals and two laboratories for them. I miss your lawyer skills. They were very handy when I had a contract like that to analyze.”

She stared into his eyes and knew she wasn’t going to receive the answer she wanted. If another person was in the room, even one of their sisters or grandmother, he never spoke about his feelings. “You can always send them to me by e-mail. You know it’s always a pleasure to help you.”

“We’ve hired a law firm. The business is really becoming too big for me to handle the legal side alone.”

“That’s good,” she smiled at him. “I’m glad to hear. How are Grandma and Carolina?”

“Well, you know those two. Always bickering and always making peace right away.” They laughed together.

“Carolina is dating an American.” His face clouded. “His name is Thomas Drake Westwood.”

“Really?” Sophia sounded surprised. Carolina never went out on dates. “You don’t approve of him.”

“He’s too old for her and a Hollywood film producer.”

“I’ve heard of him. He’s quite a morsel.”

Sophia smiled when Felipe tsked at Valentina’s comment. “How much older?”

“Ten or eleven years.”

“Now, Felipe, you’re being prejudiced. Gabriel was nearly fourteen years older than me and was the best thing that could have happened in my life.”

“Don’t compare the two. Gabriel was special.”

An unhappy grin flashed over Sophia’s features, “Yes, he was.”

“Stop being the older brother, Felipe. Carol is twenty-three,” Valentina pondered and smirked, “I’m glad she’s found someone at last.”

He laughed. “Well, I’m the older brother. And the only one you have! Best heed my advice.” He frowned and turned to Sophia. “I haven’t explained myself well. There is something about him… He’s… too friendly and… there is something weird when he looks at people, as if they were specimens under a microscope. I don’t know how to define it. In any case, I’ve talked to her, but you know Carol.”

“Yeah, I do.”

Sophia turned to the floor plans. “So do you think the house is worth its price? How long will all the work take? What’s the estimate?” She practically hopped from one foot to another.

“My God, Sophia, slow down,” Valentina said, “I don’t know why you’re constantly in such a hurry. These things take time.”

“Life is too short to waste time, my dear. One day you will learn that. You’re too young to understand.”

“Too young? Sophia, I’m seventeen years old.”

“An old woman,” Felipe teased.

“Maybe I’m the one who’s too old.” Sophia sighed deeply and hugged herself, her shoulders sagging.

“Hey! I only want to see smiles this weekend,” Felipe ordered.

Sophia managed to give him a small smile. Do as I say, not as I do. Typical of Felipe.


In a meeting room of the Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva.

12.54 p.m.

Daydreaming, Sophia’s image haunted Ethan. She is stunning. Slightly tanned skin; almond eyes. Mmm, her mouth is a delicious shade of red. Her hair falls sinfully over her breasts. I bet they would fill my hands…

“Mr. Ashford, don’t you agree that this new turn of events in the Afghanistan War demands a postponement of a few months, let’s say, eight to twelve months to start our first payment? We know that your shipment will arrive on time. We don’t know if we will manufacture, contact, and distribute our products in the expected time, so you see, we need to delay our first payment,” the head of the Arab team at the end of the table put forth.

“Oh, yes-”

Leonard interrupted Ethan. “Excuse me, gentlemen, I need a moment with my client. Mr. Ashford, if you will just follow me into the adjoining room?” Leonard requested.

When he closed the door of the smaller room, Leonard exploded in a low voice. “What got into you today? Goddamn it! I have been conducting this fucking meeting for at least two hours, all on my own. The first time the motherfuckers speak to you… worse, speak to you with an unreasonable demand, you give in without even looking at me? What’s your problem, Ashford?”

“I’m sorry, Allenthorp. I didn’t hear the proposal. My mind was elsewhere,” Ethan excused himself, with a grimace.

“You should be sorry,” Leonard sighed. “It’s the woman, isn’t it? Yes, she’s quite distracting.” A small smile crossed Leonard’s face. “Nonetheless, we cannot afford distractions here,” he sighed. “Now, you know how these guys are about to pledge honor and blah, blah, blah. How many months are you willing to give them?”

“Give them ten days. Of course, they’ll bargain for more. I cannot give them more than one month. I’m sure they’ll be satisfied with that.”

“I’m willing to bet your absentmindedness is going to extend the meeting for at least twenty-four hours beyond the anticipated. Just because of a woman. I should charge you more for this.” Leonard grinned, “In fact, I will.” He put his hand on the doorknob, but didn’t turn it. “Forget her for a few hours. I will not be held responsible for any new problem. Let’s get on with this.”


Quai General Guisan.

1.37 p.m.

Sophia shook Mr. Brenton’s hand outside the bank. “It was a pleasure doing business with you, sir.”

“My pleasure, young lady. And, please, if you meet Juliette,” he looked down a second, as if ashamed, “don’t mention how and where we finished our transaction. She only knows about the first part of the payment you made in London.”

“Don’t worry. Take care, Mr. Brenton.” I hope I never meet that bitch again.

“You too, my dear. I hope you’ll be happy in your new house.”

Sophia stood there looking as the old man entered his car, snowflakes falling delicately on her gray felt hat. When it turned the corner, Sophia jumped into Felipe’s arms. “I did it. I did it.”

“Yes, you did. Congratulations. Now, you had better take me to a restaurant. I’m starving.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve made reservations for us at l’Auberge du Lion d’Or and asked for a special Krug champagne.”

“Hmm! Felipe, prepare yourself. Sophia has chosen well,” said Valentina from behind.

Sophia turned and hugged her sister, too happy to care if she was making a scene.

Sophia called her driver and in a few minutes they were seated at a table beside a huge window with a clear view of Lake Geneva.

“I don’t think we’re going skiing this afternoon, Sophia,” Felipe smiled at his sister, a hand on his flat stomach. They had been drinking, eating and catching up for more than three hours.

Valentina licked her lips. “Everything here is scrumptious. My oven-roasted cod was more than delicious.”

“Yeah. But I’m happy that I’m not sleeping with you tonight. All that garlic, Val! Ugh!”

“I’m not sleeping with Felipe again,” Valentina stared at her brother and taunted, “he snores.”

“I do not!”

“You do, too,” Valentina pouted, “I want to sleep with you, Sophia.”

“You know I only sleep alone, dear.” Sophia squeezed Valentina’s hand. “I’m sorry.”

“Still having nightmares?” Felipe asked.

Sophia handed him her flute, “Can you pour me some more champagne, please?” evading the question.

“Sure. This champagne is quite tasty. It’s the first time I’ve tried this one.”

“You’ve never had Clos D’Ambonnay before?” Sophia smiled. “I first tried it on my honeymoon. I fell in love with it. All of Krug’s champagnes are aged for at least six years in theirs cellars. The grapes are handpicked and pressed.” She tasted her champagne. “They still ferment in oak.” She smiled at him, sheepishly. “It was perfect for my roast supreme of sea bass but your Scottish Angus beef merited a red wine.”

“It doesn’t matter. You know I love red meat.” Felipe’s eyes gleamed with admiration. “You’ve become a very refined woman, Sophia.”

“It’s not difficult to like these kinds of things, you know. Gabriel was a good teacher.” She smiled softly, fond of the memory. “The Krug caves in Reims are absolutely sensational.”

“When you live in Europe it’s so much easier to learn and access these kinds of luxuries.”

“Yes, but then it also depends on personality, Val. Sophia has always been refined. She has always been special.” Felipe gripped Sophia’s hand, his thumb caressing her knuckles. “Sophia cooks as few women do. You eat like most.”

Sophia giggled and Valentina pouted.

“The truth is that Sophia has always been the apple of your eye. And you, hers.” Valentina complained.

“And you’re jealous!” Sophia made a face and held Valentina’s hand. “There’s no reason, little sister, because you and your twin, Vic, are our favorites.”

The dessert arrived. “You’re about to taste the most delicious dessert in the world.” Sophia licked her lips.

“I don’t know how you are so thin, Sophia. You have such a sweet tooth.” Valentina sulked.

“I don’t sit idle all day like you, dear. I wake up early. I run, swim, workout and ride. Every day.” She dipped her spoon in the warm ultralight soufflé with lime-skin and a scoop of vanilla, delicately positioned on a disc of chocolate. “Mmm!”

“Valentina does only the bare minimum,” Felipe commented, “she isn’t like us, Sophia.”

With a devilish smile, Sophia teased, “It’s the blonde hair. It causes-”