“When you’ve finished making offers for the bracelet, I have a proposition for you.”
Billionaire Liev Dragunov has spent a lifetime plotting revenge against those responsible for his family’s ruin. Finally he has the way: Bianca Di Sione.
She’s denied their obvious attraction and coolly rebuffs every request to work for him—until he finds her weakness: a diamond bracelet she desperately needs!
Bianca must become his fake fiancée if she wants her trinket! But the taste of revenge isn’t as sweet as desire, and Liev discovers that she is innocent in more ways than one...
Book 3 of The Billionaire’s Legacy
Before Bianca had time to respond he lowered his head and claimed her lips in a kiss that verged on demanding.
Her head spun and, although she knew she shouldn’t, she moved her lips against his, tasting the forbidden. Her fingers clutched the lapels of Liev’s jacket as he put his arms around her, pulling her close against him.
It was insane. It was also amazing.
‘No.’ She pushed against him and he pulled back, but he didn’t let go of her. ‘That can never happen again—not like that.’
Liev drew in a deep breath and let it go slowly, as if curbing an angry response. ‘It will if we are in public. If it’s part of your “role”, as you called it.’
‘Just go,’ she snapped, and relief and disappointment washed over her as he moved back from her. ‘Go, Liev, this charade is over for tonight.’
‘Until tomorrow, Bianca.’
With those words haunting her Bianca watched him stride back to the elevator, wondering what had just happened. Why had she taunted him? But, more importantly, why had she kissed him?
It would not happen again.
The Billionaire’s Legacy
A search for truth and the promise of passion!
For nearly sixty years Italian billionaire Giovanni Di Sione has kept a shocking secret. Now, nearing the end of his days, he wants his grandchildren to know their true heritage.
He sends them each on a journey to find his ‘Lost Mistresses’—a collection of love tokens and the only remaining evidence of his lost identity, his lost history...his lost love.
With each item collected the Di Sione siblings take one step closer to the truth...and embark on a passionate journey that none could have expected!
Find out what happens in
The Billionaire’s Legacy
Di Sione’s Innocent Conquest by Carol Marinelli
The Di Sione Secret Baby by Maya Blake
To Blackmail a Di Sione by Rachael Thomas
The Return of the Di Sione Wife by Caitlin Crews
Di Sione’s Virgin Mistress by Sharon Kendrick
A Di Sione for the Greek’s Pleasure by Kate Hewitt
A Deal for the Di Sione Ring by Jennifer Hayward
The Last Di Sione Claims His Prize by Maisey Yates
Collect all 8 volumes!
To Blackmail a Di Sione
Rachael Thomas
www.millsandboon.co.uk
RACHAEL THOMAS has always loved reading romance and is thrilled to be a Mills & Boon Modern Romance author. She lives and works on a farm in Wales—a far cry from the glamour of a Modern Romance story—but that makes slipping into her characters’ worlds all the more appealing. When she’s not writing or working on the farm she enjoys photography and visiting historical castles and grand houses. Visit her at rachaelthomas.co.uk.
Dear Reader,
I was really excited to be part of The Billionaire’s Legacy—and with authors I’ve loved reading for a long time. In fact, it was an honour.
I fell in love with my hero, Liev, and really enjoyed writing his and Bianca’s story, set against the backdrop of a city I always wanted to visit. When I did, I was totally swept up by it and didn’t want to leave.
I hope you enjoy meeting Liev and Bianca as much as I did.
Happy reading!
Rachael Xx
This is dedicated to fellow members of The Write Romantics: Jo Bartlett, Sharon Booth, Jackie Ladbury, Lynne Pardoe, Deirdre Palmer, Helen Phifer, Jessica Redland, Helen J Rolfe and Alys West. Thanks, ladies, for your friendship and support.
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
Introduction
The Billionaires Legacy
Title Page
About the Author
Dear Reader
Dedication
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Extract
Copyright
CHAPTER ONE
BIANCA DI SIONE SCANNED the busy conference room from her vantage point at the back, looking for her sister Allegra. The buzz of voices became louder as the room filled but she was too preoccupied to notice. She couldn’t quite shake off the sensation that things weren’t right with her sister. Not that she’d mentioned anything to her. That would be so unlike Allegra.
As the conference got under way, Bianca saw Allegra walking onto the stage and knew something was wrong. She was pale beneath the polished exterior she always showed to the world and Bianca felt guilty. She was about to add to that worry. The weight of their terminally ill grandfather’s request would only exacerbate whatever worried Allegra, but she had to talk to her. She needed to confide in someone and Allegra had always been that person. She’d stepped into the role of mother after the tragic loss of their parents when they were young and had always been there for her.
The final speaker was introduced but Bianca couldn’t concentrate; her mind kept replaying what her grandfather had asked of her last week. He’d been so frail, so weak, she hadn’t wanted to press him for more information, but now wished she had. All she had to go on was the tale of his Lost Mistresses, which she and her brothers and sisters had grown up on. Even more intriguing, she wasn’t the only grandchild to be sent on a mission to retrieve one of these Lost Mistresses, but she did understand how important they were to him. She recalled the many times he’d told them that these precious pieces were how he’d managed to set up Di Sione Shipping when he arrived in America. He’d always referred to them as their legacy.
‘Ms Di Sione. This is an unexpected pleasure.’
That voice, that accent which hadn’t quite had the roughened edges smoothed from it, startled her from her reverie. She turned and looked up into the hard but undeniably handsome face of Liev Dragunov.
He looked immaculate, his dark suit emphasising the hardness which sparked from his ice-grey eyes, his brown hair short and as severe as his expression. He looked formidable. Just as he had the first day she’d met him, when he’d approached her company to represent his. The firm line of his mouth hinted that a smile lingered just beneath the surface. Inwardly her heart plummeted. She didn’t need this, not today. Couldn’t the man take no for an answer?
‘Mr Dragunov. I trust you are here for legitimate reasons.’ The same unease she’d felt the very first time he’d stood in her office last week shivered down her spine. She even began to wonder if she was losing her ability to read a person. Allegra was being unusually evasive, probably due to all the travelling she’d done recently. But this man, with his commanding presence and dominating aura, unsettled her far too much.
‘Everything I do has a legitimate reason.’ Was that an undertone of threat in his accented voice?
She lifted a brow in speculation as she looked at him, not
totally immune to his bad-boy looks. Her gaze slid discreetly over him as he surveyed the room. He pulled at the cuffs of his white shirt, visible beneath his dark suit, as if he was preparing himself for some kind of battle or confrontation. In response she found herself compelled to stand just a little taller, as if hoping to match his height.
‘That may be so, but what possible reason could you have to be here, Mr Dragunov? Geneva is a long way from New York.’ He turned his attention back to her and she looked directly into his eyes, resisting the urge to shiver at the coldness in them. Instead she kept her chin lifted and her face a mask of composure, hiding her unease, something she’d become more than adept at over the years.
‘As I made a sizeable donation to the Di Sione Foundation, I think it is prudent to see what work is being done. Would you not agree, Ms Di Sione?’ He moved a little closer to her, lowering his voice, and even though his polite smile didn’t falter she sensed something more.
‘Do you have an interest in creating opportunities for women in developing countries, Mr Dragunov?’ Bianca couldn’t keep the crispness from her voice. Neither did she miss the hardening of his jaw, or the glint of steel in his eyes. Could he really be using the Di Sione Foundation as a way of speaking to her again? She’d made it clear her company was not in a position to handle his next launch campaign, something he obviously had difficulty accepting.
She clutched her folder tighter against her chest, unsure what it was about this man that made her feel nervous and also excited. He’d unlocked something inside her, provoked her in a way no other man had, and her instant response was to defend herself. But against what?
Already it was a sparring of words, just as it had been the first time he’d arrived in her office. She’d put her reaction to him down to shock of her grandfather’s request, but wasn’t so sure any more. Liev Dragunov was a force to be reckoned with and right now that was the last thing she wanted to do.
He didn’t take his eyes off her but she refused to look away, refused to give him even one tiny amount of power over her. She’d learnt that trick early on in life—how to outwardly remain in control when inside she was all nerves and apprehension. It was many years since a man had made her feel so uneasy, but it had never been quite like this. Not that she’d ever allow the Russian billionaire to know that, not when he brought out her insecurities and vulnerabilities with just one glacial look.
‘No. But I do have an interest in you.’ The answer was blatant and she almost let a shocked gasp slip out but managed to hold it back.
Only once before had a man been so bold about his interest in her and she’d almost fallen for it. Ten years on, the humiliation of her prom night still raced through her. Brought into the present by a man she instinctively didn’t trust, yet was drawn to, like a moth to an irresistible flame.
What was it about him? Well, there was no way she would be finding out. Life was far too busy at the moment to indulge in such nonsense.
‘I explained last week, Mr Dragunov, that I am not in a position to represent you or your company.’ Irritation caused her words to be sharp and unyielding and his eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion, adding to his aura of power.
‘I don’t believe that.’ He moved a step closer and she caught a hint of his aftershave, as strong and dominating as the man himself.
She couldn’t look away, her gaze locking with his. Her pulse leapt and she wondered if she’d ever breathe normally again. Just when she thought she couldn’t keep up the pretence of indifference any longer he stepped back.
‘And I don’t believe you do.’ He continued before she could gather herself and form a reply. He looked back out across the room as he spoke, giving her much-needed time for recovery. When he turned his attention to her once more she was ready for him. ‘You don’t believe it at all.’
He really was pushing her too far and she glared at him, wondering if she should summon security. Then she recalled what he said, that he’d made a sizeable donation to the charity. Her sister’s charity. She couldn’t very well have him thrown out.
Allegra had enough worries at the moment and she couldn’t heap on more, just because of a man who didn’t understand no. She would have to deal with this herself. There was no way she could run a PR campaign for his company when it was a competitor of her biggest client. Couldn’t he understand that?
‘I meant what I said, Mr Dragunov.’ She stayed behind the protective mask of professionalism she always wore, even though inside, things she’d long ago locked away were now being disturbed, just by his very presence. ‘I am not in a position to discuss this now, but you are welcome to make an appointment with my secretary on your return to New York.’
Applause filled the room and she forced her attention to the stage, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he still had power over her. Somehow he’d gained the advantage; she had no idea how, but he was now in a position above her and able to use that power. ‘If you will excuse me, I need to speak with my sister,’ she said quickly, grasping at the first thing she could think of. She hadn’t felt this out of her depth for many years.
He looked at her, his hard gaze piercing into her soul, as if he could see everything she’d ever run from. She didn’t like it, not one bit. There were enough worries on her mind without Liev Dragunov and his persistence adding to them.
‘Have dinner with me tonight, Ms Di Sione. If after that you still do not want to represent my company, then I shall leave you in peace.’
Dinner? With this man? Why did the idea of sitting at a table over a glass of wine and dinner set her pulse racing so wildly?
‘My answer will still be the same.’ She kept her air of indifference, desperate to hide the rush of strange emotions which were now flowing through her. She hadn’t had dinner with a man for a long time.
‘Then nothing will be lost and we will have had the pleasure of one another’s company.’ A hint of a smile played on his lips and she wondered how he would look if he really smiled. Would that hard expression soften? If it did, he’d melt every female heart in the vicinity.
‘If I agree,’ she began, not knowing where the words were coming from or why she was playing with fire in such a reckless way, ‘you will find you have had a wasted evening, Mr Dragunov.’
‘That is a chance I’m prepared to take.’ He smiled at her, confirming her suspicions. He was lethal and already she could feel the innocent woman within her stirring, imagining things that would never be possible. Not with this man.
‘What I’m saying, Mr Dragunov, is that I will not, under any circumstances, change my mind.’
‘Just dinner, then? You are staying at this hotel, are you not?’ He glanced at his watch and she found herself studying his strong hands, blushing slightly as he looked back at her.
‘Yes, I am.’ Suspicion raced through her. He seemed to know just a little too much about her, but she dismissed the idea as far-fetched, deciding she would uncover the reasons for his persistence.
‘I will meet you in the lounge at seven-thirty.’ His clipped tones, made harsh by his accent, brooked no argument, but she wasn’t about to allow him to dominate her. If he still wanted her company to represent his, he had to realise she called the shots.
‘I’m not sure it’s such a good idea.’ Bianca remained forceful, keeping her words strong. He was like no other man she’d met; he was indomitable, but there was something else. When he’d left her office she’d made her usual client searches, but nothing had shown up. No reason to refuse his business other than the fact that he was a potential competitor of her brother’s company, ICE.
‘A business dinner, Ms Di Sione.’ The broad width of his shoulders rose as he drew in a deep breath, the only hint that he was working at keeping up the cool aloofness which almost dripped from him. ‘It is still my hope that I can persuade you to represent my company.’
‘That isn’t possible,’ she began, but to her disbelief he cut her off midsentence.
‘Just dinner.’
Liev watched Bianca Di Sione look around the room as the speaker finished to a rapturous applause. He couldn’t help a smile of satisfaction. Finally, he’d begun to crack the ice princess. His previous attempts, all businesslike and professional, had missed their target, but it seemed that, like most women and one in particular from his past, fine wine and candlelight dining were all that was required. The auction brochure on Bianca’s desk last week had given him that clue; if sparkling jewels caught her attention, then so would dinner, even if it was offered and accepted under the guise of a business meal.
As they’d spoken he’d had to fight off the image of Bianca, long dark hair flowing freely around her shoulders as she sat opposite him at dinner, candles glowing, highlighting her beauty. The image filled his mind and fired his body with heat. No, he couldn’t allow anything to threaten his plans. Even an attractive woman...and he knew well enough just how distracting and destructive a beautiful woman could be.
He’d slammed the door shut on such thoughts, pushing them roughly from his mind. Physically wanting the haughty Bianca Di Sione was not part of his plan. His strategy was to ensure her company represented his, allowing him to get closer to his ultimate goal. She was a necessary means to an end. Nothing more.
‘Just dinner.’ She glanced at her watch, then echoed his thoughts. ‘Nothing more.’
‘You have my word.’
She looked back at him and frowned. Briefly he caught a glimpse of vulnerability in the blue of her eyes as they met his, but then the glittering of icicles in hers froze him out. ‘Why should I trust you? I don’t know anything about you, Mr Dragunov. For a man with such a successful company, it is hard to find any information about you.’
So she had been researching him. She might have turned down the very generous amount he’d offered for her company to represent his, but she had still been interested enough to find out more. As always, money talked. ‘I think you will find, the same can be said of yourself, Ms Di Sione.’
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