Cruel Seduction

Cruel Seduction

by Elizabeth Herbst

Published by Elizabeth Herbst at Smashwords

Copyright © 2011 Elizabeth Herbst

All rights reserved.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

.

Front Matter Picture Credits:

(c) Miranda Salia | Dreamstime.com

(c) Chantal Ringuette | Dreamstime.com

(c) XposeId | Dreamstime.com

PROLOGUE

The moments just before and after sunset were marked by a respectful silence in all parts of the island. Even the light evening breeze appeared to still its rustling through the majestic palms and brilliant bougainvillea. It was as if the entire island solemnly awaited the touch of God in those moments of golden tranquility. These were moments of solemnity that were cherished by all inhabitants.

Unfortunately these moments were short-lived for darkness came swiftly and along with it, blinding artificial lights and the noise of tourists.

The sunset was especially spectacular this evening, with orange, yellow, pink and purple hues blending to form a watercolor kaleidoscope in a cloudless sky. Slowly Amanda Stewart Bianchi took another sip of white wine and turned to walk back across the beach toward the small cottage. The islands had never been more beautiful to her than it had been the last few months. Maybe it was because she had met the man of her dreams three months ago. She had been looking at the world around her through the rose colored glasses of being in love.

Paolo would be home soon and she had been looking forward to a special evening with him. She stepped up on the wooden porch and turned back to glance one last time at the evening sky as the sun saluted and disappeared behind the horizon.

Paolo had been tense and distant the last few days and she could not get any answers from him, not wanting to seem too pushy. He had just begun working at a local hotel as an assistant manager and maybe the pressure of all that responsibility was getting to him.

Tonight marked their three month anniversary since they met and also exactly two weeks since their small, but lovely, wedding ceremony on this same beach. It was a special occasion and she took the day off work in order to plan and prepare a delicious dinner, complete with candles, flowers, wine and his favorite music. Whatever it was that had been bothering Paolo, she was sure it would evaporate in the romance of the evening.

The sound of a car pulling up outside quickly brought Amanda back to reality and her heart skipped a beat with excitement and expectation. Paulo was home. He was earlier than usual and she still had to make the salad and arrange the flowers. At least she had finished dressing and her auburn hair was pinned up in Paolo’s favorite style.

The front door opened and closed with a loud bang and she quickly stepped from the kitchen into the living room to greet her husband.

Hi honey! I’m so glad you’re home early. I have a special…. An intense scowl on his face brought Amanda to an abrupt halt. Is everything all right?

No, nothing is right. I have to leave. His gruff, staccato words cut through her and she could feel icy hands of dread crawling up her spine.

What do you mean you have to leave? She could barely squeeze the words between her lips, reaching for her throat in anticipation of what was to come.

I… He seemed to falter when he looked into her eyes, and then his glance nervously jumped around the room and ended up at some obscure object on the bookcase to her right. I received some bad news from Italy this afternoon.

From Italy? You mean, from your family?

Yes, somehow they found out where I was, because I received a letter from an attorney ordering me to return as soon as possible. Apparently something really terrible has happened. The words were coming out fast and he seemed to be almost winded and out of breath. Amanda quickly stepped forward, grabbing his arm and leading him to the couch.

Honey, come sit down. Would you like a glass of wine? Concern for Paolo now replaced the panic that had started to crawl up her spine a minute before, but the feeling of dread lingered.

No thank you, I just need to get my thoughts under control and figure out what I should do. With a long sigh he sat down on the couch with Amanda next to him, her hand on his shoulder.

Well, did the letter say anything else? What could have happened that you have to return to Italy?

No, it didn’t say anything else; just that I need to get there as soon as possible.

Do you have any idea who in your family could have initiated this? Your older brother has been in charge of the farm since your parents passed away, right? Who else would demand your return? Maybe if they calmly thought this through, they could make some sense out of the puzzle.

Paolo did not seem to be hearing anything, sitting slumped on the couch with his head in his hands.

Honey, do you have any other family members that you may have forgotten about? It has been so many years since you’ve seen them that maybe…

There’s no one else, Amanda. His head snapped up and the cold gleam in his eyes caused her hand on his shoulder to freeze. Could you please stop asking so many questions? I told you I have not had any contact with my brother for over a decade! I have no idea why he suddenly wants me to come back.

Amanda was silent, a frown of confusion forming between her eyes. Then she asked tentatively, Is there any way you could contact him to get some more information and find out what...

Stop it! I have to think! He jumped up from the couch and angrily walked to the bedroom, slamming the door with a loud thud that reverberated through the frame of their cozy beach cottage.

In a daze Amanda stood up, the romantic evening she had planned completely forgotten. If Paolo’s older brother wanted him to return after so much bad blood had passed between them, and so much time, maybe something really terrible had indeed happened. They would have to go, she thought. She would support him and go with him to face that ogre of a brother who so rudely kicked Paolo out of the house without giving him a chance to even grieve over his parents’ tragic death. Just because he had cunningly gained control of the entire farm, did not give him the authority to manage Paolo’s life after more than a decade of separation. She would stand by Paolo’s side to support him one hundred percent.

Feeling better after she had given this unexpected news some thought, Amanda returned to the kitchen to finish her preparations for dinner. After a wholesome meal and a glass of wine with soothing background music, she was hopeful that Paolo would be calmer and more able to discuss the situation.

She had just finished setting the dishes on the table, and lighting the candles, when she heard the bedroom door open and Paolo’s footsteps coming toward the dining area. With a smile she turned around and stepped closer to him, putting her arms around his waist and laying her head on his chest.

Everything will be all right, honey, together we can conquer anything. I’ll be by your side every step of the way.

No! Paolo placed his hands firmly on the hands clasped so lovingly behind his back. He loosened her grip and pushed her to step back from him. This is something serious. I just know it. Without a glance at the romantically inviting table-setting in front of him, he turned to walk back into the living room.

Completely flustered and confused, Amanda followed him, desperate to help him view this in a calmer light.

Why don’t we sit down and eat something, then we can calmly figure this… The words froze in her throat when her eyes fell on the duffel bag by the front door.

Paolo? What is going on? Is this so urgent that we have to leave right now?

"No, Amanda, I, not we, have to leave right now. The forcefulness of his words hit her like a fist in the stomach. Speechless, she could only stare at him with eyes filled with fear and the dread of abandonment. Seeing her paleness, he softened and placed his arms around her. I’m so sorry. I don’t want you to worry about anything. I want nothing more than to stay here with you, but I have to do this. There are things I have to work out on my own and I need you to understand and allow me to do it. Can you do that for me?"

As tears welled up in her eyes, she could barely utter the words. Yes, you know I love you and I only want what’s best for you. I just don’t understand why I can’t come with you. His finger on her lips halted any further argument.

Like you said, everything will be all right. I won’t be gone long, and I’ll call you as soon as I can. Softly, he kissed her cold, trembling lips, lingering there until her love for him swelled up in her and she surrendered completely, ending the moment with a passionate farewell kiss. She had difficulty releasing him from her embrace, but somehow she found the strength to let him go. She stood by in silence as he picked up his duffel bag and opened the front door.

Paolo? ... I love you. She whispered softly, longing and desperation in her gaze as he turned around to look at her one last time.

I’ve called a taxi to pick me up at the end of the lane. I better get going otherwise I’m going to miss the guy. With a quick smile and a short wave of his hand, Paolo turned and started to jog, duffel bag in hand, down the lane toward the road. Standing on the porch, watching as her loving husband disappeared around the first bend in the lane, Amanda felt those icy fingers of dread crawling along her spine again.

CHAPTER ONE

The familiar rat-tat-tat on the front door announced Melanie’s arrival at Amanda's beach cottage. She quickly drew a hand through her hair and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief to remove any sign of tears. Three weeks had gone by since Paolo’s hasty departure and Amanda still had not heard anything from him. Since that dreadful day when he left for Italy, she had thrown herself into her work at the University. Melanie, her colleague and friend, stopped by frequently to make sure she was all right, but Amanda did not feel like socializing much.

Since Paolo left, the feelings of despondence had returned. Orphaned at the age of three with no other living relatives, state officials had sent Amanda to a group home for orphans and unwed mothers. She lived there for fifteen years and at the age of eighteen, she had packed a small duffel bag of meager belongings and left for the Virgin Islands with the little money she had saved doing yard work and chores in and around the group home.

Life began again for her when she reached the Virgin Islands. She met Melanie, who lived on Saint Thomas, on the plane and they became instant friends. She stayed with Melanie for a few months until she was able to secure a position and rent a quaint little cottage overlooking Limetree Bay. Melanie was an administrative assistant in the Public Relations department and recommended Amanda for a position at the bookstore on the Saint Thomas campus.

It didn’t take long for her superiors to notice Amanda’s talent for organization, multi-tasking and keeping bookstore volunteers focused and on task, skills she had acquired at the group home for orphans. She was promptly transferred to the Research and Public Service arm of the University, a challenging position handling various outreach programs for the University, and a job that Amanda had found a passion for.

Lately work had been a solace for her, however, nothing seemed to be able to cover the hole that Paolo’s departure had left in her heart. And as time went by she was becoming more and more concerned for his well-being, since she was yet to hear any news from him.

She had also been feeling very listless and fatigued, with frequent bouts of nausea. Melanie had suggested that she do a pregnancy test, but somehow she just could not muster the courage to do so. That morning Melanie put her foot down and told her that she would be by that evening with a pregnancy test. Melanie was determined that Amanda should take the test, even if she had to hold Amanda down to do it. Amanda smiled at the thought of petite Melanie sitting on top of her waving a pregnancy test in front of her nose. At least her sense of humor was still intact, she thought as she opened the door for her friend.

Hi, Melanie, come on in!

Well, what a busy Friday at Public Relations! At one point I didn’t think I was going to get out of there! With a flamboyant wave she swept across the threshold and gave Amanda a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek, all the while talking non-stop with arms waving like reeds in the wind. This upcoming Invitation Volleyball Tournament has everybody in a tizzy, because the Olympic team from Brazil will be here. We’re getting calls from media all over the world wanting to cover the event. My goodness! It’s just volleyball!

I guess it’s been a while since an Olympic gold medal team graced us with their presence. It’s a big deal. Amanda closed the door and followed her friend to the living room. It was with great effort that Amanda tried to appear interested in Melanie’s drama of the hour. Volleyball was certainly the last thing she wanted to think about.

Oh, Dear! You look absolutely frightful! What can I do to cheer you up?

Any news from Paolo would be top on my list, Melanie. I’m getting really worried now. Amanda said with a cheery smile that contradicted the worry in her eyes. How is it possible that he could not call or write in three weeks? I keep telling myself that he must have a good reason, because it’s just not like him to be so silent. He always calls me at least twice a day just to hear my voice. This is just not normal.

Well, like you said, there has to be a good reason, but we did decide that tonight we’re going to start taking some action, didn’t we? Come on, let’s get started. While you’re doing your thing, I’ll whip up some dinner and we can sit back and enjoy the sunset. We are going to develop a super plan of action for your situation. Without any further ado, Melanie shoved Amanda in the direction of the bathroom, stuffing a small brown paper bag in her hand.

The sun was already caressing the horizon casting deep hues of orange and red across the landscape, when Amanda emerged from the bathroom. She handed a plastic stick to Melanie. I don’t want to look.

No problem, dear. Come sit down. I’ve prepared a gourmet dinner of tuna salad sandwiches, pickles, and ginger-ale.

Amanda took the food plates from Melanie and they stepped out onto the porch to eat their dinner in silence.

The sky had deepened to a crimson red and Amanda wondered if it could be a sign of foreboding. A solemn Melanie was the first to break their silence.

My dear, do you have any information on Paolo’s family, or where his brother’s farm is located?

He didn’t tell me much about his family, because it was so painful for him. He did mention that the farm is located near Tuscany. I have no idea what kind of farm, but I assumed it was a small farm with some sort of cattle.

Do you have copies of any of Paolo’s identity papers, or any mail that he may have received that could give us a starting point?

I went through his bedside drawer where he kept his correspondence, but could only find local mail and papers originating here on the islands. Nothing pertaining to his family in Italy or anywhere else. With a sigh, Amanda rose from the rocking chair, taking Melanie’s plate. Let’s go inside before it gets too dark out here.

After washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen, they both settled on the couch with a glass of cold ginger ale. Melanie had lost her exuberance, taking her cue from Amanda’s dismal mood. She glanced at her friend with renewed concern. Amanda had lost some weight these past few weeks and she looked pale, although still lovely with a full head of shoulder-length auburn curls. Melanie was determined to do everything she could to help her friend who had endured so much in her life. When Melanie first met Amanda, her impression was that Amanda had the maturity level