The Claim Read Online Free Page B

a black-and-white picture of him. He looked as slick as ever, the camera catching him at an angle that sharpened his cheekbones and emphasised his devilishness. “Not dead then, shot by some slut’s husband.”
    What did it all matter? It happened so long ago, she could barely remember what it was like to have him tuck a present into her bag, or turn up at her flat with food in tow, or give her a shoulder massage while testing her on business accounts. She couldn’t remember being called Tempesta because of how passionately she argued a point of law. It was just the “Prick Phase.” Meant absolutely nothing. Until now.
    Now, he was everywhere. In her office, in her work, in her life, her head. As if it all happened a half hour ago, only to Groundhog Day on her. Rocco would say to her, usually after a verbal lashing to whomever asked for it, “I can see it on your face when you’re about to go nuclear on someone. I sort of feel sorry for them, but stupidity is curable. I like to think you’re being charitable. Almost.”
    One hop, skip and a jump from his voice was how his touch was tattooed over her body, just like his mouth on her neck, his palms on her breasts, his thighs between hers and that cock of his. Christ, the way he used it, as if it bent to his will, hitting her just so right, she was taking Strepsils for her throat for days on end. For the first time in such a long time, she let her guard down. Anna Taylor, ice queen who’d stake a Hans Christian Andersen witch with a half-arsed glance, let someone be close to her. Anna Taylor, who hadn’t shed a tear for Rocco and his betrayal, found herself waking up at three, four in the morning, in tears because it turned out her memory was a lot sharper than she’d fooled herself to believe.  
     

Chapter Five
     
    Nothing worth having was ever happened upon with ease. Rocco was very tempted to have that tattooed somewhere painful on his body every time he lost ground with Anna. That she’d taken Nonna’s case was purely incidental. Charles asked just as Rocco was on his way to meet with a QC for a fraud trial, “Is the lovely Ms. Taylor dealing with your grandmother’s case?”
    “Yes she is, with as much grace as I thought she’d offer.”
    “And you know your contract keeps you here for three years.”
    Rocco’s left eyebrow winged upwards. “I’ve just landed a case worth around two million. Do you really think I’m going anywhere?”
    Charles smirked. “I’m almost curious to see if Anna can push you out.”
    “I’m very good at taking whatever Anna dishes out.”
    “What a torrid love affair you two must have had.”
    “See you later, Charles.” Rocco didn’t look up from the papers and made his way to the car park. The whole cheating ex-boyfriend role was really wearing thin. Despite his origins, particularly his grandmother’s ancestry with the Sicilian Mafia, Rocco valued his integrity. He’d watched his own mother’s liveliness being flaked away every time she discovered a new mistress, a new girlfriend, a new set-up for the females intent on having jewellery and flats from her husband, Rocco’s father. And it was his father’s lack of foresight beyond anything with breasts that cost him his relationship with Anna.
    Rocco had been on the path to working exclusively with pharmaceuticals. It was how he met Beppe and introduced him to both Tony and Nick. What the two of them didn’t know about compounds and chemicals wasn’t worth knowing. The first time his father had been arrested on suspicion of fraud, his mother called him and asked him to get the Da Canaveze solicitors to help him. Rocco sat in the police station, the Blackstone’s Criminal Practice book on his lap while he waited. His father barely escaped without a charge. It had been too close, and the lawyers admitted it. Rocco demanded a copy of the interview tape and saw exactly where the solicitors had gone wrong and almost helped send his father to prison.
    So