The Moretti Seduction Read Online Free

in his race car and attempted things no other man had ever done.
    “See? We already have something in common.”
    She arched one eyebrow at him. “Really? That’s the connection you are going to make?”
    “In this battle, with the stakes being what they are, I’ll start as small as I have to.”
    “Why do you want this so bad? As you said, Moretti Motors can rename the car.”
    “Because Moretti Motors’ Vallerio Roadster is revered by car collectors all over the world. The demand for this model, the styling and racing lines that Lorenzo designed along with Pierre-Henri’s engine design are legendary.”
    “So you do need us?” she asked.
    “Maybe.”
    Antonio took Nathalie’s hand and drew her closer to the cathedral. “Did you know that Duomo here has never really been completed?”
    She shook her head. “I don’t know that much about this church.”
    “I won’t tell you the history, only that she is constantly being updated and added to. The church itself is never going to be finished because there is always some way to improve on its beauty, to improve on its function.
    “It is the same for Moretti Motors. We are not content to sit around and think that we have accomplished one thing and that is enough. We must constantly change, constantly drive forward into the future. What we are offering you, Nathalie, and the entire Vallerio family and its investors is a chance to be a part of our drive to the future.”
    Nathalie drew her hand free of his. “You are a smooth talker, you know that, right?”
    “Sì,” he said with a smile. “I think you like that about me.”
    “I like a lot about you, Antonio. But that doesn’t mean that I think doing business with your company would be in our best interests.”
    “Why not?” he asked.
    She walked around the entrance to the cathedral. The statues that guarded it looked down upon them. This cathedral was one of the most famous in the world, the second largest to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome itself. Every Catholic in Milan was proud that this was their house of worship, and Antonio offered a quick prayer that God would make this moment a turning point for him and Moretti Motors.
    “ Grandpere used to say that Lorenzo was a smooth-tongued devil who had a way of seducing even the staunchest rival,” she said. “And I can see now what he meant. I think you inherited Lorenzo’s charm.”
    “You should meet my father.”
    “I guess all of the Moretti men have that gift. Do you know what we Vallerios have?”
    “A gift for speed and a quest for knowledge,” he said. The legacy of Pierre-Henri wasn’t one that he took lightly. That was one of the main reasons why he, Marco and Dominic had decided to go this route. They could have taken an easier path with relaunching their production car, but the only car they wanted to relaunch was the Vallerio.
    “We also have a way of seeing through the smoke and mirrors to the truth behind them,” she said.
    “Keep looking, Nathalie. There is nothing but truth and sincerity here. At Moretti Motors we want both of our companies to grow and prosper. We want both of our names to be remembered by history.”
    “You paint a pretty picture, Antonio, almost as pretty as this Gothic cathedral you’ve brought me to see, but I know that inside the walls of this place and behind the beauty of your offer lie more secrets.”
    “In the church perhaps, but I have laid all my cards on the boardroom table.”
    “Somehow I doubt that. It would leave you with nothing new to negotiate with.”
    He laughed at that. “Well, maybe I’ve kept one or two back.”
    “I have too. I’m not going to change my position tonight. To be honest I doubt we will ever be able to reach an agreement. There is too much bad blood between our families.”
    “But not between us. That was two stubborn old men who liked to argue. We are two young, vibrant people who know that there is more to life than fighting,” Antonio said.
    “Do