Fortune: The Original Snogbuster

He looked pleased and clapped his hands. ‘I see you learn the lingo already. Have you had the chance to have a look round?’

Sapphire nodded. ‘It’s really lovely.’

‘It’s really lovely,’ Madison mimicked in a stupid English accent. She turned on her side with her back to them. Simonetta was completely motionless again, as if she had fallen asleep.

Tito’s eyes twinkled at Sapphire.

‘And from your observations, Sapphire,’ he asked, ‘what sort of man do you think Signor Masters is?’

Sapphire hesitated. ‘Well, he’s obviously into his art and music. Mr Masters clearly likes to be surrounded by beautiful things. But…’ She stopped, not wanting to seem rude.

‘Go on,’ Tito said, smiling.

‘Oh, I don’t know. It really is a beautiful place, but there’s just something a bit…’ Sapphire wrinkled her forehead, trying to think of the right words. ‘Empty about it, do you know what I mean? Like, it’s not very homely. I’m not slagging it off,’ she added hastily.

Tito laughed. ‘I am sure you’re not! Casa Eleganza is a little like, how do you say it, a blank canvas?’

‘Yeah,’ agreed Sapphire. ‘Normally you can get a feeling for someone from their house, but I don’t feel I know anything about Brad Masters.’

Tito’s eyes twinkled again. ‘Maybe Signor Masters likes it that way.’

Sapphire hesitated, thinking of the boy she’d bumped into earlier – the one who’d been so horrible to her. ‘Tito, I ran into this guy earlier. Black hair and green eyes, what’s his—’

‘Heavens, boy! Are you bothering these girls, Tito?’ Maggie walked alongside the pool towards them, wearing what looked like a dark-green version of the navy dress she had been wearing yesterday. ‘Haven’t you got any jobs to do?’ she said to Tito, though her tone wasn’t cross. Tito bowed and, giving Sapphire a cheeky smile, waltzed off.

‘He’s a good lad, Tito, but Lord can he talk the hind legs off a donkey,’ Maggie chuckled. She stood over the girls, hands on sturdy hips. ‘How are you all doing today?’ she asked.

Madison sat up, ignoring the question. ‘Are the other guests here yet? When’s Brad flying in?’

‘Hold your horses, young woman,’ Maggie told her. ‘I actually came to tell you that Mr Masters will be arriving by helicopter later on today. He’d like you to join him on the terrace at seven o’clock.’

‘Seven o’clock?’ said Madison. ‘You seriously expect me to be ready by then? It’s, like, the evening already.’

‘It’s not even lunchtime yet,’ said Sapphire. ‘You’ve got plenty of time.’

‘Maybe you do,’ said Madison, getting up from the sun lounger. ‘Some of us like to look good.’

Lying on her sunbed, Simonetta’s lips twitched into a smile. ‘And some of us look good naturally,’ she said airily.

Madison stared at her. ‘Bitch,’ she said, eventually. ‘You do not know who you’re messing with.’

‘I’m sorry, did I offend you?’ asked Simonetta. ‘I was just making an observation.’

Maggie stepped between the two girls. ‘Madison, why don’t you go up to your room. I’ll help you get ready if you like.’ She ushered Madison towards the house. Before she left, she turned to Sapphire and smiled. ‘Brad does not know what he’s getting himself into,’ she said.

No, thought Sapphire. I’m sure he doesn’t.

But do we?

Chapter seven (#ulink_6e9a014a-f54f-5c33-9df9-8f588e410b60)

The tension in the air was palpable. Madison sighed. ‘Where is he? We’ve been waiting for years.’

Sapphire checked her watch. It was quarter past seven.

‘He’s probably on the phone or something,’ she said. The three of them were on the terrace, waiting for the grand arrival of Brad Masters. They had all heard a helicopter whirring overhead a moment ago and now it sat on the helipad, like a giant insect resting. A man had got out and walked into the house through another door, ignoring them.

Madison sighed. ‘I needn’t have rushed after all. Do you know I had to do my hair in two hours tonight?’

She certainly looked the part in a shocking pink Versace dress and sparkly Dolce and Gabanna stilettos. Simonetta, who was standing in the shadows looking out to sea, was the epitome of Italian sexiness in a backless black dress, her sheet of dark hair cascading down her back. Sapphire, by contrast, had plumped for a smock dress over leggings and flat sandals. She wished she’d bought another pair of heels; she felt like a dwarf next to Simonetta and Madison.

Simonetta turned back towards the other two. ‘Something’s going on,’ she announced dramatically. ‘Something weird.’

Madison frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Think about it,’ Simonetta said loftily. ‘We are here for a party, but where are the other guests? It has just been us three since we got here.’

‘You’re right, you know,’ Sapphire said. She had been thinking the same thing herself.

Madison’s eyes widened. ‘But why would he invite just the three of us, all the way out here?’ Her eyes flickered over Sapphire. ‘After all, I can’t imagine what we’ve got in common.’

A man’s deep voice spoke behind them. ‘Ah, an inquiring mind. That’s what I like to see, young lady.’

They all spun round to see Brad Masters standing on the terrace. Even in the fading light, Sapphire could see he had an aura. He was tall – at least six foot two – with hair that had once been black, but was now greying around the temples. He was dressed in an expensive, lightweight grey suit (Armani, Simonetta noticed) with an open-necked black shirt underneath. He looked tanned, confident and simply oozing with power and money.

Brad Masters stepped forward and took Madison’s hand. ‘Madison, isn’t it? Delighted to meet you.’

‘And I’m delighted to meet you, Mr Masters,’ she gushed, eyes darting furiously to check him out. The Patek Philippe watch on his wrist must have cost a hundred grand!

He smiled easily. ‘Call me Brad.’

Simonetta wasted no time getting in next. ‘Simonetta Mastrangelo,’ she announced, giving Brad her hand. To her disappointment he didn’t kiss it.

‘Good evening, Simonetta,’ Brad replied. ‘I’ve seen your face before. You’re a model, aren’t you?’

Simonetta shot a smug look at Madison. Brad turned to Sapphire, who was standing at the back.

‘Last but not least, you must be Sapphire. Hello.’

‘Hello there,’ said Sapphire, blushing. Brad Masters was standing right there, in front of her! He shook her hand formally and his grip was strong and warm. Brad stepped back and surveyed the three of them.

‘I trust you’re enjoying your stay.’

‘Oh, we’re having a ball,’ Madison breathed, determined to strike up conversation first. ‘You have a really beautiful home. Of course, I’ve stayed in places as big as this before, but none quite so amazing. Your décor is really something,’ she added.

Brad smiled at her, as if he were slightly amused by something. ‘Thank you, Madison. I like it.’

‘How was your trip, Brad? Did you make any good deals?’ Simonetta asked, casually putting one hand on her hip to show off the outline of her body. She knew that when it came to powerful men, the way to impress them was by talking business.