Steele 05 - Irresistible Forces

magazines and he wasn’t as old as this guy. Was this an uncle perhaps?
    “Madam Steele, thank you for seeing me,” he said with a deep French accent as he crossed the room to her. He leaned over and placed a kiss on the back of her hand.
    “You’re welcome,” she said, thinking whoever he was, he was a true Frenchman.
    When he straightened, a smile touched the corners of his lips. “You seem in a quandary as to who I am.”
    “Yes,” Taylor said, studying the man’s features. She would put his age in his early seventies. “It’s obvious you’re related to Dominic.”
    She saw a sudden shadow that crossed the man’s green eyes, eyes that were so much like Dominic’s it was uncanny. “Yes, I am related to Dominic,” he said in a somewhat soft voice that dampened the smile he wore. “I am Franco Marcello Saxon, the grandfather Dominic refuses to acknowledge that he has.”

Chapter 12
    A t first Taylor could have sworn she had heard the older man wrong, but a part of her knew deep down she’d heard him right. There was no doubt in her mind that the man standing before her was Dominic’s grandfather, and since Dominic had denied having any living grandparents, she could only wonder why he refused to acknowledge the man’s very existence.
    “B-but why would Dominic do such a thing?” she asked, knowing the man would be able to provide her with an answer.
    “It’s a long story, one you have a right to know.”
    She wondered how he figured that. He evidently saw the question in her eyes and said, “Because you are the woman who will give birth to my great-grandchild and more than anything, I want to be a part of its life.”
    Taylor wondered how he knew about the baby. Again, as if he’d known what she was thinking, he said, “My son and daughter-in-law were excited about the news and were happy to share it with me.”
    Taylor nodded. If that was the case, that meant he and Dominic’s parents were on speaking terms. If they were then why not Dominic?
    “I know you have a lot of questions, Madam Steele, and I would be honored if you joined me for dinner so I can explain things to you.”
    “Dinner?”
    “Yes.”
    Taylor thought about the invitation. Regardless of whether or not he was on good terms with his grandfather, Dominic should have mentioned the man’s existence to her. No matter what degree of discord subsisted between the two men, the one standing before was her baby’s great-grandfather. So, she made a decision. “Yes, I would love to join you for dinner.”
    * * *
    As soon as they entered the Marcinelli Restaurant, Taylor could tell the man by her side was used to dining in elegance. She glanced up at the vaulted ceilings with intricate carvings and bordered by rich-looking marble that seemed to blend into the stone walls. The spacious interior provided an air of sophistication and style, and the floor-to-ceiling windows and handmade pottery that sat on each table promised ambience as classy as the food the restaurant served.
    They were led to a private room in the back of the restaurant and she was just as impressed with the furnishings and decor. The window looked out into a massive garden. Taylor was never one to appreciate a lot of greenery but she did so now.
    Once they had been seated and their choice of wine ordered, Franco Saxon glanced over at her and smiled. “I’m glad you are joining me, Taylor. It means a lot.”
    She believed him, just as she believed him earlier, during the drive over, when he’d said that no matter how Dominic felt about him, he loved his grandson.
    “And I appreciate the invitation to join you.”
    They began talking about everything but Dominic for the first half hour while waiting for their food to arrive. He told her that his health hadn’t been the best lately, but he was getting better and that his travels to the United States were infrequent. She discovered his love of classical music as well as his opposition to anything that restricted world trade. That was understandable considering he had made his millions in the import and export business.
    “I can see why my grandson has fallen in love with you, Taylor.”
    Taylor froze with the glass of apple juice halfway to her lips. She wasn’t sure what to say, since she didn’t have a clue just what Dominic had told his parents about her. So to play it safe, she said something she knew wasn’t a lie. “And I love Dominic just as deeply.”
    She leaned back in her chair. “So,