A knock came on the door and a young man stepped inside. “Sis! Hey, Sis!”
Gemma came back with the child in her arms. She gave Leo a stern look before addressing the newcomer. “Tyler! What are you doing here?”
“I just came by to see if you had any news on the tuition money.”
Gemma’s shoulders slumped. She shook her head. “Tyler, it’s only been a few days. I need more time.”
“Well, yeah.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I figured you might.”
“Did you have any luck finding a better paying job?” she asked quietly, trying to cut Leo out of the conversation.
Leo wasn’t content to be ignored. He made a point of studying the apartment, making sure both Tyler and Gemma knew he was there. The child in her arms watched him carefully, one thumb in his mouth.
“No such luck. Hey, kid. Come here, buddy.” Tyler took the child from Gemma’s arms, kissing his tummy and making him giggle. “Did you have a good day?”
The child clapped his hands on either side of Tyler’s cheeks and made a big production of kissing him on the lips.
Tyler grinned and hugged him close. “That’s the best thing to happen to me today.” He set the little boy down near some blocks and turned to Leo. “You her new boyfriend?”
“Tyler!” Gemma flushed red.
Leo was still trying to figure out the dynamic between these two siblings. “Something like that. You are Gemma’s brother?”
“Yeah, Tyler. Sis has been helping me finish school. She’s a real gem, aren’t you, Gemma?” Tyler laughed at his own wordplay.
Gemma looked very uncomfortable. “Don’t you have someplace to be?”
Leo hid his smirk. Anxious to be alone with me again? As soon as your brother takes his kid and gets out, you and I can discuss the future, he promised Gemma silently.
Tyler consulted his watch and grimaced. “Yeah, I’m supposed to be at work in ten minutes.”
Gemma gave a look of disbelief. “The pizza shop is on the other side of D.C. That’s at least a thirty minute drive this time of day.”
Tyler waved her concern off. “Yeah, I’m not worried. Who else are they going to get to drive around this town until two o’clock in the morning?” When Gemma glowered at him, he rolled his eyes. “Fine, I’ll call and tell them I’m going to be a little late.”
He reached down and tickled the boy. “See ya, kid.” He nodded to Leo. “Nice to meet you.” He stopped, as if remembering that Leo hadn’t actually introduced himself, but shrugged. “Have fun.”
He left the same way he’d entered, slamming the door behind him. Leo frowned, wondering why he didn’t take his child with him. He turned to Gemma to see her picking up the little boy.
She squared her shoulders. “I think it’s time you left as well.”
“And I think you should tell me what arrangement you and your brother have. Are you his babysitter and bank?” Leo’s tone was aggressive. He suddenly had a suspicion that while Tyler was content to play college boy, his sister was working herself to the death to provide money for his tuition and helping to raise his child. Tyler looked to be in his early twenties. Why Gemma would allow herself to be used in such a manner puzzled him.
“My brother has nothing to do with us.” The child squirmed and Gemma put him down.
The door opened before she could say more. Tyler popped his head back in. “Hey, I forgot to tell you. They’re offering free vaccinations at the medical clinic on campus this weekend. I thought maybe we could take Damien…”
Damien? Leo looked at the child and the light dawned. Damien is a child, not Gemma’s husband. His sense of relief was palpable.
Gemma eyed him with a frown and then turned away. “I’m not even sure what shots he needs…”
“Don’t you have a copy of his vaccination record around here somewhere?” Tyler asked. “I could drop it by the clinic on one of my deliveries later.”
Gemma hesitated, seemingly torn between getting the documents and not leaving Leo alone with Tyler and the boy.
“Sis, get a move on. I’m late, remember?”
Gemma scurried out of the room, leaving Leo and Tyler alone with the child. Leo took advantage of her absence. “Damien…how old is he?”
Tyler grinned. “A year and a half. He’s a good boy.”
Leo nodded. “His mother… She is not in the picture any longer? Your sister is helping you raise him?”
Tyler looked confused and then started laughing. “You think Damien’s mine? Wow! That’s the best one I’ve heard all week. I can’t keep a plant alive, let alone a little kid. No, Damien is Gemma’s.”
Leo digested this news. “And the kid’s father?”
Tyler shook his head, “No idea. She won’t talk about him. I’ve not actually seen her spend any time with a man since… Well, years. You’re the first guy she’s hung out with since Damien was born.”
They both stopped talking as Gemma reappeared. “Here are the records.”
Tyler took them. “Great! Okay, now I’ve really got to run.”
“Don’t get a speeding ticket.” Gemma advised him as he slammed back out the door. “Your insurance is already high enough…” Her voice slowly trailed off. She looked at Damien and then back to Leo. “I really wish you would leave.”
Leo looked at her suitcase. “Going somewhere?”
Gemma followed his eyes and bit her bottom lip. “I have a friend who lives down South. I thought I might visit her for a few days, but I can’t afford to take the time off. Obviously.” She nodded towards the door Tyler had just exited.
Leo looked at her for another moment. He turned on his heel and stepped out the apartment door. “Gemma, it was a pleasure. I will see you again soon.”
Gemma shook her head. “I don’t think that would be a very good idea. I’m really busy and…”
Leo gave her a smile. “I can see that. Until we meet again.” He let the door close, an idea forming in his brain. Damien was old enough to be Alexi’s child. If that was the case, he deserved to be raised with the full benefit of the Moustakas family at his disposal. Not in these squalid conditions.
Gemma might think he was dumb, but now that he knew the truth, nothing was going to keep him from taking Damien home to meet his grandparents and assume his rightful place in the family—not even Gemma.
Chapter 8
The next day…
Gemma smiled down at Damien as she grabbed a sippy cup full of juice and slipped it into the side pocket of the diaper bag. “Ready to go?” She had the weekend off and the National Zoo had baby pandas that she was anxious to see. Damien was still too young to fully appreciate the wonder of a zoo, but she hoped that by taking him there often, he would come to appreciate nature.
Aimee sat in the kitchen, enjoying a cup of coffee. “Have fun, you two.”
Gemma nodded. “We shouldn’t be more than a couple of hours…”She was interrupted by her ringing phone. She pulled it from her pocket. “Hello?”
“Miss Larsen?”
Gemma’s heart dropped upon hearing her supervisor’s voice. “Yes, Sir. How are you?”
“You don’t have to be nice to me. I realize me calling you on your day off isn’t enjoyable, but there is a situation at the museum that requires your immediate attention.”
“What? Sir, I’m off until Monday—”
“I realize that, Miss Larsen. However, the museum director has requested a meeting with you. How long will it take you to get here?”
Gemma wanted to protest, but she’d never been summoned to a meeting with the director of the Smithsonian Museums. Can a person refuse such a meeting and still have a job in the morning? She wasn’t in a hurry to find out. She swallowed back her disappointment. “It will take me approximately twenty minutes to get across town.”
“Very good. Please come directly to the head office.”
“Yes, Sir.” She hung up the phone and looked at Damien and Aimee. “It looks like our trip to the zoo wil
l have to wait. The director wants to see me right away.”
“Really?” Aimee tilted her head. “Is that normal?”
Gemma shook her head. “No. I can’t imagine what he wants to see me for, but I didn’t think I could refuse.”
“Probably best you didn’t. Don’t worry about your little man. We’ll take a walk down to the park and look at the birds. He probably won’t notice the difference.”
“Thanks, Aimee.” Gemma headed for the bedroom to change. She slipped on a pair of dress pants and a button-down shirt and a few minutes later she was headed to the center of the town.
Her supervisor was waiting for her and waved her into the director’s office. She paused. “Do you know what this meeting is about?”
The man nodded his head, a small smile playing around his mouth. “You’ve been requested.”
Requested? What does that mean? Gemma didn’t have time to ponder the answer. She stepped through the doorway and froze. The director stood in the middle of the room talking to none other than Alexi!
What’s he doing here? This can’t be good. She hadn’t seen him since he’d left her apartment the morning before, and had been berating herself ever since for her weakness. Sleeping with him was a mistake I won’t make again.
“Sir, you asked to meet with me?” she addressed the director, ignoring Alexi for the moment.
The director nodded his head. “Miss Larsen. Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“No problem. What can I do for you?”
“Well, it’s not what you can do for me, but what you can do for this young man. He purchased a rather large Monet at the same auction you attended in Paris a few years back. I understand it is in need of some extensive repair work?”
Gemma nodded, unsurprised to find herself in this situation. Alexi had tried to get her to willingly come back to Greece with him, using the Monet as the lure, but she’d refused. He went over my head! God, the man is high-handed in ways I probably can’t even begin to imagine.
The director continued. “Mr. Moustakas has graciously offered to fund the restoration work, and promised to allow us to showcase the restored piece right here. He’s also made a generous five-million-dollar donation—money you know the museum can put to good use.”
Gemma looked at Alexi then, inwardly seething at the position he was putting her in. She turned her back on Alexi, facing the director. “Sir, while I appreciate Mr. Moustakas’ generosity, he and I already spoke about this issue. I offered to restore the painting for him once it arrives in the States.”
The director shook his head. “Mr. Moustakas believes the painting could be irreperably damaged during transport and has graciously offered to provide your lodging while in Greece.” He looked at Alexi and then inquired, “Is that correct?”
Alexi nodded, waiting for Gemma to meet his eyes to speak. “She will be very well cared for.”
Gemma shook her head. “Sir, I can’t just go jetting off to Greece!”
The director smiled at her. “Of course you can. Don’t worry about your job here. It will be waiting for you upon your return. Just think of this as an extended vacation amongst the Greek Isles and a chance to restore an important piece of art history.”
Gemma felt ganged up on. “Sir, I appreciate the offer, I really do. But I have a young son…I can’t just take off at a moment’s notice. Restoring that piece could take months.”
The director gave her a pointed look. “That is not really much of an excuse. I have been made aware that your son is this gentleman’s biological child and Mr. Moustakas has no problem with you bringing the child with you. In fact, he insists your son accompany you.”
Gemma gasped and turned on Alexi. “How?”
Alexi looked at her. “I believe Miss Larsen now realizes how much her services are required.”
The director clapped his hands. “Excellent.”
Alexi shook the director’s hand and then placed a hand on Gemma’s arm, directing her towards the doorway with a firm hold. “Thank you for your assistance. Miss Larsen and I will hash out the finer details.”
He pulled her from the room. Gemma tried to break free of his hold, but he wasn’t giving her any quarter. He stopped her in front of the elevators and then remained quiet as he ushered her into his waiting vehicle.
“Alexi, you can’t make me go to Greece with you.” Silence. She gazed at him and tried again. “I won’t—”
The vehicle pulled up in front of her apartment and he slid from the vehicle, coming around and opening her door. As she slid from the car, he nailed her with his gaze. “Be ready to go the day after tomorrow. A driver will pick you and Damien up and bring you to the airport.”
Gemma tried to reason with him. “Alexi, I can’t be gone for…how long did you tell the director this job was going to last?”
“At least three months. We will re-evaluate things after that.”
“What things?”
Instead of answering her, he gave her a hard stare. “Why didn’t you tell me about him?” Him being her son.
Gemma’s anger rose. “And where would I have made such a call? You didn’t even tell me your real name! Moustakas? You told me your last name was Stakis.”
Alexi didn’t even have the grace to look ashamed. He merely shrugged his shoulders. “Stakis is my mother’s maiden name. I have realized that using my real last name tends to invite trouble in the form of tabloids and newspapers.”
Gemma closed her eyes, the hurt she felt at his betrayal like an open wound.
*****
Two days later aboard one of the Moustakas private jets, heading for Greece…
Gemma glanced around the bedroom of the luxurious jet and shook her head. Who even knew planes had things like bedrooms and fully equipped bathrooms? I sure didn’t.
She couldn’t believe she was on a plane with her son, heading for a country she knew nothing about, and preparing to meet people she didn’t know. Finding out that Alexi was Greek had fit together several pieces of the puzzle that up till now had been vague suppositions.
She’d known he had wealth, but finding out he had a private jet went way beyond her ability to comprehend. She groaned. Alexi likes getting his own way. Why else would I be some thirty thousand miles up in the sky right now? Why didn’t I send him away the moment I laid eyes on him again?
She looked over to where her Damien slept peacefully. If only things were different. The sexual tension between her and Alexi hadn’t burned up in their last encounter. Alexi seemed so different, and yet—the same. The only thing I can do is make the best of a bad situation. I’ve been doing it long enough now, I should be an expert at it.
She touched Damien’s forehead, smiling softly at how peaceful he looked. They’d boarded the plane ten hours earlier. Damien had been easy to entertain until he got tired. She’d tried to distract him up a bit longer, offering him a variety of toys and even singing to him softly, but he’d been intent on trying to explore every inch of the plane. He’d found his way into Alexi’s study, where he’d gone immediately after takeoff and not returned.
She’d tried to retrieve her son, but Alexi had insisted he stay and she should as well. She’d taken a seat in front of the desk where he had sat and listened as he talked of his home and the various things he could provide for Damien’s future. The more Gemma had listened, the more it sounded as if Alexi was under the impression Damien was going to be living in Greece for more than a few months. She’d challenged him for an explanation.
Alexis merely raised an eyebrow arrogantly. “My son is going to be raised as a Moustakas. Whether or not you want to be a part of that is entirely up to you.”
Gemma had exploded.“How dare you threaten to take my child away from me! I’m his mother!”
“Yes, and I saw firsthand how you’ve been providing for him. Peasants in my country live in better conditions.”
His scathing comments hurt. She hadn’t been able to provide Damien a mansion to live in, because normal pe
ople didn’t actually live like that. There were many other people far worse off than she was and she wasn’t one to complain. But hearing Alexi judge her… It cut like a knife in an already gaping wound.
His threat to take Damien away from her had been the final straw. I’m his mother. He can’t do that! Her mind screamed that declaration over and over again, in an attempt to make it true.
But in reality, she knew that Alexi probably could take Damien away from her. They were headed to his country, where he had the law on his side and she was nothing more than a visitor who didn’t speak the language. In Greece, she didn’t have any rights and he knew it.
Gemma lashed out. “You bastard! What gives you the right to waltz back into our lives after two years and think you can dictate how the future is going to look? I’m Damien’s mother and you can’t just wish me away.”
Alexi had listened calmly and then inclined his head. “No one is wishing you away. I was simply letting you know what to expect in the future.”
Gemma’s control had completely snapped. She scooped Damien up. “Take your idea of the future where the sun doesn’t shine!” She retreated to the bedroom.
Locking the door behind her, she did her best to put on a happy front for her son. She waited until Damien fell asleep before she gave into the tears of fear and frustration that had been threatening to spill over for the last few days. Damien was her world. Just because Alexi contributed some sperm to the conceiving process didn’t mean he had to be involved in the child’s life. He’d been gone for two years when Gemma could have used his help and support.
He’d even offered to try and make a stable home for Damien once they arrived in Greece. She’d laughed at his proposal. He expects me to trust him after all of this? The man must be certifiably insane. He’d burned her not once, but twice now. She wouldn’t let him do so again. I can’t. There is too much at stake.
The only bright side to everything currently happening was that she’d been promised a large bonus once she’d started working on the painting. Not when the restoration work was completed, but just after she started it. Alexi had promised her enough money to pay for her brother’s tuition. Why does even that seem like a betrayal?
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