Ten Brides for Ten Hot Guys

by Donna Fasano

  Ashley pinched her lips and furiously scribbled notes on her pad.

  “The Pink Villa belonged to Mrs. Elena Kostapoulos, who died forty days ago. May her soul rest in peace.” Ted crossed himself three times and everyone followed suit, including Anton.

  “Fifty percent of the shares are held by an American who hasn’t set foot in Mykonos for sixty years and doesn’t care about our beautiful island. One would wonder why he’s protesting the demolishing of the Pink Villa and improvement of Mykonos. That man caused the biggest scandal and so much pain to the Kostapoulos family—”

  “Objection your honor,” Ashley blurted aggressively although her heart was twisting with pain. “You have no right to cast aspersions on the good name of an old man who has never stopped loving his Elena. He wants to preserve the Pink Villa as a shrine to their love.”

  “Objection sustained,” the judge said. “Mr. Pastroudis, no verbal attack on the opposition.”

  Ashley turned toward Stefano with a scathing look. “But of course what do cold-hearted contractors know about love or feelings. All they want is to achieve their goals at any price, regardless of whom they trample on their way.”

  “Ms. Sheppard,” the judge admonished in accented English. “I told Mr. Pastroudis to respect the opposition. That applies to you too.”

  She didn’t bother to answer. Ted finished his presentation and sat.

  “Anton, I will present our argumentation,” she said with a peremptory tone. “You translate.”

  “But, Mr. Zanis hired me for—”

  “I’ll start, and then you may fill in if I forget something.” Winning the case would be a small revenge for her bruised ego, but nothing would ever soothe the betrayal of her heart. She trusted herself to put the right tone in her response to Ted.

  Anton explained to the judge her decision. All eyes turned to her curiously. Stefano had never stopped looking at her. He now scowled.

  She stood and walked to the center of the room, addressing the judge. “Your honor, I came all the way from the U.S.A. to attend this hearing. Mr. Zanis is my grandfather. He’s also an eighty-two-year-old man in poor health. In Mykonos, you heard of this scandal and the feud between Mr. Zanis and the Kostapoulos family.” Crossing her arms, she surveyed the audience and studied their expressions while her words were translated in Greek. Mostly curious smiles, interested looks, and a few sarcastic grins.

  “Let me tell you the beautiful but sad story of two young people who loved each other. George Zanis—Yorgho as he was called here—was twenty, from a relatively poor family, who couldn’t afford to send him to college. He made the big mistake of falling in love with the prettiest girl in Mykonos. Elena was the daughter of the powerful mayor and richest man in town. To be able to ask for her hand in marriage, Yorgho worked two and three shifts a day as a mechanic and saved all his money. And then he did a crazy thing for the girl he loved. He bought an old house no one wanted, renovated it, and offered it to his girlfriend.”

  During translation, she scanned her audience and let her gaze rest on Stefano. “As a lawyer, all I’ve seen in my life and in my personal experience are jerks who take advantage of innocent girls, or womanizers who collect nights of pleasure.”

  A collective gasp answered her bold accusation. Stefano narrowed his eyes.

  “But these young people were different. Innocents who believed in love. Unfortunately, Yorgho was rejected by Elena’s family. As a last resort to win her hand in marriage, he decided to seek his fortune in America and come back a rich man to marry her. Elena promised to wait for him. Like many young lovers, they gave in to their passion and shared a night in each other’s arms. Big mistake,” she spat out, with a disgusted glance toward Stefano who arched a brow.

  God, how she wanted to punch his face.

  She turned toward the judge. “You know the rest. A pregnant Elena was forced to marry to save the honor of her family. She lost the child two days before her wedding. What you don’t know is that Yorgho and Elena remained friends all their lives and exchanged letters once or twice a month. Elena visited the Pink Villa regularly to read her best friend’s letters.”

  Ignoring Stefano’s new scowl, she continued, “Now your honor, how could you deny an old man’s last wish to preserve the gift he’d given to his love?”

  “Ms. Sheppard, I appreciate your presentation. I am sure everyone here has been touched by this amazing love story. But does Mr. Zanis plan to come and live in the Pink Villa?” The judge tilted his chin dubiously.

  The question was crucial to the outcome of the hearing, but she couldn’t lie to win her case. “Mr. Zanis is too sick to travel.”

  “Therefore he may never step again into the Pink Villa. Why would he prevent the good residents of Mykonos from enjoying a new resort and the income it would bring?”

  “The Pink Villa holds sentimental value.”

  “It’s not a good enough reason.” He tapped his table with the gavel. “Mr. Kostapoulos, you can buy Mr. Zanis’ half. The court will send him his due. I hereby grant the permits to demolish the Pink Villa and build a tourist resort.”

  “A moment, please, your honor,” Stefano said in Greek and then English.

  What now? Hadn’t he caused enough problems? Ashley spun her head toward him.

  “I want to assure Ms. Sheppard I was deeply moved by her story. I for one want to believe in love,” Stefano said.

  “No kidding,” she muttered under her breath.

  “I am ready to give up my project of demolition. I will repair the Pink Villa and transform it into a museum dedicated to Yorgho and Elena. That is if Mr. Zanis agrees to sell his shares.”

  “What about the resort, Mr. Kostapoulos?” The judge asked.

  “I will build it next to the Pink Villa. The land is big enough.”

  The courtroom burst into applause, and the judge tapped his gavel on his table. “Quiet, please. Well, Counselor Sheppard, you must be pleased with Mr. Kostapoulos’ very generous offer.” The judge crossed his arms, waiting for her decision.

  Stefano captured her gaze for a few seconds. All she wanted was to claw out his eyes and scratch the smirk of his face. “I have to call my grandfather.”

  “Go ahead. Call him. I want to reach a decision regarding the villa,” the judge said impatiently.

  Grandpa answered right away. She briefly explained the situation.

  “I can’t believe it.” He harrumphed, and then cursed in Greek. “Kostapoulos changed his mind. Why?”

  “Who cares about his reasons? I’m coming home tomorrow, and you’ll keep the Pink Villa. Aren’t you happy?”

  “What would I do with an old house now? I don’t plan to travel.” His voice sounded so defeated Ashley doubted her hearing.

  “Grandpa, what’s going on?” Was her grandfather becoming forgetful under the stress? Worried now about his health and mental faculties, she pressed, “You were so determined to prevent him from demolishing the villa. You do remember that?”

  “Of course, I remember. But I’m not pleased with this outcome. Sweetheart, let me talk to the judge,” he added in a perfectly sane tone. “I have a solution that will satisfy everyone.”

  For once she wanted to scream at her grandfather. “Fine. I’ll put him on.” She turned to the judge and handed him the phone. “Mr. Zanis wants to talk to you.”

  “Oh?” The judge took the cell phone, said something in Greek to her grandfather, and then ended the call and banged on his table with his gavel. “The court is called into recess. I want you all to leave and be back in fifteen minutes.”

  She grabbed her purse and strode out, grateful for the reprieve. Her nerves stretched thin by that snake’s betrayal, she couldn’t wait to be on her own and drop her mask of poise.

  As she stepped in the hall, strong fingers grabbed her arm. “Ashley, I have to talk to you.” His voice kicked her pulse into overdrive.

  She tried to ignore the heat scorching her skin and glared at his hand and then at his face. �
�I’m made of tougher stuff than your grandmother Elena, which means I’m not afraid of causing a scandal. Let go of my arm or I swear I’ll slap you without hesitation,” she uttered and clenched her jaws so hard it hurt.

  “I’m sure you would.” A hint of a smile curled his lips, but he dropped his hand. “Ashley, I have to explain—”

  “Go to hell, Mr. Kostapoulos.” She snatched her arm away, spun and stalked away.

  God, give me the strength to keep a cold façade.

  With tremendous effort, she forced herself to continue at a steady pace. She crossed the street to the boardwalk and the seashore. Exhausted by her inner struggle, she sat on a street bench and rubbed her skin where his fingers had touched her, but she couldn’t suppress the tingles that had sprouted all over her body and in the most forbidden places. Tingles that she’d welcomed last night and early this morning. Tingles that Stefano had transformed into an inferno of desire and later into a fountain of pleasure.

  Pulling a bottle of water from her oversized purse, she gulped half of it to soothe the acidity of her stomach. Whatever the judge’s decision, she’d be on a plane in a few hours heading to Athens and then New York. For now, she should remain calm, composed, professional, as if she hadn’t died a little, deep inside.

  Tears burned her eyes. She blinked several times and suppressed them.

  “You’re an idiot,” she scolded herself. Sleeping with a stranger she knew nothing about on a first date. How could she have done such a stupid thing? She, the experienced lawyer who always collected her data and never let first impressions interfere with her objectivity.

  She reviewed their meeting at the café and snorted at her immediate attraction to his good looks. To think she hadn’t hesitated to accept his offer of a cruise around the island. Later, it had been worse. She’d melted in his arms when he kissed her, even urged him to…

  Unable to forgive herself, she dropped her head between her hands.

  A moment later, she stood to go back to the courthouse. Staring at the sea and the myriad boats floating on the water, she recognized Stefano’s yacht in the harbor. Tears welled at the sight of her dream-boat. As much as she hated him now, she would never be able to forget the beautiful hours she had spent on his yacht. With a sigh, she pulled out her make-up kit, dabbed her eyes, and powdered her face. Satisfied with her appearance, she walked back to the courthouse, eager to get the hearing over with.

  Anton waited for her at the front door of the courthouse. “The judge asked for you.”

  She glanced at her watch and shrugged. “I don’t think I’m late.”

  “No, but they reached a decision. A settlement.”

  “What? Grandpa will never agree.”

  Anton climbed the stairs and threw over his shoulder, “The judge will explain to you.”

  At the door of the room, a spasm knotted her stomach at the sight of Stefano shaking hands with the judge. “The snake, for sure he took advantage of me leaving the room.”

  “Come, Ms. Sheppard, we have good news,” the judge announced. “You were absolutely right. Your grandfather, Mr. Zanis, is exactly the wonderful man you described. We misjudged him all these years.”

  “Ah.” Why did these words worry her?

  “Mr. Zanis called Anton. We spoke again, and we reached a settlement between Mr. Kostapoulos and Mr. Zanis.”

  The angst twisting her heart brought her closer to the judge. “What are the terms?”

  “Mr. Zanis was very pleased with Mr. Kostapoulos’ offer to convert the Pink Villa into a little museum and he is selling some of his shares to Kostapoulos. In exchange, Kostapoulos agreed to let you, Ms. Sheppard, approve the new resort’s plans, all of them including the decoration.”

  Perfectly aware of Stefano’s inquisitive eyes fixed on her, she shrugged. “I’m glad that everything is settled.” At this point she couldn’t care less about the Pink Villa or the new resort. All she wanted was to go home to the U.S. “You’ll fax me the plans when they are ready.”

  “No, Ms. Sheppard. Part of your grandfather’s agreement requires that you stay here for a month and work on the plans with Mr. Kostapoulos,” the judge said as he collected his papers.

  “What?” The blood drained from her face, and she clenched the side of the table for support.

  Chapter 6

  “I’m not staying here another day.” Ashley turned to escape the suffocating room where she had trouble breathing.

  “Counselor.”

  “Ashley.”

  “Kyria Sheppard.” The judge’s call echoed the voices of Anton and Ted Pastroudis. “Your grandfather went to a lot of trouble to ensure the old feud ended in peace for the good of everyone. You have to sign the settlement.” The judge held a document out to her.

  “Please, Counselor Sheppard,” Anton begged. “You can’t leave now. You must sign the documents. Otherwise I will have the whole town after me.”

  She cast him a disgusted look, then shifted her gaze to the three other men. Although his scowl had relaxed, Stefano considered her with a blank expression and Ted watched her curiously. She took the document, quickly perused it, and gasped.

  “Sell his shares? No way. Grandpa wouldn’t want to sell his precious villa. You must have coerced him into accepting this humiliating agreement.” Unless she heard the stunning news from her grandfather, she wouldn’t sign any paper. Without wasting another minute, she fumbled in her purse for her cell phone.

  The judge thumped his table with his fist. “You are wasting my time, kyria. I have other hearings today. Maybe Counselor Anton can sign it on behalf of Mr. Zanis.”

  “Your honor,” Stefano said. “This isn’t fair to Counselor Sheppard who was out on a break, and didn’t participate in the conference call with Mr. Zanis. We should give her time to call her grandfather and reassure herself that no one is trying to deceive her.”

  It was exactly what she intended to do, yet coming from her worst enemy, the request made her fume. Did he think his generosity would excuse his despicable behavior?

  “Grandpa,” she said as soon as she punched her preprogrammed number. “What’s going on?”

  “Congratulations, Ashley. You did a terrific presentation according to the judge and won the case.”

  “Won the case?”

  “Kostapoulos gave up on the demolition plan and is going to restore the Pink Villa as a little museum. I’m sure Elena is very happy up there. And I’m happy. I’ll sell him half of my shares of the property, and in exchange I want you to validate the plans and supervise the preliminary work.”

  “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

  “No. You still have work to do. I don’t trust him completely. I’m counting on you to make sure he sticks to our agreement. Besides, I insisted that the rest of my shares be transferred to your name.”

  “Why my name?”

  “You’re my heir, sweetheart. I want you to get those shares now and have a part in the new resort’s revenues.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Grandpa, but I don’t plan to stay here.” And she didn’t want any ties to Stefano’s resort. “I have work waiting for me in Boston, clients and lawsuits—”

  “Kostapoulos has agreed to use your law firm. We are giving Stein, Vynis, and Co. exclusivity to handle the legal matters concerning the new resort that will be called the Pink Villas. Your boss was so delighted with his first international contract, he promised me you’ll make partner if you pull it right. Aren’t you happy?”

  “Happy? No, I’m dizzy.” Making partner at thirty had been her dream and goal. But to owe it to that damn Kostapoulos. “You’ve let them manipulate you.”

  “My little girl, since when does anyone manipulate your old grandpa? I’ve allowed them to build the new resort and I preserve the villa. They were so pleased they’ve invited me to be the guest of honor at the inauguration. If God grants me health, I’ll finally return to Greece after sixty years, pray at Elena’s grave, and see the house I gave her restored. After being the b
lack sheep for so long, it’ll be a dream to be received as a hero in my hometown. Please, sweetheart, try to understand my feelings and help me.”

  Indeed, it was a dream for Grandpa, for Stefano and for the residents of Mykonos—and a nightmare for her. She’d rather see that shark called Stefano eaten by a real shark than help him realize his project.

  But Grandpa had been the only one who cared for her when her father took off without asking for visitation rights and Mom married a younger lover who treated her daughter like a cumbersome baggage. Grandpa had always been there for her and even spoiled her rotten. He’d supported her when she joined Harvard Law School, and had always encouraged her to trust herself. Now he was old and sick and weak.

  Hmm, not that weak, at least mentally.

  Defeated, she mumbled, “Okay, I’ll stay. Just for you, Grandpa.” Shutting her cell phone, she raised her head in time to catch the smug smile on Stefano’s face.

  Swallowing back her frustration, she looked him straight in the eyes. “You have probably all listened to my side of the conversation. My grandfather is pleased with the settlement. He hopes to come here and inaugurate the new resort.” She paused, wanting to hear them confirm what her grandfather said, to make sure the bunch of devils hadn’t tricked him with polite words and good manners the way they’d screwed her over.

  “I have personally invited Mr. Zanis to inaugurate the new resort and the Yorgho & Elena museum.” Trapping her gaze, Stefano uttered every word loud and clear, in front of lawyers and judge. With so many witnesses, he couldn’t refute his words later and break her grandpa’s heart.

  Without bothering to thank him, she turned her back and sidled through the chairs to the door.

  “Counselor Sheppard,” the judge called and banged a couple times with his gavel.

  “What now?” She spun and didn’t try to suppress her exasperation. “I thought you wanted us out of the courtroom because you have another case. Is there anything else you wish to tell me, your honor?”