Delicately, she cleared her throat. “Leo, you wanted to see me?”
His head snapped up, his dark gaze colliding with hers before gliding it over her appearance. Sam caught the glint of appreciation on his face and her nerves mounted. “Come in and sit down,” he said, his words sounding more like an order than a request.
Sam walked into the room and took the seat in front of his desk. Bracing herself, she clasped her hands on her lap. She watched a slow, sardonic smile form on his face as he regarded her silently. Damn him, she thought. He knew she was nervous and he was doing nothing to put her at ease.
Sam bristled. “What did you want to discuss?”
He leaned back in his seat, his hands palm down on his desk and remained silent for a few more moments. Sam thought her nerves would snap when he finally spoke.
“It seems I am in a predicament, Sam. My sister, whom I have finally made amends with, has invited you to stay here without my consent.”
“That’s no surprise. I already told you I’m willing to leave.”
“And I already told you that is not possible. This is the busiest time of year and even if you were able to take a flight back, I am afraid I could not allow you to go.”
Her blood chilled. “Excuse me?”
“Motels, I’m afraid, are also out of the question,” he continued, ignoring her comment, “as everything is booked.”
Sam’s eyes widened. “I don’t understand. I thought that’s what you wanted. I thought you wanted me to leave.”
“What I want,” he said coldly, his expression hardening, “is my family to make peace. Toni’s marriage nearly tore us apart and now that we have all finally begun to talk with her, I do not want you returning home earlier than expected and running to her with lies about how inhospitable I was. Make no mistake, Sam,” he added, his tone dropping dangerously, “I will not have you jeopardizing the family reunion I have scheduled next month.”
Sam’s stomach dropped. “Do you really think I would do that?”
“That is not a chance I am willing to take. You might tell Toni how I threw you out and she would pull another tantrum and refuse to come next month. Our mother has gotten ill over this and my father cannot stop blaming himself for allowing the situation to have gotten as far as it has.”
Sam shook her head vehemently. “I wouldn’t—”
“Please, let us dispense with your pleas of righteousness, shall we? You shall remain here and profit from our glorious weather, beaches and food—provided you follow some ground rules.”
Sam’s patience snapped, and she rose abruptly. The sudden movement made the blood rush from her head and she was attacked with a dizzy spell. Blindly, she grabbed the edge of the desk to steady herself. She caught the sudden concern darkening his face, his body drawing forward sharply in his seat, but she was too busy trying to steady herself to analyse what that meant.
“I think this has gone long enough, Leo,” she said tightly. “I’m not a villain and I resent your rude, condescending attitude with me.” The air had gotten thick in the room and she drew in an unsteady breath to calm herself. “You’ve had this preconceived notion about me from the start and for the life of me I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve it. The only thing I’m guilty of,” she continued, her voice rising as she fought for control, “is bringing two people together. They love each other and they’re happy—why is that a crime?”
“I must say, Sam, you play the innocent convincingly. You almost had me believing you for a moment. Almost, but not quite.” His smile chilled her. “You may have pulled the wool over my sister’s eyes, but I know exactly who and what you are.”
Confusion and fatigue melted away her anger. Fearing her legs would give way, she sunk into her seat. “You don’t know the first thing about me.”
Leo’s brow rose. “Oh, but I do, Sam. I do. I know all about you,” he added, tapping the papers he’d been reading when she’d first walked into his office.
Before she could ask him to explain his peculiar comment, the phone on his desk rang and he answered it. Almost immediately, his expression softened as he spoke to the person on the line.
“Malista… Ke ego… Tha se tho se ligo, Katina.”
Sam felt an odd lurch in her stomach. His girlfriend, soon to be his fiancée, she thought. She stared down at her hands, feeling oddly bothered by the sound of his warm tone.
When he put down the phone, he didn’t waste any time. His voice was hard and uncompromising again and she lifted a weary gaze to him. “About those ground rules,” he said.
“Yes,” she replied, defeated and spent.
Leo was right, Sam conceded silently. Even if she did find a flight back, she couldn’t go home now. Toni would undoubtedly find out her brother was at the house and she would form her own opinion, not unlike the one Leo had accused Sam of spreading. And—Sam realized with a sinking feeling—Toni would undoubtedly refuse to come next month.
Sam couldn’t have that on her conscience, no matter how much she disliked the idea of being in this house with Leo for two weeks. It was imperative Toni and John visited the Stefanos clan next month so everyone could see what a wonderful man John was and how happy he made Toni.
She held Leo’s gaze, refusing to waver under his displeasure. For a moment, she thought she detected a strange flicker on his face, like a puzzlement of sorts, but it disappeared so quickly, Sam realised she must have imagined it.
“Breakfast is served at eight,” he began brusquely, “lunch at noon, and dinner at six. If you are not present at those times, you will have to fend for yourself. Maria has enough to do without having to cater to your every whim.” He paused, almost as though he expected Sam to voice an objection. She maintained her stony silence and he continued while she fought the whirlwind of emotions in her. “The library is at the door on the left in the hall. You may borrow any books you wish to read, but I want them returned where you found them. You may also visit the stable and ride one of the mares. The stallion, however, is off limits, Sam, as is the rest of the house. Understood?”
“Yes. Will that be all?”
“No. Do not expect me to entertain you while you are here. There is a beach down by the port and the markets and shops in town are only a ten minute drive. I can lend you the Volvo parked in the garage if you prefer to drive.”
Sam kept a tight rein on her emotions. “If there’s one thing you can be certain of is I will not be seeking out your company.”
“Good. Then we are perfectly clear with one another, but be warned, Sam. Break any one of my rules and you will have me to answer to.”
“I don’t like being threatened, Leo.”
A haughty brow went up. “On the contrary, Sam. As long as you abide by my rules, I do not see why you should not have an enjoyable stay here. The port offers sailing and boat rides, you can rent pedalos to get around the island, and we have many tavernas that offer excellent food. As well, Corfu has many historical and archaeological sites you can visit. The Grave Monument of Menekratis is not far from here. It was constructed in the sixth century BC and you will find the history connected with it fascinating, as all the monuments and archaeological sites in Greece.”
“You leave me no choice but to stay.” She couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her tone.
“Ah, but you do have choices, Sam,” he said softly. “You could always find a way to leave.”
“I wouldn’t do that. Toni would wonder why I returned early and the truth would upset her. You’re right.” Sam stiffened, noting the gleam of satisfaction on his face. “She would probably cancel her trip here next month.”
“Very well, then. I think there is nothing more to discuss.” Leo pushed back a black silk cuff. “Dinner is in a couple of hours,” he commented, rising from his seat.
Sam took his cue and rose as well. She had to get out of here because if she spent another minute with him, she was afraid she was going to tell him exactly what he could do with his rules and regulations.<
br />
“I’m not hungry,” she lied. The thought of having dinner with him left her cold. “I think I’ll turn in early, if you don’t mind.”
His gaze held hers and for one moment, she thought he was going to argue with her. Instead, his lids came down, hooding the expression in his eyes and he said, “As you wish.”
Without another word, Sam turned on her heels. With her shoulders held high, she strode from his office.
It wasn’t until she was in her room when she remembered she had forgotten to ask him what he had meant when he’d said he knew exactly who and what she was.
Furthermore, she wondered, what had been on those papers he’d tapped when he’d said that.
* * * *
Leo ran a rough hand through his hair as he stared at the door Samantha Hope had taken. He didn’t know what was worse, the incriminating contents of her file or how she made him feel like a ruthless bastard.
“Damn it,” he swore under his breath.
On the one hand, he had evidence from the best private investigator in New York that Samantha Hope was underhanded, conniving and the last person he wanted his impressionable sister to be friends with. On the other hand, those big, green, innocent eyes of hers, and the proud, honourable air she wore, made Leo feel like he was the big bad wolf.
His thoughts stilled as he curled his mouth sardonically, the irony not lost on him.
He was the big, bad wolf—a Lycan for four hundred years, surviving battles with werewolves, vampires, witches, and underground organisation of ruthless werewolf and vampire killers.
Even so, as much as he didn’t trust the red-headed minx, something didn’t sit well in his gut. His inner beast could smell the scent of danger and deceit a mile away, and he was picking up neither from Sam. On the surface she appeared to be an innocent, but he wanted to be certain.
He punched a number on his phone. “This is Matt Walker. Leave me a message.”
Leo cursed under his breath. “It’s Leo. Call me as soon as you get this message. Something’s not right with the file you sent me on Samantha Hope.”
Chapter 3
Sam stirred from her nap, with hunger pangs gnawing at her stomach. She was starving. Slowly, she opened her eyes and squinted at the alarm clock on the nightstand. She sat up groggily and stretched. God, she couldn’t believe how long she napped. It was already midnight.
She flung back the covers and rose from the bed as a wave of resentment washed over her. If Leo had shown her a smidgeon of hospitality, she might have been able to swallow her pride and dined with him, but he hadn’t and now she was ravenous. She couldn’t believe she had to go into town at this late hour to grab a bite to eat.
Sam sniffed the air and frowned. Wait a minute, she thought, as she smelled the tantalising aroma of food. Was that spices and herbs and chicken? Or was she delirious?
She glanced around, the moon casting enough light in her room, and saw the dinner tray on a small table beside a settee. Surprised, she walked over to it and lifted the lid to reveal a delectable meal of chicken, rice, and vegetables. Relief washed over her and she sent Maria a silent thank you. Without another thought, she sat down to eat, devouring everything with relish, careful not to soil her new nightgown, a sheer, flowing delight she had purchased for the trip. When she was done, she went into her adjoining bathroom and washed her hands and brushed her teeth.
She returned to the bedroom and looked at the dinner tray. The least she could do was wash the dishes. Maria’s kindness was so thoughtful, Sam didn’t want to give the older woman any extra work.
She stepped into her slippers and carried the tray out of her room, along the carpeted corridor, down the stairs. She recalled earlier when she had arrived, Maria had gone through another corridor at the foot of the stairs, and Sam hoped it led to the kitchen.
It did.
The kitchen was as everything else was in the house. Big and elaborate, with every mechanical convenience a homemaker could wish for. Sam placed the tray on the counter and was about to turn on the tap when she heard Maria’s voice coming from an adjoining room. The older woman sounded alarmed. Without another thought, Sam followed the sound of Maria’s voice.
As she got closer, the older woman sounded more and more distressed. Sam opened a door and found her standing with a phone to her ear, her face taut and ashen.
“What is it?” Sam asked, gently taking her arm.
Maria turned a pair of stricken eyes on her and without questioning Sam’s sudden appearance, said, “My…my daughter, Nitsa, is pregnant. Something is wrong. She is in pain. She saw some blood.”
Sam’s concern mounted. “How far into her pregnancy is she?”
“Seven months.”
“Has the pain been regular?” Maria looked at her with stricken eyes and Sam took her gently by the shoulders. “Maria, please ask her,” she repeated, trying to sound calm.
The older woman did as she was told and looked back at Sam. “Yes. Every hour.”
Sam pursed her lips. “Tell her to call an ambulance.”
Maria’s eyes widened. “You don’t mean—but she is seven—Themou! She is alone. Her husband is coming back from a fishing trip tomorrow.” The older woman sobbed into her hand. “I have to get Leo …he will know what to do”
Sam saw the alarm mounting on the woman’s face and made up her mind. “Where is his bedroom?”
“At end of your hall, on the left.”
“How quick can we get to your daughter’s house?”
Maria’s eyes gathered tears. “She is not far. Five minutes.”
“Good,” Sam replied firmly. “Tell your daughter we’ll be right there. I’ll go wake up Leo. Meet us outside in a few minutes.”
Maria stared back in shock and nodded.
Sam took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be all right. I don’t know how to deliver a baby, but I can make sure your daughter is comfortable until the paramedics get there.”
“Efharisto, my dear girl,” Maria whispered.
Sam remembered the crash course Toni had given her and how efharisto meant thank you.
She smiled at Maria and sped back to the front hall. At the foot of the stairs, she gathered her nightgown to her knees and sprinted up the stairs. She raced down the corridor, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Without bothering to knock, she flung open Leo’s door and squinted in the semi-darkness.
“Leo,” she whispered urgently. “Leo!”
She spotted his bed to the far right of the room and ran to it. Sam stopped dead in her tracks and found herself standing above his sleeping form.
Sam couldn’t help, but stare at him. He was bare-chested, the white, silk sheets draped just below his taut abdomen. An alarming rush of awareness made her catch her breath as she stared at the sparse, dark hair exposed past the edge of the sheet. His muscular chest was tanned and chiselled as it rose and fell steadily. One sinewy arm was flung carelessly above his face, and she glanced in wonder at his mouth, softer and more vulnerable in sleep. Sam had almost forgotten why she was there.
“Leo,” she whispered hoarsely, her throat dry. “Wake up!”
He didn’t budge.
She had already wasted precious seconds staring at his male splendour and she wasn’t about to waste any more. She thought about Nitsa and grabbed the edge of his sheet, flinging it off him.
“I said wake up!”
Sam froze.
Beneath the sheets he lay completely and utterly naked. The blood drained from her face as she stared at his penis. She gasped softly, raising a hand to her mouth as she ran her gaze over his long, tapered legs, his taut, flat abdomen, his strong arms. She looked up at his strong, sexy face and inhaled sharply as he opened his eyes.
His dark gaze locked with hers and his expression registered a brief look of surprise.
“Is there anything you require?” He asked, his voice hoarse and deeper in his semi-awake state.
Sam ignored the veiled mea
ning behind his words, praying he didn’t notice how red her face must be.
“Get dressed,” she said, her throat dry. “Maria’s daughter is in labour.” A glimmer of understanding fell over his expression and she pressed on. “She’s all alone, Leo. I think she’s going into labour.”
Realization dawned on him and he clenched his jaw, muttered a curse word, and sprung out of bed so quickly, she jumped back. He reached for his pale blue denims and shoved them on.
“Are you sure?” He asked roughly, tossing her a dark look.
“No, but we shouldn’t take any chances,” she replied, keeping her eyes glued to his face.
A few feet lower and she would have been staring at his—Sam frowned. Annoyed with herself, she went to the door. “Maria is waiting for us downstairs,” she said.
She turned and watched him throw on a white shirt. He left it loose around his muscular frame as he grabbed a set of keys from his dresser. Her stomach flipped as she glanced at his taut abdomen and finely honed chest. This man oozed male energy. Strong and sexy, he stood there like an ancient Greek warrior ready to do battle. Sam swallowed hard.
He drew in a harsh breath and she tensed as the air in the room grew thick.
His expression darkened as he dragged his gaze over her semi-undressed state. His eyes narrowed as he continued his thorough appraisal of her body draped in silk. Sam couldn’t move as she watched his face darken with desire. An amber flame flickered behind his eyes as his gaze slipped to her breasts. She heard a barely discernible sound emanate from his throat. A small, yet perceptible groan followed by a low, deep growl. The amber in his eyes grew, taking her aback and she took a small, shaky step back. His gaze held hers, holding her captive.
The tension still hung in the air, running through the both of them. It was wild and passionate and it frightened her. Nervously, she cleared her throat.
“Give me a second. I’ll go and get my robe,” she managed to say.
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