Her assistant grinned. “I think I know the reason why.”
Sometimes Khloe’s needling could be a little exasperating. “What are you talking about?”
“This!” She handed her a copy of the Thessalonika Sentinel. “It came out this morning. You and the prince make one gorgeous couple.”
Gianinna’s mouth went dry before she reached for the local tabloid. After reading the whole story, she felt light-headed and dashed to her office to think. Last night he’d told her she’d be hearing from him, but so far he hadn’t tried to get in touch with her or shown up at her apartment.
She could phone him now but changed her mind. The story in the tabloid had proved her point. Her mind was made up once and for all. Before the day was out, Alex needed to hear her answer to his proposal in person. A phone call wouldn’t do.
Without hesitation she alerted the helicopter pilot she needed to fly to Loria immediately. After arranging for a rental car to meet her at the Loria heliport, she clutched her purse and dashed out of her office to Khloe’s.
“I must leave on important business. Sorry to do this to you again, but I have no choice. Call my brother if something comes up you’re worried about.”
She eyed her curiously. “Sure, boss.”
Giannina flew out the door to the elevator that took her to the roof, where the helicopter waited. The pilot opened the door for her.
“Thanks, Gus.” She climbed in back and buckled up for the short flight to Loria.
The island country of Hellenia sparkled like a jewel in the deep blue water. From the air it had always resembled her idea of a dreamy secret land created by Zeus himself. But having seen the desecration of the palace firsthand, that picture had been ruined for her. Her stomach knotted when she contemplated how Alex must have felt after his return from exile.
Pleased that a car stood waiting for her at the Hellenia heliport, she drove into Loria and found the Hotel Poseidon on the car’s GPS tracker. It was one of the huge hotels that attracted tourists from all over the world.
Alex had told her that under the general, Hellenia’s economy had gone into a recession. But with the civil war over and Alex at the helm, she knew it would start to recover.
One of the men at the front desk smiled at her. “May I help you?”
“I hope so. I’m here to see Prince Alexandros. Would you ring his room to see if he’s in?”
Surprise broke out on his face. He had every right to assume this was a joke. “May I tell him who’s inquiring?”
“Kyria Angelis of the Halkidiki News in Salonica.”
“Ah—one moment please.” She waited while he rang the room. After a minute he hung up. “I’m sorry. There’s no answer.”
“Will you leave a message that I’m here and trying to reach him? Tell him I’ll go to the palace to wait for him.”
“Very good.”
“Thank you.”
In all probability he’d already gone there earlier that morning. Maybe she’d catch up to him. Since she hadn’t eaten, she stopped at a drive-through for a yeero, then drove on.
Today when she reached the palace grounds, she noticed that all the barricades and gates had been removed. Thank heaven it no longer resembled an anarchist’s compound.
The magnificent facade came into view. She slowed down. To think this had been Alex’s home until that horrific night. Her heart sank before she drove around the perimeter to the rear and parked in an area near the woods. Lots of trucks and cars meant the workmen were busy inside. There didn’t seem to be any sign of Alex.
He still hadn’t tried to reach her. While she waited, she decided to go to the grave of Achilles. That might be the best place to say a final goodbye to Alex.
* * *
“Gentlemen?” Alex looked out at the thirty legislators assembled in the conference room. “To answer your questions about the tabloid reports that came out this morning, Giannina Angelis is the woman I’m going to marry. Zikos will attest we met three years ago in London when she was doing her journalism internship. I’ve been in love with her ever since.”
A groundswell of murmuring ensued.
“I swear before God she had nothing to do with Ari Hatzi. There was no blood relationship. Her only sin was her connection to her beloved aunt, the sister of Estefen Angelis, the shipping magnate whom you all know. That poor woman suffered for being married to Hatzi, who used her abominably. Long before anyone knew he was a killer, she divorced him for his cruelty.”
Silence filled the room. It could mean anything.
“The fact that the tabloid press printed this news so fast is a good thing. If you don’t feel that the country can support me if I marry her, then I hope you find a suitable candidate soon, so you don’t waste time putting Hellenia back together. That’s the number one priority for all of us.”
They nodded.
“Being a prince doesn’t automatically make me a king. I love my country and will be happy to serve in any capacity you’ll allow. Thank you.”
Again, not a sound.
He and Zikos exchanged a quick glance before he left the conference room for his bedroom. Once inside, the red light on the house phone beckoned him.
Maybe it was their spokesman calling to give him news one way or the other. A surge of adrenaline rushed through him. “Nai?”
“Your Highness? This is the front desk.” His spirits plunged. “A Kyria Angelis came to the hotel to see you an hour ago.”
With that news his heart slammed into his throat. Giannina! “Is she still here?”
“No. She left about a half hour ago for the palace but wanted you to call her.”
Could his prayers have been answered where she was concerned? “Efcharisto.”
He flew out of the hotel and drove to the palace over the speed limit. En route, Zikos phoned and told him the parliament council would vote and deliver their decision before the end of the day. He’d let him know the outcome.
Alex thanked him and explained that Giannina had flown to Loria. He was looking for her now and would get back to him later.
When he pulled around the rear of the estate, he saw a white rental car parked near the path leading into the woods. Before he explored there, he got out of his car and raced through the palace in case she’d decided to look around.
None of the workmen had seen her.
Now he knew where she’d gone...
Sure enough he found her sitting on the grass by the headstone with her head in her hands. She’d come dressed in a stunning white summer suit with dark blue trim. White sandals adorned her feet. The sun filtered down through the leaves, spotting her glorious brunette hair with steaks of gold.
He could see her body heaving though she made no sound. Alex absorbed what was going on inside her. So much sorrow revealed a level of pain that revealed the reason for her arrival in Loria.
She’d come to say goodbye.
“Giannina?”
At the sound of her name, she lifted her head, exposing a tear-drenched face.
“Don’t get up.” He sat down next to her. “The front desk told me you’d come by the hotel to talk to me. You could have phoned me from Salonica, but I have an idea why you didn’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“I saw that story in the Sentinel too. It appears your greatest nightmare has come true. We knew this was coming, but I’d hoped we’d have a few days’ breather first.”
“I told you it could happen,” she cried.
“I know. Unfortunately a hungry journalist had to have been tipped off by a staff worker at the restaurant. All it took was one leak to set off an earthquake. No one knows better than I how that works. For eight years I made my living that way.”
She avoided his gaze.
“While you were trying to reach me, members of the parliament met with me and Ziko
s at the hotel for an explanation of that tabloid story.”
The news brought her to her feet. “What did you tell them?”
“That I’ve asked you to marry me.”
“You didn’t!” she blurted in despair. In the next breath she walked a way off to get her emotions under control.
“I also explained that if they felt the people couldn’t back me because of the family tie to your uncle, then they would have to find another Hellenian to run the country.”
“Oh, Alex, no-o-o.” She stood with her back toward him.
He got up and moved behind her. “Before I left the conference room, I offered my help for any job they’d like me to do.”
Her body shivered. He saw and felt it. “I don’t understand why you’ve done this.”
Alex put his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. He buried his face in her hair. “Yes, you do. I’ve borne my soul to you. Ever since we met and fell in love, I’ve been able to handle anything believing that in the end we’d be together.”
She shook her head. “It isn’t too late to speak to them again. All you have to do is let them know we’re not getting married.”
“But we are because I’ll never give up on you, Giannina. If I have to wait four, five or ten years for you, you’re the woman I want.”
“You’re not listening to me, Alex! Uncle Ari’s crimes can never be washed away for you. Your country has suffered so terribly for what he did. Do you honestly think they can forgive you for marrying me when I’ll be a constant reminder of Ari? It doesn’t matter that I didn’t have anything to do with him. It’s in their heads. They’ll never let it go.”
“Giannina,” he murmured, running his hands up and down her arms. “If anyone has a right to hate him and never forgive him, I do. But it didn’t stop me from loving you when I found out what he did. I’m depending on the parliament to understand the circumstances and feel the same way. Before evening I expect to hear what they’ve decided.”
“I promise that they won’t want you to have anything to do with me.” Her voice shook.
He whirled her around, staring directly into her eyes. “If that’s the case, we’ll leave the country as I suggested and start our life somewhere else. I could buy us a failing newspaper. With you as the editor, we could work together and make it great. I can’t imagine life without you in it and know in my gut you feel the same way.”
“Alex—you’re not an ordinary person. Please don’t pretend that you are.”
“I’ve been Philip Dimas for fourteen years, an ordinary guy who got a journalism degree. It’s the kind of work I know and am pretty good at.”
She slid her soft hands against his cheeks. “Yet all this time Prince Alexandros has lived inside you, waiting to get out.”
“Agape mou—don’t you understand? He’ll always be inside me, but it’s not the sum total of who I am. Don’t we want to have children? To watch them grow? Don’t we want to experience everything in life? For so long we’ve been prevented from being together, but that’s not the case now.”
Alex couldn’t take it any longer and started to kiss her, molding her body to his. “You’re my life, Giannina.” He could feel his desire growing out of control. “I need to take you where no one will bother us.”
She pulled away from him in desperation. “Zikos raised you from the age of fourteen. What does he say about everything? How is he advising you where I’m concerned?”
“Zikos isn’t the kind of a man to interfere. He’s never tried to influence me in my personal life. Why are you bringing him up?”
He heard her draw in a deep breath. “He’s been your second father for years. Has he ever steered you wrong?”
“You know the answer to that.”
“Do you value his opinion more than anyone else’s?”
He cocked his head. “You know the answer to that too. What are you getting at?”
“That you ask him a straightforward question and wait until he gives you his honest answer. If he advises you against marrying me, which I know he will, then promise me you’ll honor him and say a final goodbye to me.”
His heartbeat tripled. He’d taken risks all his life. This was the biggest one.
“I promise, Giannina. But what if he surprises you and says he’s very much in favor of us becoming man and wife no matter the vote of the parliament? Will you promise to honor him and marry me?”
What are you going to say now, my love? “Do you promise? Say it.”
She averted her eyes. “I promise.” But she’d said it so quietly, he’d hardly heard her. “First we have to go to him together and listen to what he has to say, Alex.”
“Agreed. He saved me and raised me like I was his son. I owe him my life. I love him.”
“I love him too for loving you with such devotion. He faced mortal danger to get you far away from that monster and keep you safe.”
He gripped her hand. “We’ll go to the hotel in my car and come back for yours later.”
“I’d rather drive mine there now. It’ll be a lot closer when I have to leave for the heliport.”
She thought she’d be flying away in the next little while. He had news for her. “If that’s what you want, then I’ll follow you.” No way would he let her out of his sight, let alone his life.
CHAPTER TEN
ALEX LED HER to her car and gave her a long, passionate kiss before shutting the door. Giannina trembled so hard, it was a miracle she could drive.
Zikos Novak would not be giving his blessing on a marriage to her. He’d consecrated his life for the good of the crown. In acting like a second father, he would make certain Alex followed in the footsteps of his deceased friend and king.
Once Alex knew how the man he loved truly felt about the situation, it would influence him enough to let go of his idea of being her husband. He’d promised her that.
Certain things in life were forbidden and unattainable. Thanks to Ari Hatzi, plus the fact that she was a nonroyal, their marriage headed the top of that particular list.
Giannina had fought him ever since he’d shown up in her office, so it made no sense she experienced a guilty thrill that he stayed right behind her all the way to the hotel. After they met with Zikos, she would have to put Alexandros Philip Dimas Cimon Pisistratus away for good.
One day down the road, she’d watch him on the news in all his splendor as the new king of Hellenia. It would kill Giannina to see the bride he chose. She’d already made up her mind that she wouldn’t watch his coronation or his wedding.
In fact, she’d arrange to be on vacation when it came time for his nuptials. Maybe Canada. Her sister-in-law, Alexa, had lived in Ottawa for years. She’d urged Giannina to travel there with her and Nico to see her old haunts. That would be the perfect time to put thousands of miles between her and the man she would adore for the rest of her life.
When she turned into the hotel parking, she looked in the rearview mirror. Alex had stayed glued to her. Just the sight of him interfered with her breathing. He’d always had that effect on her.
She’d barely turned off the engine when he opened the door to help her out. But he kissed her first with an almost savage hunger that equaled hers.
“We can’t do this out here,” she gasped.
“We just did.” He put his arm around her waist while they walked in the hotel. “I phoned Zikos on the way. He’s been talking to some key members of the parliament in his room, so he’ll meet us in mine.”
“Did you tell him why I want to be there with you?”
“We didn’t have the privacy to talk freely.”
They took a private elevator away from the others that rose to the top floor. The doors opened on an elaborate foyer with chandelier. His apartment turned out to be the kind of suite reserved for heads of state or royals. He might like to pretend he was an ordinary per
son, but the rest of the world didn’t view him that way and never would.
He lifted her hair to kiss the side of her neck. “I’ll get us something cold to drink while you freshen up. The bathroom is down that hall on the right.”
“Thank you.”
In a few minutes Zikos would be arriving. What he had to say would change Alex’s world and hers. She’d always accused him of being the brave one. This afternoon she would have to put on the greatest performance of her life.
She brushed out her hair and applied fresh lipstick before going back to the elegant sitting room. Her heart jumped when she saw Zikos seated on one of the love seats holding a cola. Alex had brought one for them too.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Giannina.” Zikos got to his feet and came over to kiss her on both cheeks. It surprised her considering the circumstances. He hadn’t done that the first time she’d met him.
“I feel the same way. When we left you the first time, I never had the opportunity to thank you in person for everything. I’m sorry.”
He waved it off with his hand. “You were in a hurry. Alex tells me it’s important that the two of you talk to me while you’re still here in Loria.”
Zikos didn’t mince words.
She sat down on an upholstered chair opposite him. Alex handed her a drink and took his place on the couch.
“Before I ask Alex, tell me what’s on your mind, Giannina.”
His kindness should have put her at ease, but this was one time when she was jumping out of her skin with stark, cold fear.
“Alex has asked me to marry him and I’ve turned him down. There’s no way this country will forgive him for taking a wife who’s the niece of Ari Hatzi. Has the parliament already voted either way about his decision to marry me?”
“Yes.”
His simple answer shook her to the foundations. “But you haven’t told him the outcome yet.”
“No.”
That meant she’d been right, or Alex would already know. Fresh pain seized her. “Have they also voted about whether to allow him to be a part of the government, rather than be king?”
Harlequin Romance April 2021 Box Set Page 13
