Page 40 of Claimed Gem

“Doesn’t she understand the danger she’s in?” Chris asked.

Ries shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t think she cares.”

She’s gotten Damon’s attention now, and she’s made her choice.

Damon wins again.

18

Stephanie filledthe jetted bathtub with water, fury coming off of her in waves at how controlling and obstinate Ries was. He gave her orders as if she was the hired help and expected her to simply curtsy and obey him.

She was surer now than ever that Ries didn’t love her or even have true feelings for her, he just wanted to control her like a puppet master pulling the strings. That she was another one of his women he could snap his fingers at, and they bent over backwards to do his bidding. He was messing with the wrong girl!

She climbed into the bathtub, hissing at the heat of the water, but also liking the small bite of pain as it went perfectly with her current frame of mind. She was more certain now than ever that Ries would lose interest in her after the threat to their lives passed, and she would find herself out on the streets.

She’d most likely already lost her job and her apartment, and she would be starting over just like the day she arrived in Greece. But this time she’d be doing it with a broken heart.

“You need to find a way to leave him,” she murmured to herself as she sank down further into the water.

The thought tugged at her heartstrings – but not as much as the thought of Ries turning away from her, cold, and telling her to go back to where she came from.

“It’s not like he’s been including you in anything,” she murmured to herself, gaining resolve. “He doesn’t tell you about the investigation, or whether the authorities have been able to find Angelo moving around the city. You delivered your information – and now your job is done.

“And what was with the questions about his brother? It was as if he thought I was sneaking around with Damon…oh, my God. That’s probably exactly what he thinks. He can’t stand the thought that I might find his brother more attractive. He’s jealous of his own brother.”

Stephanie finished her bath, filling the tub several times with hot water and letting the heat soak through her before she finally decided to get out. She took her time in the bathroom, rubbing lotion into her skin and then brushing out her hair.

She was dreading another confrontation with Ries, but she refused to let him have his way any longer.

She opened the door to the bedroom. Her blood boiled when she realized someone, probably the housekeeper, had emptied her suitcases and replaced her clothing in the closet and dresser. She furiously reached under the bed for the suitcase, but it wasn’t there. It wasn’t in the closet either,neither were the other bags she’d brought with her.

She sank down onto the bed, realizing that Ries was making it impossible for her to leave with more than the clothes on her back. Even now, she wasn’t quite stupid or desperate enough to leave with no bag and no money.

She dressed after slowly, slowly calming down. She’d stay another night, and maybe tomorrow things would look better.

She entered the living space and spied the housekeeper giving her cautious looks.

“It’s okay, Carmella. I know Mr. Kafatos asked you to unpack my bags.”

“Mr. Kafatos wants the best for you. He told me to make sure you ate dinner tonight. Come, it is ready.”

“Where is Mr. Kafatos?”

“He left with Mr. Chris.”

Stephanie sighed, partially relieved that she wouldn’t have to tolerate another of his tirades. But also, sad that it had come to this between them. She wouldn’t have minded a candlelight dinner with Ries. The old Ries.

She’d really thought he might be someone she could have a relationship with. A happily ever after. She’d been so wrong. He was just another rich tourist who would do whatever he wanted at her expense.

The next few days weren’t any better. Instead of leaving the apartment each morning, Ries had started staying in – all day long. Ries was short-tempered with her, even more so now that he knew she’d spoken to his brother.

He was suspicious and angry with her over the smallest things, and Stephanie became convinced that he saw her as chattel – one more servant who was supposed to do what he said.

He continued to dictate to her, growing increasingly angry when she refused to do his bidding. He wanted to control her, but Stephanie could see no reason to give him that power. He may have thought he was helping, but he was treating her like a child.

It was clear that her time with Ries needed to end. Whether she liked it or not.

On the fourthday after he’d found her packing her bags, Ries left the apartment right after breakfastand returned in the early afternoon. Stephanie had been sitting in the living room all morning, but he’d completely ignored her presence.