Page 22 of Her Greek Inheritance

Chapter 9

Their arrival in Greece was not taken lightly. Leo had informed his father about his discovery shortly after their plane had left the States.

“I’m coming home.” He’d informed Vasil via teleconference.

“Did you get the stock certificates signed back over?” his father demanded.

“Not quite. I’m bringing someone with me I think you will very much like to meet. Alexi’s son. Yourengonós.” His father went completely silent. Leo continued. “His name is Damien and his mother is Gemma Larsen—the woman Alexi signed his stock certificates over to.”

Leo had been prepared for his father to ask lots of questions, but he’d been shocked when his father didn’t even ask one. After a lengthy pause, Vasil, true to self, had simplified things for his son. “Marry her and the problem is solved.”

Marry her.Sounded like an easy task, but she was barely talking to him. Having a discussion about legally marrying each other wasn’t on the cards just yet. He would take things nice and slow. Hopefully he could convince her to sign over the stock certificates without having to go into a lot of detail about what she was signing.

A limo was waiting for them at the airport. After half an hour, it pulled up in front of the Moustakas estate. Situated on a mountainside, it was one of the largest residences in Thessaloniki. His father, Vasil, and mother, Tressa, were waiting anxiously for their arrival.

“Come, we’re here.” He reached his arms out to take the sleeping child from Gemma’s arms.

“I’ve got him,” she told him icily, trying to retain her hold on the boy.

“Let go. He’s too heavy for you.” Alexi took the child.

She groaned and released her hands, following closely behind him as he pushed his way into a small bedroom. He laid his sleeping package down on the bed. “Let him rest for a bit. Come meet my parents.” He pulled her from the room.

She dug in her heels, protesting. “I can’t! What if he wakes up and panics?”

Leo stopped a passing maid and had a conversation with her. He smiled as she entered the room. “Giatta will stay with Damien until you return.”

Gemma looked as if she wanted to refuse. She paused, seeming to latch onto the first excuse she could find. “Alexi, I’d really like to freshen up first…”

He studied her for a moment and nodded once. “Very well. Come down the stairs, turn right, and we will be in the fourth room to your left. Don’t take too long.” He left her, heaving a sigh of relief as Gemma closed the door behind her. He wasn’t sure why, but the sound rankled.

*****

Leo entered the small room where his parents should have been waiting for him. However, only his father was in attendance. “Where is…?”

“Your mother was not feeling well and sends her apologies to the American visitors. She hopes to see them at dinner this evening.”

Leo sank into the closest chair. “What is wrong with her?”

Vasil shrugged his shoulders. “When one becomes our ages, one does not ask what is wrong, but rather, one should focus on what is right.”

Leo nodded in agreement. “Very well said.”

“So, you married this American girl…”

Leo shook his head, mentally preparing for the lecture that was sure to follow. “No. I have not married her yet.”

“Why not?” Vasil demanded, his tone imperial.

“There wasn’t time.”

“How long does it take to exchange marital vows? Marry the girl already and fix this problem. No grandson of mine is going to be raised in near poverty, not if I can help it. It is up to you to do the right thing.”

The right thing? Yeah, that’s where things are going to get a little tricky.“I called you when we were already on the plane headed here—to Greece.”

Vasil nodded. “Very well, marry her now. Today even.”

Leo shook his head. “There is a small problem.”