Page 24 of Her Greek Inheritance

Leo was furious. Petrina intended her words to hurt Gemma. One look at the American’s face showed that they were having an effect. He just wasn’t sure what the outcome would be. He strode across the room, but before he could intervene, Gemma’s expression changed.

She hurried towards the door. Giatta stood in the doorway holding Damien who had obviously been crying for his mother upon waking and finding himself in strange surroundings.

*****

“Momma?” Damien lunged for his mother’s arms. He hid his face in the crook of her neck.

Gemma ignored Petrina’s gasp of outrage and gathered her son up in her arms. She whispered to him, wiping away his tears. It was several minutes before she turned back to the rest of the world. She intended to excuse herself, but Petrina wasn’t finished with her yet.

The Greek woman took one look at Damien and said to the room in general. “You brought an American and her brat, here? Whatever were you thinking?”

Before Petrina could continue her diatribe, Leo took her by the shoulder and physically pushed her out the door of the room. “Go home!”

“But—” Petrina’s voice was whiny, but Leo didn’t seem to be influenced by it. He came back into the room and shut the door firmly behind him. “Gemma, come and introduce Damien to his grandfather—hispappoús.”

Gemma wanted to leave. She opened her mouth, intending to demand he take her and her son back to the airport, and get as far away from the awful woman as possible. It was plain to see that Petrina had a thing for Alexi and thought the two of them were to be married—but the rush of jealousy that thought created inside of her held her silent.

Why should I care if Alexi has a girlfriend? Just because I slept with him again… That was a one-time thing. It has to be. I can’t have feelings for him again. I have to think about Damien.

But no matter how much she tried to convince herself that she didn’t care for Alexi, the chemistry between them was ever present.What if I fall for him all over again?

She took a deep breath, struggling to control her reactions.I pulled my life together once before, but I have Damien and Tyler to think about now. I don’t know that I can do it again.

But I really miss his touch and the way he made me feel…

“Gemma, don’t let Petrina get to you. She’s a horrible human being and only after my wealth and position in society.”

Gemma looked at him. “You used to date her?”

He nodded and his expression showed his regret. “Unfortunately, yes. I assure you that whatever we had in the past is over and has been for a long time.”

Gemma watched him carefully and thought about how vile the woman had been to her. “She’s jealous.”

“I don’t care.”

Gemma swallowed. “She thinks she’s going to marry you.”

“She’s a sore loser. Now, come. We’ve kept my father waiting long enough.” He led her over to the waiting man, taking obvious joy in introducing her and Damien to Vasil.

His father enjoyed meeting Damien, even though the boy wasn’t very social. Gemma assured him that after Damien got to know his surroundings he would be a much happier young man to be around.

Vasil merely nodded and then left Gemma alone with Alexi, with only a few terse words for his son. Gemma wished she spoke his language. It would be much easier to communicate if she didn’t always have to rely on someone else to translate for her. Alexi didn’t seem inclined to require more of her presence.

He returned her and Damien to their suite of rooms. “Get some rest before dinner.” He looked at her tenderly, cupping her chin and kissing her lightly on the lips before leaving. It was easy to think he might have feelings for her.

Gemma shook her head.Remember Petrina. She seems to think he has feelings for her as well.

Gemma settled Damien down for a light nap, trying to make sense of her emotions. The more she tried, the more confused she became. When her head started to hurt, she decided to just take things moment by moment. There was too much at stake for her to completely lose her perspective.I need to be calm, and learn as much as I can about Alexi’s family, so that when the time comes to take a stand I can do so in a clear and concise manner.There was no room for the overwhelming confusion and chaos of her current thoughts.

She owed it to herself and to Damien to be mature and make informed decisions. Even when those decisions involved her feelings for Alexi.No matter what, I’m going to think before I act. I will not let my emotions or the situation control me. I’m stronger than that.