Page 26 of Her Greek Inheritance
He didn’t give her a chance to respond, he simply strode down the hallway and into his own rooms, going straight to his desk. He immediately pulled up the information the private investigator had sent him on Gemma and those closest to her.
Once he’d located Tyler’s phone number he placed a much needed call. “Tyler Larsen?”
“Yeah. Hey, who is this? I don’t recognize this number.”
“This is Leo Moustakas. We met at your sister’s apartment several days ago.”
“Oh, yeah. Her new boyfriend. Hey, man, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but she’s off in Greece—”
“Your sister is with me. Now, I need you to listen and listen very carefully.” Leo’s tone was firm. It was way past time Tyler started carrying his own weight. “I’ve become aware of the way you’ve been abusing your sister’s love and responsibility for you.”
“Wait! Who are you again?” Tyler demanded.
“The man who is going to help you grow up and give your sister some peace and financial relief. I have a proposition for you. I understand you’re studying international business?”
“Yeah, I’m entering grad school in the Fall. What does that have to do with anything?”
Leo restrained his temper. “I am prepared to fund the rest of your education, provided you agree to come and work for my company after your graduation. This offer is contingent on you never asking your sister for money again.”
“Whoa! Man, are you serious?”
“Very. Do we have a deal?”
“You’ll pay for all of grad school?”
“Yes. I will see that the funds are wired to your institution before this day ends. But I must have your promise on the other two conditions.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal. Man, I can’t believe this. Does Gemma know?”
“No, and for now that is the way I wish things to remain. You may call her in a day or two and let her know you found another way to pay for your schooling and that she is relieved from the stress you’ve put her under. Tell her what you wish, but do not tell her where those funds came from.”
“Yeah, sure. I can do that. Hey, she’ll be able to come home sooner.”
“I’m afraid that will not be possible. I require your sister to remain in Greece for a while longer. Maybe you should wait until I give you leave to tell her that her money woes are over. In fact, that is a much better way to play this.” Leo gave the young man an email address. “Send me your educational institutions information and I will take care of the rest. And Tyler, make better use of your time and your resources. I will pay for your schooling, but you will be responsible for any living expenses you incur over the next few years. Delivering pizzas may not be the best way to accomplish that.”
Leo hung up the phone, feeling strangely satisfied. Gemma would be thrilled to find out she didn’t need to stress about money any longer.If I have my way, she will never stress over money again.
He headed downstairs and located his man of affairs flirting with the cook in the kitchens. Petrina was there as well, but Leo ignored her for the moment. “Grigo, I am going to forward you some information. Contact the school and see that Tyler Larsen’s tuition bills are paid out of my personal account for the foreseeable future.”
“Naí,I will see to it right away.” Grigo winked at the cook and the pair of them ducked out the back door.
Leo turned to see Petrina giving him a pitying look. “How the mighty have fallen.”
“What are you talking about? And why are you back here?”
Petrina checked her nails. “That little American whore has wormed her way into your heart.’
Leo shook his head. “Don’t be silly. Everyone knows I don’t have a heart.”
“You didn’t use to, but what you just did… That is completely out of character.” She shook her head and headed for the exit. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but unless you’ve gotten those stock certificates signed back over, you and I have a date with a minister.”
Leo watched her leave, his hands clenched in fists.Never! I will not marry that woman. She would drive me insane inside of a month!
He headed upstairs to retrieve Gemma, his protective instincts once more rising to the surface. He’d taken care of her brother’s constant need for money, and now he needed to figure out what other problems in her life he could fix. The chemistry between them was still there. As he headed up the stairs, he started making plans to show her his Greece. Not the one the tourists saw, but the country of his childhood. The place he called home and would always come back to.
He had a strong desire to make her smile and to taste her kiss once again. To take her away from the demands of his family and the reminders of how different their lives were. At some point, in the very near future, she would have to make some decisions about her and Damien’s future, but not today.Today, I will give her the sunshine, the moon, and the beauty of Greece.