Page 30 of Her Greek Inheritance
Chapter 12
Hours after returning to the estate, Gemma was still trying to figure what had happened to evoke such a change in Alexi. One minute, they’d been snuggled on the cushions together. The next he’d been cold and dismissive. And then they’d arrived back at the estate and he’d separated her from Damien.
Damien had been escorted to his grandparents’ private quarters while she’d been tucked into the back of a limo and driven to a warehouse in the middle of the city. The discovery that the large Monet awaited her did nothing to lift her spirts. She was so upset with Alexi’s treatment of her and Damien that she struggled to accurately assess the restorative work the painting needed.
She’d finally demanded to be returned to the estate, only to discover that Vasil and Tressa had taken her son off the estate grounds. With the language barrier, she didn’t know where they’d gone or when they would be returning. She’d called Alexi’s phone, but it had gone straight to voicemail.
In desperation, she called Aimee. “I don’t know where Damien is.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know where he is?”
“Alexi wanted his parents to spend some time alone with him and…I should have put up more of a fight. What if they don’t bring him back?”
“Whoa! Calm down now. Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a little bit? Alexi hasn’t done anything to make you think he might steal Damien away, has he?”
“No… But, I get the impression he means to keep him here. In Greece.”
Aimee was quiet. Gemma grew even more worried. “What am I going to do?”
“Sweetie, there’s nothing you can do until Alexi shows himself.”
Hearing a noise, Gemma turned her head. “Speak of the devil. I’ll call you back.” She ended the call and made a beeline for Alexi. “Where is my son?”
Alexi looked taken aback by her tone. “He’s with my parents. Why?”
“Where is he? Where did they take him?”
Alexi spoke to a maid standing nearby and nodded at her reply. “They took him down to the park to show him off to their friends.”
“I want him back right now. I can’t do this anymore. We are going back to the States. Someone else will have to restore the Monet.” She turned, intending to go pack their bags.
Alexi’s grip on her shoulder stopped her.“You are not going anywhere. Have you forgotten our bargain? You committed to staying here for three months, not three days.”
“I’ve changed my mind. We are going home. Today.”
Alexi shook his head. “I cannot allow that to happen. Damien belongs here and so do you. In fact, I was coming to discuss our future. I believe we should get married. Immediately. I’ve already spoken to the priest—”
“What?” Gemma exploded. “Marry you! No!”
Alexi stared at her. His expression hardened. “Damien is staying here regardless. I am giving you a chance to stay here as his mother. Of course, if you wish to leave and return to the States without him, I can have a plane ready in an hour.”
“What? No! I’m not leaving my baby here.”
“And I’m not prepared to let you take him away.”
They were still staring each other down, neither prepared to give an inch, when the front doors opened. Alexi’s parents walked in, each of them holding one of Damien’s little hands in their own. Their obvious happiness hit Gemma like a physical blow. She rushed forward, barely managing to hold back her tears as she scooped Damien up.
Vasil spoke to his son. Alexi responded and a heated exchange followed.
Gemma decided to appeal to Tressa, hoping that the bond of motherhood could traverse the language barrier. Alexi had told her his parents understood more English than they spoke.God, I hope that is true.“Mrs. Moustakas, please. You have to help me. Alexi is threatening to keep Damien here against my wishes.”
Tressa spoke sharply to her son. She gave Gemma a look full of compassion, speaking in very hesitant English. “Our apologies.”
Gemma studied the older woman. She seemed genuine. “For what?”
“For my son. We have suffered a great loss and I’m afraid he and my husband have not handled things very well.”
Gemma was still confused. “I don’t understand.”