Page 32 of Her Greek Inheritance

“So Petrina really is his fiancé?” Gemma hoped her expression didn’t convey how she felt about the idea of Leo and that vile woman as a couple.

“No, I believe Leo would rather marry a dog than that woman.” Tressa grimaced. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ve watched her grow up, but she has not grown into a very nice woman. She is shallow and personally I can’t imagine having her for a daughter-in-law.”

Gemma laughed before covering her mouth with her hand. “Sorry.” Her laughter was part nerves, part relief.

“Don’t be. Now, about the stock certificates. With the declaration of my son’s death, you have become a very wealthy woman. You have enough stock to have a seat at the board table if you so desire.”

Gemma stared down at the certificates. “I don’t want to have a seat at any board table. I don’t know the first thing about boats…”

“Ships, dear.” Tressa corrected her.

Gemma blushed. “Ships. Big ships. Anyway, I don’t anything about that sort of thing. I really just want to restore art and raise my son.”

“Well, regardless of what you want, you now have enough money and leverage to make a new life for yourself.”

“But Leo… He threatened to keep Damien here and not let him leave.”

Tressa spoke quietly. “My husband and I are old and we would like to see our only grandchild grow up here, amidst all of the things only we can provide for him. Please, consider your next steps carefully. He is all we have left of Alexi.”

Gemma was silent. Tressa and Vasil were Damien’s only grandparents... “You said Alexi was declared dead?”

Tressa shut her eyes. “His ship went down at sea. After an extensive three-week search, the authorities declared him dead. There are very strong currents in the area he was last reported being in and several storms went through while they were searching.” Tressa wiped tears from her eyes. “Alexi’s body was not recovered. Vasil felt it was time to move forward with life.

“I can’t tell you how happy meeting Damien has made my husband and myself. It is like having a small piece of Alexi back with us. Damien is a lovely boy and you’ve done a very good job with him. We would like to be a part of his life going forward. Is that too much to ask? We want to give him…the world.”

Gemma had contemplated those very things during the long hours she’d spent in her suite of rooms after discovering Leo’s true identity. The Moustakas family was extremely wealthy and she was not. She wanted to be the one to give Damien the world, but she also worried that the price for doing so would ruin her. Gemma swallowed. “I don’t think I can make any decisions right now. This is a lot to take in.”

Tressa patted her hand and stood. “Take all of the time you need. But, please, don’t think you need to hide up here by yourself. I very much enjoyed getting to know your son today. I know Leo has enjoyed being around him.”

Gemma stayed where she was as Tressa left, so tired and emotionally wrung out, she simply wanted to shut her eyes and go to sleep.Alexi was presumed dead. His twin brother was not only handsome, but the chemistry between them was unlike anything she’d ever dreamed of.She drew a deep breath.He asked me to marry him.Despite everything that had happened between them, she was tempted by it.While that might solve one problem, it could also create a whole bunch of new ones.

Gemma paced back and forth across the length of her room.Alexi’s parents obviously love Damien already and I want them to have a chance to see him grow up...But that meant bringing him to Greece, or moving permanently. What about my life back in the States? And what about Leo? What if, now that his secret is out, his offer of marriage is no longer on the table? Where would I fit into the scheme of things if I stayed here?

She sank down onto the couch again, no closer to any answers than before. She looked at the folder containing the stock certificates and shook her head. The Alexi she’d known wouldn’t have given a second thought to doing something so extravagant. The date of the letter seemed to coincide with his departure from her life.Did he know, somehow, he wouldn’t be coming back tome?

Another piece of the puzzle that needs solving.

Gemma yawned. Exhaustion grabbed hold of her. Knowing nothing would be gained by staying up all night, she headed for the bed she shared with her small son. Snuggling against Damien, she drifted off to sleep. Decisions could wait until tomorrow.