Page 6 of Her Greek Inheritance

Leo arrived back at the company just before nine o’clock that evening. He was shocked to see the full board of directors in attendance, along with his father and several others, Petrina Pappas amongst them. Leo gave her a hard look.Why is she here?Remembering the hard task at hand, he pulled his attention back to his father and the somber board members staring at him.

“Patéras,I didn’t realize I was interrupting a board meeting.”

“The board meeting was called after your phone call.” His father’s expression indicated his anger that the attorney was called before he was. “I was told this would be for the best. Please, tell us what you have found so that we may deal with the consequences and all return to our homes and our beds.”

Leo looked at the unsmiling faces gathered around the large table. He ignored the smile Petrina sent him. They’d been on again off again lovers for several years, but while she would like nothing better than becoming Mrs. Leo Moustakas, he had no intention of ever letting the beautiful, conniving woman get ahold of his family’s wealth. She was fantastic in bed and always up for a good time, provided he added enough incentive to the deal, but that was where the attraction ended for him. He’d thought more than once that she was slightly unstable, but he had no proof and so far, she was willing to go away when he was through with her.

He looked at his Uncle and immediately knew he wasn’t going to like the plans set in motion after his phone call. His father’s brother had not been blessed with any children to inherit his portion of the company. The man looked smug and Leo knew that boded ill for his future. Petrina was his Uncle’s goddaughter. Suddenly Leo had a sneaky suspicion that the attorney had set things in motion he was sure to disagree with.Why else would Petrina be here unless she thought she had a chance at getting a ring on her finger?

“Leo!” his father demanded.“Explain what this is all about!”

Leo cleared his throat. “There’s a problem.Patéras, maybe we should discuss things privately...”

“What problem? With the stock?”

Leo nodded. “Yes. I really think we should discuss this first.”

“If the problem is with the stock, the board will hear about it eventually. They might as well hear it now. Tell us.”

Leo glared at the attorney. “Fine. This problem isn’t something we can just make go away.”

“Did you find the stock certificates?” his father demanded.

“Yes, but…”

“No buts! Where are they?”

Leo laid the folder he carried on the table. “In there.” When his father reached for them, he placed his hand on the folder. “He signed them away,” Leo told his father, not knowing how else to break the news.

“What do you mean he signed them away?” Vasil’s voice was very quiet.

Leo watched him carefully, monitoring his breathing and color, just in case the news was enough to cause his heart to seize. “Alexi transferred the stock to an American woman.”

His father was silent for so long, Leo wondered if he was still there.

“Patéras?”

“What is this game you are playing, Leo?” his father asked in a harsh whisper.

Leo sighed. “No game. Alexi signed all of his stock over to a woman named G. Larsen.”

“Gee? What kind of name is that?” his father snapped.

“I really don’t know, and it’s not her name, just the first initial. I’ve gone through his computer and I can’t find any reference to anyone that fits. The only thing I have is an address in Washington D.C. for her.”

Vasil pulled the folder out from beneath Leo’s hand and opened it. His eyes narrowed when he saw the transfer document. “Why would your brother do something like this?”

Leo shook his head. “I don’t know.”

The attorney leaned over and lifted out the papers, flipping through them. He scowled. “These are all legal. He gave away his part of the company.”

“This makes no sense.” Leo cringed inwardly as Petrina walked over and laid a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m so sorry, Leo. Your uncle warned me this had happened and he’s come up with a solution.”

Leo looked at his uncle and then back to Petrina. “What are you doing here?”

“Saving you.” Her smile had a calculating edge. “Your uncle has agreed to sign over his stock to me upon our marriage, giving you a controlling interest in the company once again. It won’t matter what Alexi foolishly did, you’ll still have control of the company.”