Page 12 of Her Greek Protector

While his death had been announced to the world, whoever had wanted to harm him wasn’t finished yet. Now, they were after Leo and his brother didn’t even know!

The previous emails had only been sent to Alexi’s private email, allowing him to keep the threat hidden. But the attacker must not have known how private it was. Or, he’d only been after Alexi because of his position with the company, and once his death had been broadcast far and wide, the attacker had switched his focus to the new man in charge. Leo.

Dreading what he might read, but believing that knowledge was power, Alexi opened one sent several weeks after his accident –

One down and one to go. I assumed I wouldn’t have to take out both of you, but it appears familial responsibility can be an impetus for change. Alexi presented a challenge, always careful and so protective of those he loved. It took me two years to finally accomplish my goal of getting rid of him. How long will it take to reach my next goal? A week? A month? A year?

It shall be interesting to watch you struggle to fulfill your duties as the reigning heir to the Moustakas Empire. I’ll be watching and waiting for the right time to help you join your brother in the afterlife. Enjoy your time playing CEO. It won’t last long.

Alexi read the words twice before he pushed himself away from the desk. He paced across his room. He was furious at what the letter implied. His yacht accident had been an act of sabotage. The death of his crewmembers, murder. Losing several months of his life, the victory of the person out to destroy him.

After reading through several more of the threatening emails, Alexi decided that the best way to keep his family and those he cared for safe while the threat was still present was to gather them all together in one place. Once Leo returned to Greece, Alexi’s family would be gathered together. That only left Gemma.

Retrieving Gemma was now at the top of his list. He’d thought to leave her in the States until the threat was handled, but then he’d seen a picture of her in one of the threatening emails, the meaning very clear to Alexi. Gemma was also in danger and the attacker knew where she lived. The picture, taken only a month prior, had been of Gemma entering the Smithsonian Museum of Fine Art, located in Washington D.C.—the place where she worked.

Alexi’s head throbbed in time with his heartbeat. He grabbed both sides of his skull, pressing for several minutes as he struggled to contain his emotions. When that didn’t work, he slipped on a robe and headed for the outside patio. He needed the calming presence of the gardens right now and a chance to focus on something other than the anger flowing through his veins.

He gained the downstairs patio doors and slipped outside, surprised to find the young nanny who’d so affected him the day before sitting on his favorite meditation bench. By the time he reached the bench, his skin was clammy, his head felt like someone was stabbing him repeatedly with an ice pick, and he was sure he was going to vomit.

“Hey! Are you alright?” Aimee rose and grabbed his arm as he staggered next to the bench.

“I just need to sit quietly for a minute,” he told her. She held onto his arm as he sank onto the bench, leaned back, and closed his eyes.

She settled next to him and then reached over and took his hand, lightly rubbing his palm. Alexi knew it wasn’t seemly for him to encourage the attentions of one of the household staff. However, as the tension gradually began to leave his head, he found he hadn’t any concern for societal roles or proper behavior.

She continued to massage his palm, pressing deeply into the webbing between his thumb and forefinger. He could only sit there as the pain subsided in stages until there was only a lingering tenderness behind his eyes.

He slowly opened his eyes to find her watching him. “Efkharisto.”

“The pain is better?” She released the pressure on his hand.

“It is. How did you do that?”

She shrugged. “I used to get headaches when I was younger. A friend’s sister was a student of oriental medicine and acupressure. That technique always seemed to help me.”

Alexi watched her from beneath his half-closed eyelids, taking in her fresh appearance, long blonde hair once again pulled up into a high ponytail, and the grey eyes that seemed full of mischief. The attraction he’d originally felt for her was back full force and he found himself having a hard time putting things into the proper perspective. She was one of the household employees and therefore, completely off-limits, but telling his body that was another thing entirely. If that wasn’t reason enough to deny his attraction to her, there were the small matters of the threats and Gemma. He needed to focus on what was truly important and his libido wasn’t one of them.

“What is your name again?”

“Aimee Myers.”

“Aimee…that’s a lovely name.” He was amused when she blushed and ducked her head, trying to hide her reaction to his compliment. “You areómorfi.” When she looked up and he saw the confusion in her eyes, he couldn’t resist brushing his fingers down her cheek. “It means beautiful.”She is that, but you have other things to think about. Remember?

Aimee searched his eyes and then shook her head. “I think maybe you didn’t get enough sleep or your headache has addled your brains.”

Alexi was now the one confused. “You don’t think you’re beautiful?”

Aimee smiled. “I’m not ogre ugly, but beautiful? No, I’m not even close. I’m passable and that’s okay with me.”

“Do you ever look in the mirror?” Aimee didn’t have the kind of face one would find on a fashion magazine, but Alexi had always believed those women were simply playing a role, all made up and refined for the photographer’s camera. What one saw was merely a mirage.

“Of course I do. I’m not going to win any beauty contests, nor would I want to. I can’t even imagine the torture of putting on makeup for an hour each day. Ugh!” She gave a mock shiver of revulsion. “So, what exactly happened to you?”

“I’m trying to forget.”

Her expression immediately sobered. “Sygnómi.”

The way she vacillated between Greek and English was charming. “Don’t be sorry. Curiosity is normally a good thing. Greek is not your first language?”