Page 19 of Her Greek Protector
Alexi heard his brother assure Gemma they would be landing in Greece before the sun set the next day. It would take close to sixteen hours to fly home from their present location, after all. “Gemma, I will see you at dinner tomorrow, if not before. Now, may I speak with Leo once more?”
“Okay. Alexi, I’m so glad you’re alive. I can’t wait to see you again.”
“The same goes for me.” Alexi wanted only the best for Gemma and while he was anxious to see her again, he found that during the course of their conversation, he no longer wanted to be her lover and her husband. He would still see to her safety, but in the role of her brother-in-law. She was family now, and that meant everything.
He waited until Leo came back on the line and then he got right to the point, “What steps have you taken to ensure your safety while travelling and who knows where you’re at?”
There was a moment of silence and then Leo lowered his voice to a mere whisper. “Alexi, what’s going on?”
“I didn’t say anything was going on…”
“You’re asking me about safety and who knows where Gemma and I are. That pretty much sounds like something is going on. Talk.”
“I prefer not to at this time. However, it would ease my mind if you would answer the question. Do you have a security detail with you?”
“No, I left Grigo with Aimee and Damien. We just have Anton and Nilos. Anton’s wife is our stewardess.”
“Skata!” Alexi held back the other curses that wanted to spew forth. His brother and Gemma were sitting ducks.
“I don’t know what you’re so upset about,” Leo told him. “I normally travel with a skeleton crew. I didn’t want to tip the press off so we’re travelling as light as possible.”
“You’re taking unnecessary risks! Tell me your flight plans and I will have a security detail meet you at the airport in Dubai. You’ll also need another set of pilots to relieve Anton and Nilos. Is Kagan still flying for us?” When Leo didn’t immediately respond, he repeated the question. “Leo, if you care about Gemma, you need to answer my questions.”
“I will tell you, if you promise to tell me what’s going on. I don’t like being kept in the dark, brother.”
“I’ll tell you what I can. That’s the only promise I’ll make right now.” Alexi briefly described the threats he’d been getting before his ship had sunk, leaving out the finer details and the fact that this person was taking credit for having sabotaged his yacht. “I have every reason to believe this threat still exists.”
“Is Gemma in danger?” Leo demanded in a harsh whisper.
Alexi rolled his shoulders as the tension he’d been fighting increased. “I don’t know for certain, but I need you to take extra precautions. Please do this for her, if not for me.”
Now it was Leo’s turn to curse. “I would do it for you both. We’ll be flying out of Australia in about five hours and heading to Dubai. From there, we’ll refuel and then head towards Greece.”
“Kagan will meet you at the airport in Dubai with a security detail and another pilot. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
“Alexi…” Leo’s voice was filled with emotion.
Alexi gripped the phone tighter. “I know, Leo. Be safe.” He disconnected the call and after a brief pause, he used the intercom to page Adara. “I want to see the head of security immediately and get Kagan on the phone.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll have Piotr come up right away. Will there be anything else?”
“Not right now. Ring Kagan through as soon as you get him on the line.”
“Right away, Mr. Moustakas.”
Alexi went to the large windows, looking out over the port. He reveled in the fact that he’d survived and made it back to his family. There had been times during his time on Ranongga where he’d wondered if he would ever remember where he belonged, but those days were long past. Now he knew for certain that he was unwilling to remove himself from his family again.
The phone rang just as Adara tapped on his office door and showed the head of security into his office. Piotr was not much older than Alexi’s own thirty-one years. Piotr had served four years with the Hellenic Navy and then trained for the Special Forces, directed by a former US Navy Seal. He had been lured out of military service to work for Moustakas Shipping when the threat of piracy and terrorism had threatened to destroy the company. He was paid very well for his work and Alexi had complete faith in his abilities.
He gestured for Piotr to have a seat while he dealt with the phone call. “Kagan?”
“Mr. Moustakas. What can I do for you today, sir?”
“I have a special request for you but first I must have your promise that what I am about to tell you remains between us and is treated with the utmost secrecy.” He caught Piotr’s eye as he said this and then covered the mouthpiece on the phone. “I’ll be needing the same commitment from you, right now.”
“Whatever you need, you have my solemn promise,” Piotr assured him.
“You know you have my loyalty,” Kagan told him.