Page 36 of Her Greek Protector
Tressa and Vasil took Damien upstairs so that one of the maids could give him his nightly bath while the rest of the family enjoyed a quiet dinner.
Aimee took advantage of Leo’s absence to sit next to Gemma. “You look a little pale. Are you getting sick?”
Gemma shook her head. “I don’t think so. I wasn’t feeling very good this morning when we changed planes and threw up a couple of times. Leo made me promise to see the doctor tomorrow if I’m not feeling better. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
Kassi leaned forward. “Can you believe how much Leo and Alexi look alike now? Before I could tell them apart because Alexi’s hair was short and he wasn’t as tanned. The media is going to have a field day when this story finally comes out.”
Aimee gave her a stern look. “You promised you wouldn’t say anything.”
“I won’t, but you know it’s going to come out sometime.” Kassi shrugged. “They can’t stay holed up in the house forever.”
*****
“We have to be careful about leaving the estate,” Alexi warned Leo as they waited for Piotr to join them. He’d been told to arrive an hour after Leo and Gemma, not wanting to raise the media’s suspicions.
Piotr joined them in the front room, saluting as he entered. “We really need to figure out a way to get rid of those vultures hanging around the front gate. If the media get hold of the situation...”
“They’ll go away in time.” Leo turned to look at his brother, his arms crossed over his chest. “Now that Piotr is here, tell me what’s going on.”
Alexi gave Piotr and Leo the condensed version of what had been occurring for the last two years. “I thought this person would have gone away when news of my death became public knowledge, but it seems the threat has now transferred to you,” Alexi looked at his brother, “and the women. Pictures of Gemma and Kassi were included in some of the emails.”
Leo cursed and clenched his fists. “I won’t stand for anyone threatening my wife or this family. Enough is enough.”
“This person needs to be hunted down and stopped.” Piotr’s declaration had all three men nodding in agreement.
Alexi paced the room. “I tried having the emails traced, but they’re being routed all across the globe. A friend is looking into it further for me.”
“A friend?” Leo inquired.
“Yes. Now, Piotr, what plans have you made to ensure this family stays safe?”
Piotr outlined his security plan, including guards on Damien and Aimee. “I’ve told my men to stay out of sight, but only if they could do so and still perform their duties thoroughly. There are certain members of this household that will be less than thrilled to know their every move is being monitored.”
Alexi eyed him. “Anyone in particular you care to mention?”
Piotr shook his head. “You know I’m referring to Kassi, but let’s leave her out of this for now. I have it under control.”
Alexi hesitated. He’d done a little investigating of his own, and discovered that Piotr and Kassi had a history together. Before coming to live with his family, Kassi had been dating Piotr almost exclusively. Piotr was several years older than Alexi’s lovely cousin and independently wealthy in his own right, and yet he’d taken a position as head of security for Moustakas Shipping. The only reason Alexi had been able to come up with for this career choice was so that Piotr could keep an eye on the one woman who drove him crazy.
Alexi met Piotr’s gaze with an unspoken promise in his eyes. “We will discuss Kassi, but I agree, that conversation is for another time.”
Piotr inclined his head. “So, what’s the next move?”
Alexi narrowed his eyes. “We lure this coward out into the open.”
“Do you really think that is wise?” Leo asked.
“Everyone is here and going to be under surveillance. There won’t be a better time,” Alexi told him.
“Do you have a plan in mind?” Piotr asked.
Alexi’s expression hardened. “I’m going to send this person an invitation to meet with me, but I’ll be pretending to be Leo. Let’s give them the chance they want—but on our terms and in a place and time of our choosing. I’m betting whoever is sending those emails won’t be able to resist.”
“That could work.” Leo stroked his chin. “Especially if they think I’m the only one they have to deal with. Finding out we are both still very much alive and aware of their existence should give us the advantage.”
The three men looked at one another and then nodded. A plan had been formed, now they simply had to refine the details, execute it and keep everyone safe until it reached its conclusion—the elimination of their mutual enemy.
*****