Page 55 of Her Greek Protector
“Leo, I’m glad to see you can follow directions. Join us, won’t you?”
Aimee looked into the eyes of the man who’d stolen her heart. Fear for his safety surged through her veins as she realized the deception he and his brother were attempting to pull off.What if Drossos isn’t convinced? What if he discovers that Leo is really Alexi?
*****
Alexi looked at the two girls and tried to let them know help was on the way. “Let the girls go. Your battle is with my father and now me, not them.”
“Oh, that was once true, but not anymore. I misjudged you and it occurred to me that if you were going to be a threat, what was to stop the women from also becoming a threat? The only way to prevent one of your family from running the company is to get rid of everyone. You, of course, will be signing over control of all stock to me before that occurs, but we’ll get to that in a moment. Right now, I just want to savor the feeling of my victory.”
Alexi wanted to punch the man. He couldn’t, not until Leo and Piotr made their appearance. “Do you honestly think anything I sign right before I die will be honored by the board? Or the courts? The country will seize control of everything and you will find you’ve gone to all of this trouble for nothing.”
Drossos shook his head, “No, you’re wrong. Once I speak to the board, they’ll realize the wisdom of allowing me to run the show. The government won’t be involved at all.”
Alexi laughed scornfully. “You thought you knew how the government worked before and see how that turned out. The only way you come out ahead is if you let us all live, and you and I come to some kind of arrangement.”
Drossos sneered. “You’re suggesting we work together?”
“That is one way things could work. Or I could simply give you enough money to go wherever you wanted and start the company of your choosing—or no company at all. You could just relax and enjoy your wealth.” Alexi kept his eyes on the man. He saw a slight movement in the dark hallway beyond Drossos, and tightened his expression, not letting a hint of his relief show.
“Take my offer, Drossos. You’re not as smart as you think you are. All this time, you were sending your emails to no one. You were sending them to Alexi’s private address. Did you know that?” Alexi asked, nonchalantly
Drossos shook his head. “You got my emails. You answered one just this morning.”
Alexi smiled as Leo strode from the hallway with Piotr and half a dozen men with their rifles raised right behind him. “Actually, my brother sent you that email.”
Drossos spun around, sputtering in confusion as his eyes took in both of the Moustakas twins. Alive and well. “You! You’re dead! What trick is this?!”
“No trick—just setting the record straight and getting rid of a nuisance.” Alexi told him. Piotr and his men made short work of disarming Drossos and his goons.
Leo stepped towards the girls, hugging first Kassi and then Aimee. “Are you both alright?”
“A little banged up but we’re good,” Kassi informed him.
Alexi was there when Aimee turned around, wrapping her in his arms and holding her close for a long moment. He pulled back, searching her face to see that she was indeed alive and well. “Aimee, I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
Aimee hugged him tight. “I was afraid I was never going to see you again. Why would you put yourself in harms’ way like that?”
“I needed to make sure you were safe.”
“By making yourself that psycho’s hostage?”
Alexi hid his smile. “While I’m pleased to know that you were worried about me, you didn’t need to be. I’m here now and everything’s going to be alright.”
Drossos cursed loudly as the metal door opened, preventing Alexi from saying more. Alexi looked to see all of Drossos’ men filing inside, their weapons missing, and their hands held over their heads.
“This is all of them,” one of the security guards told Piotr.
“Good. Cuff them and call for a wagon to haul them off. Let the authorities know we’ll be filing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, extortion, and anything else we can think of.” Piotr shook his head at Drossos as he passed him. “Against my better judgment, Alexi asked to speak with you alone.” He looked at Alexi and told him. “I’ll be back in two minutes to haul out the rest of the trash.”
Leo took Aimee’s elbow, pulling her gently away from Alexi. He turned her towards the exit door. When Piotr reached for Kassi’s arm in the same fashion, she jerked way from him and shook her head. “Don’t.”
Piotr cursed. “After all of this, you’re still going to cop an attitude with me? There was a time when you didn’t pull away from my touch. Remember?” Kassi refused to look at him and he shook his head. “I was right earlier, you really do need a keeper. ” He strode forward. “I’ll help Aimee, you take that one.”
It doesn’t matter who takes who. Just get them out of here.Alexi would never forgive himself for letting Aimee and Kassi get kidnapped. He wouldn’t feel easy until both women were back at the estate.
The door closed, Alexi looked at Drossos. After so long trying to track him, he felt only sadness for a man who had wasted his entire life trying to correct a perceived wrong. “How did you do it?”
“Do what?” Drossos snarled.