Page 9 of Slightly Married (Irresistible #2)

I walked through the lounge of the private airport terminal, my security chief Alexei moving three paces behind me while Andreas walked alongside, efficiently reciting updates from the morning’s final meetings.

The Olympus Motors jet waited on the tarmac, ready to take me from London back to Athens.

“The contracts have been couriered to legal,” Andreas informed me, tablet in hand. “And the investigator called. He wants to meet at your earliest convenience. Says he has new information about the shooting.”

I nodded, my interest momentarily piqued by the mention of potential developments in Theo’s case. But my attention quickly shifted to my phone, which vibrated against my thigh. Kayla’s name appeared on the screen.

Two weeks had passed since the procedure. According to my research, both blood, and urine tests could detect pregnancy by now.

Negative

One word. No punctuation, no emotion.

I paused, causing Alexei to move to stand before me.

“Everything alright, sir?” he asked, his hand on his concealed weapon as he scanned for potential threats.

“Fine,” I responded curtly, drawing a breath to compose myself.

I shouldn’t feel disappointed. Medical literature indicated conception often required multiple cycles. We would simply try again when her body was ready.

Yet a quiet emptiness expanded in my chest. There was nothing to grieve, I reminded myself. Nothing had been lost. Just a possibility that hadn’t materialized.

Andreas glanced at me with curiosity, but knew better than to inquire about personal matters.

“Inform the pilot we’re ready to depart,” I instructed him, resuming my walk toward the jet.

Stella’s perfume reached me before I’d fully boarded the plane. She sat in her usual place, scrolling through her phone, designer handbag positioned beside her. At my approach, she looked up with a smile, patting the adjacent seat with manicured fingers.

“Come sit,” she said warmly. “I was thinking we could look over venues for the wedding during the flight.”

“Later,” I replied, moving past her. “I’ll be taking calls in the private cabin. No disturbances.”

Alexei positioned himself near the main cabin entrance as I headed directly to the bedroom in the rear. Once inside, I secured the door and sat on the edge of the bed, dialing Kayla’s number.

“It was always a fifty-fifty chance,” she said after answering, her tone defensive.

“What’s the next step?” I asked, keeping my voice carefully neutral.

“The doctor recommends we try again when I ovulate in a few weeks. Or I guess we can miss that one since you’re traveling.”

“I’ll be there.” A pause stretched between us. “How are you feeling?”

“Disappointed,” she admitted. “I’d hoped it would work the first time.”

I nodded, forgetting she couldn’t see me. “Same here. It’s a setback in our timeline.”

“Right. The timeline.” There was something in her tone I couldn’t identify. “Anyway, the doctor says my hormone levels look good. Our odds should be better next cycle.”

“Good.”

“I have to go. I’ve got work.”

Work? The word registered as incongruous. What work? The agreement ensured her complete financial security. Before I could formulate the question, the connection ended.

I stared at the silent phone, experiencing an unusual sense of incompleteness. There had been more to say, though precisely what eluded me.

Inquire about her emotional state? Question this mysterious employment? Offer reassurance?

The opportunity had passed. She’d ended the conversation, clearly requiring neither my input nor comfort.

I reclined against the pillows, in no rush to join Stella in the main cabin. The ceiling offered no answers to questions I hadn’t properly formed.

The private investigator’s voice droned on, each word grating against my already frayed patience. I maintained my composure through sheer discipline, seated behind a long desk in Olympus Motors’ conference room while Aristides and Dimitrios flanked me.

“As you can see from this enhanced footage,” the investigator continued, gesturing to grainy marina surveillance images revealing nothing we hadn’t already examined a dozen times.

Ten months. Almost an entire year since Theo’s blood had pooled on my yacht deck, since the bullet had torn through my side, and all we had to show for it was recycled footage and speculative theories.

“I’m also exploring a potential connection to Mr. Pavlou’s rare automobile collection,” he added, straightening his tie with unearned confidence.

I exchanged a glance with Aristides, whose nostril flare conveyed his identical assessment of this incompetence. The police had dismissed the car collection angle within the first week of investigation.

The investigator cleared his throat, shuffling through his papers. “There’s something else I’ve uncovered recently. A private account under a shell company linked to Mr. Pavlou.”

My attention sharpened despite my skepticism. “The police vetted all his financials.”

“This was well-hidden,” the investigator replied, sliding a document across the table. “Registered in the Cayman Islands under a corporate alias. Regular cash deposits followed by transfers to what appears to be a private gambling establishment in Mykonos.”

I studied the transactions, my muscles bunching uncomfortably between my shoulders. “This can’t be right. Theo didn’t gamble.”

“The evidence suggests—”

“I knew Theo for thirty-five years,” I cut him off. “He wouldn’t touch a slot machine, let alone underground gambling.”

Dimitrios leaned forward, examining the papers. “Could someone have been using his identity? Or blackmailing him?”

“Possible,” the investigator conceded. “The account was opened a year before his death.”

Aristides frowned. “That timing could be significant. Who had access to his personal information?”

“Or it could be completely irrelevant,” I countered, my patience wearing thin. “Perhaps you should focus on credible leads instead of fabricating motives.”

We had been on my yacht in Santorini. Theo should have been in Germany but had delayed his trip by a day because of a hangover. If Theo had been the target, why attack him on my yacht, and why were the assailants surprised by his presence on the vessel?

“Thank you for your time,” Aristides said finally. “We’ll be in touch.”

“I’ll continue digging,” the investigator promised, gathering his materials. “There’s bound to be a breakthrough soon.”

“You do that,” my elder brother replied, the subtle sarcasm imperceptible to anyone who didn’t know him well.

Once the door closed behind him, I stood, pacing to the window. “How much longer are we going to rely on this joker to find information? We still don’t know who came after me and murdered my best friend.”

“We need to be patient,” Aristides advised, straightening his already immaculate tie. “Something of this nature—”

“I’ve been patient,” I cut in, turning to face them. “For almost a year I’ve waited while Theo’s killers walk free. I’m done sitting idle while justice remains out of reach.”

“Mercenaries,” Dimitri interjected, sprawling back in his chair. “When the fuck are you two finally going to admit that my idea holds merit? We’ve been going the straightforward, legal route all along, and that has borne no fruit. Let’s put out a bounty for information.”

Aristides’ expression hardened. “We’ve discussed this. The Christakis name cannot be associated with such methods. Our reputation—”

“I’m not suggesting the mob,” Dimitrios countered. “I’m talking about professionals. Ex-military operatives—”

“Black ops,” our elder brother reminded him.

“Men who deliver results,” Dimitrios pressed. “Professionals who understand discretion.” He jabbed a finger toward the door. “Unlike that charlatan.”

I considered both perspectives, weighing family reputation against my need for closure. “What Dimi is saying has merit. Why don’t we stay the course for the next three months, which is when our current contract runs out, and then, if we aren’t satisfied, follow his idea?”

I looked from brother to brother, receiving their nods. At least that was settled.

“Meanwhile,” Aristides redirected, “we need to discuss Miss Massey’s proposals for Thalassía’s restoration.”

I returned to the desk. “I’m surprised you handed the contract to her. Six months ago, she was an architectural student. Shouldn’t we engage an established Greek firm?”

“I awarded her the contract for Santo’s sake,” Aristides admitted. “It was leverage to bring him into the family business.”

“Remarkable that he agreed,” Dimitrios observed.

A rare smile crossed Aristides’ face. “I expected refusal when I presented my terms, but his interest in her apparently outweighed his resistance.”

“And you have no concerns about this relationship? She’s American and not even half-Greek like Kayla,” inquired Dimitrios.

Aristides studied him. “If you’re referring to her race, I’ve observed only her effect on my son. For whatever reason, my son wants to impress Miss Massey, and I have a feeling she’s good for him.”

“We shouldn’t force Santo’s hand,” I argued. “The decision to become part of Olympus Motors should be his own.”

“I’ll handle my son,” Aristides replied, his tone cooling. “Focus on producing your own. I’ll welcome your parenting advice after you’ve held your child in your arms and then watched as they dismantle every dream you had for their future.”

Dimitrios grinned. “How can he make a baby when he’s not even sleeping with his wife?”

I began gathering my documents. “Mind your own affairs,” I snapped.

“Now you’ve made him defensive,” Aristides chided Dimitrios before turning to me with exaggerated seriousness.

“As the eldest and only father among us, I should have explained the birds and the bees sooner. Marriage requires intimacy, brothers. You need to have sexual intercourse with a woman to create a baby.”

Dimitrios’ laughter erupted, both of them finding amusement at my expense.

I straightened to my full height, looking down at them with coldness. “I’ll consider marital advice when you stop living like a monk. When was the last time you had any pussy, Aris?” I turned to Dimitrios. “And you can lecture me when you stop paying for pussy.”

With that, I strode from the room, leaving my brothers’ laughter behind me.

The elevator doors closed with merciful swiftness, sealing me into blessed silence. I loosened my tie, allowing myself a moment of disorder as I leaned against the wall.

My brothers’ teasing had struck a nerve, not because of their juvenile humor, but because they’d highlighted the bizarre reality of my situation.

I was a married man who had never spent a night with his wife. A man trying to conceive a child through scientific means while engaged to another woman.

The doors opened onto the executive parking level, and I was halfway to my car when my phone vibrated. Stella’s name appeared on the screen, the timing so uncanny I nearly laughed.

“Kostas?” Her voice trembled. “I’m at Athens General. It’s Papa. They found him unconscious in his study.”

My irritation evaporated instantly. “I’m on my way,” I replied.

Twenty minutes later, I found myself at Athens General Hospital, where Giorgos Pavlou had been admitted for alcohol poisoning. Again.

Stella was already there, her face drawn with worry as she stood beside her father’s bed. When she saw me, relief overcame her countenance.

“Kostas, thank you for coming,” she said, reaching for my hand.

I nodded, my attention on the gaunt man before me. Giorgos had aged a decade in the months since Theo’s death. His skin held a yellowish tint from liver damage; his hands trembled even in sleep.

“How bad this time?” I asked quietly.

“They pumped his stomach,” Stella replied. “Doctor says his liver is...” she trailed off, unable to finish.

My fingers instinctively moved to the scar along my ribs, tracing its ridged outline through my shirt. I should have been the one who took that fatal bullet instead of Theo, who had only been there because I’d convinced him to delay his trip to Germany by one day.

Guilt seeped into every part of me, overwhelming my senses. If I’d been more vigilant, Theo might still be alive. Giorgos wouldn’t be drowning his grief in spirits, and I wouldn’t be engaged to Stella.

Giorgos stirred, his bloodshot eyes focusing on me. “Christakis,” he croaked. “Come to check on the old man?”

“You need help, Giorgos,” I said, cutting through pretense. “Real help. I’ve made arrangements at the Helvetia Rehabilitation Center in Switzerland.”

“Sending me away?”

“Saving your life,” I corrected. “For Theo’s sake. For Stella’s.”

Something in my tone must have reached him. His expression sobered as he glanced at his daughter. “When?”

“Once you’re stable to travel. Everything’s arranged.”

Giorgos nodded slowly. “I’ll need money. To close up the house, pay bills...”

“It’s already in your account,” I replied. The amount I’d transferred was more than necessary, but I owed him this and more.

Later, as we walked to the parking garage, Stella linked her arm through mine. “Come back to my place,” she suggested, leaning into me. “I could use the company tonight.”

I stopped, turning to face her. “Stella, we’ve discussed this. Until we’re married, there won’t be any intimacy between us.”

Disappointment swept across her features. “But I crave your touch, Kostas. The one night we shared was the best sex of my life.” Her eyes searched mine. “Wasn’t it the best for you, too? How can you ask me to wait a full year before experiencing that again?”

“That night was... complicated for both of us. I made a commitment to honor our engagement properly, and that means waiting until after our wedding.”

“Of course,” she conceded. “You’re right. It’s just...” She glanced away. “Sometimes I forget what a traditional man you are, Kostas.”

I almost laughed. My supposed traditional values were merely a shield to keep her at arm’s length.

The truth was far simpler and far more cowardly. I couldn’t bear the thought of touching her intimately. My marriage to Kayla had bought me a year’s reprieve from marriage to Stella and her bed.

Stella’s posture was rigid as I opened the passenger door of my car for her. I drove through the evening traffic, grateful for the distraction of navigating Athens’ busy streets while she stared out the window.

After dropping Stella off, I found an email from the fertility clinic with an appointment notification. I felt a flutter of anticipation at the prospect of seeing Kayla again.