Page 13 of The Billionaire’s Siren (S.E. Smith Signature Romance: Heart & Soul #1)

The rhythmic thump of the helicopter blades echoed across the rooftop helipad as the sleek black aircraft touched down atop the gleaming steel-and-glass tower in the heart of Athens.

The rising sun painted the Acropolis in golden hues in the distance, but Alexandros barely spared it a glance.

His mind was miles away—back onboard the Kallistratos Challenge , on a dock bathed in moonlight, with a woman who had turned his world upside down.

He stepped out of the chopper, his custom leather shoes clicking against the polished landing pad. The sharp Mediterranean wind tugged at his open collar and the edges of his tailored navy jacket.

“Welcome back, sir,” Julius greeted, walking briskly beside him.

The ever-efficient PA fell in step without missing a beat, tablet already in hand.

“Your brother has called twice. Your father once. And you’ve missed four meetings, two strategy calls, and I took the initiative when I didn’t hear from you to reschedule your breakfast with the Norwegian delegation. ”

Alexandros grunted, his eyes fixed ahead as they crossed the rooftop terrace and entered the private elevator.

“Tell the Norwegians I’ll host them for lunch,” he said absently. “With their pick of wine from the cellar. And send my apologies to the minister.”

“Yes, sir. And the Dryfuss deal?—”

“Later,” Alexandros cut in, his voice low but final.

Julius hesitated. “Very well.”

The elevator descended with a soft hum, opening directly into the penthouse-level executive suite of Kallistratos International.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offered an uninterrupted view of Athens awakening below—traffic flowing like silver veins, marble monuments rising between ultra-modern buildings.

But Alexandros saw none of it. All he saw was Dani.

Her smile as she’d watched him leave. Her sun-kissed skin. The delicate lines of her collarbone beneath that loose peasant blouse.

I still don’t know what her favorite color is, he thought. Or whether she prefers sunrise to sunset. What she dreams about when she’s alone. But I’ll find out. I’ll learn every inch of her… body and soul.

He didn’t realize Julius had stopped speaking until the man cleared his throat .

“My apologies,” Alexandros muttered. “Tell legal I’ll join the meeting in thirty. Come prepared.”

Julius gave a curt nod. “Understood.”

Alexandros crossed the expansive office and closed the door behind him. The silence that followed was thick and deliberate—his fortress, his control. But this morning, the silence was threaded with impatience.

He pulled out his phone and dialed his brother, Theo.

The line barely rang once.

“Where the hell have you been?” Theo barked, his voice clipped with irritation. “Gina cornered me at that rooftop club in Kolonaki last night, going on about you kicking her stepbrother off your yacht. And that’s not even the worst of it—the Dryfuss deal is this close to going sideways.”

Alexandros ran a hand through his hair and leaned back against the edge of his desk, grinning despite himself. “Would it help if I told you I seriously considered tying an anchor around Vito’s neck before tossing him overboard?”

Theo laughed, despite his obvious annoyance. “That would’ve made my night a hell of a lot easier.”

“She’s not one of my lovers,” Alexandros said firmly. “Despite what Gina wants.”

“Then tell her. Before I have to hear about it again.”

A pause before Theo added, “So…what’s the story? Vito was going on and on about some mechanic throwing herself overboard after making a scene.”

“She didn’t make a scene—well, she did, but she had a right to. Vito locked her in my stateroom,” Alexandros replied, the smile returning to his lips. “And yes, she escaped—after punching me in the groin.”

“She did what ?! She attacked you? And what do you mean, she jumped overboard? At night?” Theo chuckled.

“Yes. Then, she had the nerve to ask if I was nuts for following her. Her name is Dani. I’ve never met a woman like her before, Theo. She is magnificent. ”

There was another pause. Theo chuckled and released a low whistle. “Dani, huh? You sound… serious.”

Alexandros turned toward the windows, eyes scanning the horizon without seeing it. “I am. She’s… smart. Gorgeous. Funny. Real. And I want her. All of her.”

“Damn,” Theo muttered. “And here I thought we agreed neither of us did serious.”

“I didn’t. Until her.”

Silence stretched between the brothers for a beat before they shifted back into business mode, breaking down the Dryfuss merger with sharp efficiency. Numbers, projections, liabilities. But even as they strategized, Alexandros’s mind kept drifting back to Dani’s smile.

Before they ended the call, Theo asked, “When are you introducing her to the family?”

“This weekend. At the estate.”

“You’re bringing a woman home?” Theo sounded stunned. “To Syros?”

“Yes,” Alexandros said. “I told you, she’s different. I want you, Mother, and Father to meet her.”

“I’ll be there.”

After hanging up, Alexandros immediately called his father.

Christos Kallistratos answered in his usual baritone, steady and commanding. “Alexandros. About the Dryfuss issue?—”

“Handled. Theo and I are coordinating. I meet with Legal in… fifteen minutes. Don’t worry. It will go through.”

There was a brief silence. “What is going on with Gina? Apollo and Dorothea dropped in unexpectedly for dinner last night. They would really like to see an announcement.”

“I will not be pressured into any of Gina or her parent’s charades. It is nothing but a wishful dream on their part. I imagine they would like to get rid of the monster they have created.”

Christos sighed. “Gina has been feeding them a line that your engagement is imminent. Your mother and I pretended to be surprised by the information and told them we hadn’t heard anything. ”

“She is dreaming. There never has, nor will there ever be, anything between Gina and me. She still harbors a belief from when we were kids and you and Apollo jokingly mentioned we would make a good match. She’ll get over it.”

“Yes, your mother tends to remind me about that unfortunate conversation whenever Apollo and Dorothea visit,” Christos grumbled. “Gina’s not the type to get over things. She tends to let things fester. I’ll have another word with Apollo.”

“I’m aware. You needn’t bother. I’ll deal with Gina once and for all,” Alexandros said before he hesitated. “I wanted to let you know… I’ll be at the villa on Syros this weekend. And I’ll be bringing a guest.”

His father’s voice held a flicker of interest. “A guest?”

“A woman. A very special one.”

Another pause. Then, with mild surprise, “Your mother will be delighted. You’ve never brought a woman to meet us, much less to our family home.”

“I know,” Alexandros said simply.

“I’ll tell her. I know she will be pleased.”

After ending the call, Alexandros set the phone on his desk and turned back to the view. The city sprawled beneath him, humming with life. But it felt hollow. Detached.

He closed his eyes and pictured Dani—barefoot on the dock, her skirt dancing in the breeze, that quicksilver smile lighting up her face.

I gave you last night, Dani.

Tonight, Dani, you’ll be mine. And this time… you won’t want to go.

His jaw tightened with anticipation.