by Kira Archer
“Well, what would madam prefer?” the jeweler finally asked.
“I…” Constance glanced at Luca, clearly pleading for help.
He took pity on her. It was impossible not to with those eyes of hers gazing up at him like a puppy begging for treats.
“Perhaps something a little simpler,” he said.
He was immediately rewarded with a relieved smile.
“Yes,” she agreed. “Something simple.”
The jeweler’s forehead creased in a minute frown but he produced a tray of solitaires; simple, yet each large enough to cover her finger from base to knuckle. Constance chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes roaming over the selection.
Luca spied a ring tucked in among a display of sapphires and leaned down for a closer look. The center stone was a decent sized, probably three carats or so, a square-cut sapphire that shined with deep-blue fire under the lights. It was surrounded by small diamonds with another round sapphire nestled beside them on each side, set in a simple platinum band.
“That one,” he said, pointing to it. “Let’s see that one.”
Constance glanced at him in surprise and then down at the ring that they handed to him. Her face softened, a small sigh escaping her lips. He took her hand and slid the ring on her left ring finger.
“Luca, it’s beautiful,” she said, gazing down at it.
He brought her hand up to his lips, his eyes locking with hers as he pressed a kiss to the ring on her finger. “It’s not as beautiful as those big blue eyes of yours, but it’s close,” he said, loving the blush that stained her cheeks.
He’d said the words to keep up his part in the charade, but the moment he said them, he realized he meant every word. Instead of exploring that concerning thought, he turned back to the jeweler. “I think we’ll take this one.”
“Very good, sir,” he said.
Luca let go of Constance long enough to take care of the details and then rejoined her. He caught her staring at the ring, holding it up to let the light shine through and spread blue-tinged rainbows throughout the room. A smile touched his lips before he recognized the emotion gently warming him. He’d felt a range of things for the women in his life over the years. Lust, certainly. Protectiveness, sometimes. Affection, occasionally. Love, not to any significant degree, but tenderness…never. Until now.
He didn’t know what it was about her. Maybe it was because she despised him, or acted like she did. It was a novel experience being loathed by a woman. Or maybe it was that the things that mattered so much to everyone else in his life meant nothing to her. She didn’t care about his money, fame, fancy cars, or famous friends. That stuff made her want him less, not more. She might spend most of their conversations criticizing him and his lifestyle, but at least when she spoke he knew it was the real her speaking, not some version of her she thought he might like. There were few genuine people in his life—Joe, his housekeeper Mrs. Lasko, his father, and now Constance.
Before he could reflect too deeply on the bombardment of unwelcome feelings trying to creep their way into his heart, dozens of blinding lights flashed through the window. Constance jumped, a hand covering her mouth to try and contain the startled squeak that he heard anyway.
Luca sighed. Time to get the show on the road.
He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple to keep the hovering jeweler from overhearing. “When we go out we’ll walk straight to my car. I’ll open the door for you. Please don’t fight me on it. It’ll just leave you in the middle of the vultures for longer, but make sure they get a good shot of the ring.”
Her panicked expression melted into annoyance. Her lips might have been smiling but her eyes were shooting daggers. “How do I do that?”
Anger was good. Anger didn’t make him want to cuddle up with her on some overstuffed couch and watch old movies in their fuzzy pajamas. And anger would serve her better navigating through the circus that was his life than her sweet, gentle side would.
“Let your hand dangle. Don’t put it in your pocket. Shade your eyes from the cameras with that hand. We’re in a jewelry store after being caught making out at my home. Joe’s been helping the rumors fly. They’ll be trying to get shots of your left hand anyway so all you have to do is not impede them. They’re pretty good at getting what they want.”
He knew his bitterness was leaking out but he couldn’t help it. Constance’s anger faded a bit, replaced by a soft contemplation he wasn’t sure how to deal with.
The store’s manager escorted them to the door along with two men in security uniforms. “Our security officers will help get you to your vehicle, sir.”
Luca nodded. “Thank you.” Joe usually helped run interference for him when necessary but Luca had underestimated the need for such measures for their little shopping excursion. Oh, he’d known the photogs would be there, definitely, but not crowding so thickly around the doors that they wouldn’t be able to get out. “Ready?”
She took a deep breath and nodded, looping her arm around his waist so she could shelter under his shoulder. The manager opened the door and the first security guard began pushing his way through the crowd. The other would follow behind them, guarding their backs. Luca got a firmer grip on Constance’s waist and led her into the mob.
Her hand fisted in his shirt and she ducked her head, curling against him as much as she could and still walk. She raised her hand to shield her face from the cameras and the blinding flashes going off. The lights shone off her new engagement ring and the air rang with shouted questions.
Luca didn’t know if she was trying to show off the ring as he’d asked or if she was genuinely trying to hide her face from the cameras and had just forgotten her new accessory. Either way, the photographers were getting more than their fair share of pictures. By the end of the day there would probably be photos on every available publication and social media site out there. Mission accomplished. He should be happy; instead, he was pissed.
He opened the passenger door to his car and ushered Constance inside as fast as he could, slamming the door behind her so he could run around to the other side. The second he was in the car he cranked the engine and revved the gas, giving the paparazzi vultures a very brief warning he was about to move. If they chose not to get out of the way that was their fault. Unfortunately, they all moved enough they didn’t get run over and he was able to pull out on the street. Constance looked at him with wide eyes.
“Is it always like that?”
Luca gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached, then forced himself to relax. “No. Not always. Hopefully it’ll die down a bit now that they’ve got some shots of you with the ring. That’ll give them a few juicy details to splash around for a little while. And since we are planning on some photo ops, they might agree to leave us alone for the most part. There are always a few that will follow no matter what, but some of them aren’t too bad and will back off as long as they get an opportunity to get a good shot another time.”
“Yeah, well those few who will follow no matter what are on our tail.”
Luca looked into the rear view mirror and swore. “Hold on.”
…
Constance grabbed the door frame and tried to keep from shrieking as Luca suddenly swerved to the right, taking a corner he’d already nearly passed. The car made it with a squeal of tires and he gunned it.
“Aren’t you going a little fast?” she asked.
“Only way to lose them.”
“Are you nuts? You can’t lose them. This isn’t some car chase movie.”
Luca snorted. “Look behind us, Stanzia. It’s exactly what it is. Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”
She bit back another scream of terror as he zoomed up another narrow street. “Luca, this is insane. Slow down!”
“I’ve done this a million times.”
He cranked the wheel again and she braced herself to keep from being thrown against the car door. “You’re going to get us both killed!”
>
“Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to distract the driver?”
“You’re enjoying this!”
The grin he turned on her blazed with excitement. But there was something else there, behind his eyes. Something she couldn’t name but that seemed inexorably sad. Before she could dwell on it too long, he made another right into one of the few parking lots on the island, zooming down one of the aisles until he came to an empty spot. He swerved in and cut the engine.
Seconds later, the three paparazzo on scooters whizzed by the lot, not even pausing.
“There,” Luca said with a smile. “Lost them.”
Constance straightened from where she’d been cringing against the door and slapped his arm. “The next time you want to risk your life driving a hundred miles an hour through town, you let me out of the car first! What the hell were you thinking?”
His eyebrow rose at that, but his smile just grew broader. “I was thinking I’d give the bastards the slip. And I did. How about a little gratitude?”
“Gratitude? Are you kidding? We could have been killed. I’ve got kids! If you want to throw your life away, be my guest, but my life is spoken for. My girls have been through enough without losing another parent, thank you very much.”
Luca waved her off. “You’re being dramatic.”
“No, I’m not.” She yanked on her seat belt to get it off her neck.
“It’s no big deal, Constance. They were chasing us. Now they’re not. End of story.”
She opened her mouth to object again. Her heart still pounded so hard she was probably going to have internal bruising and if she didn’t catch her breath soon she was going to hyperventilate. She focused on drawing a few deep breaths in and out of her lungs.
A man, presumably the owner or person who worked at the lot, ran toward them, his face a mottled purple as he chewed them out in rapid Greek. Luca rolled down his window, apologized, and slapped a large wad of euros in the man’s hand. He rolled the window back up while the man was still smiling and inviting him to stay longer.
Constance still hadn’t regained full control of herself but Luca completely ignored her borderline panic attack and moved on. “I was going to take you home to grab whatever you’ll need for the next few weeks, but we need to get back. I think Joe has something planned with the kids this afternoon.”
“I don’t live too far from here. It wouldn’t take long to swing by.”
She told him the address and he checked his watch. “All right, but we’ll need to hurry. Joe will get his panties in a bunch if we ruin his plans.”
“What about the girls’ things?”
“We can deal with moving them over tomorrow. I think the first night we should be on our own. Get that woman who helps you to watch them. They’ll survive without you for one night.”
Constance shook her head, the whole situation beginning to feel like a giant wave that was getting ready to slam into her and drag her under. How did she go from a quiet House Mother to being chased by the paparazzi? Somehow it didn’t seem possible that it had just been yesterday that she’d collected the girls to go for a walk that had led her into this man’s yard. And arms. And bed if he had his way.
Oh, she hadn’t forgotten that little nugget of sheer insanity, and now she had a massive rock on her finger that weighed her down, dragging her under the wave of emotions it was getting harder to contain.
“Before that happens, we need to discuss—”
“There’s nothing left to discuss,” he said, impatiently, restarting the car and easing out of the parking lot.
“You don’t know even know what I’m going to say.”
“I know exactly what you’re going to say. You had no idea it was going to be like this. It’s too much. You don’t think you can deal with it all. It’s not worth it.” His hands gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white, but he kept his gaze firmly on the road. “Save it. I’ve heard it before. My charming personality isn’t the only reason I’m single. You, however, have signed an ironclad contract. I held up my end. You are still in your director’s good graces. Your turn to hold up your end.”
Constance bit her lip. Oh, he’d definitely heard it all before. His tone was so bitter she had no doubt whoever had said it had hurt him badly, perhaps several someones. It couldn’t be an easy life to live. Despite his domineering manner and the terrifying encounter they’d just had, along with the promise of future daily torments, Constance didn’t want to be the next person to give him the same speech. Even if she’d been ready to do just that.
She sat straighter in her seat, mentally re-gathering her wits. “That’s not what I was going to say,” she said quietly.
“No?” he asked with a mild scowl, obviously not believing the lie.
Fine. He didn’t have to believe it. It didn’t matter anyhow. “No,” she repeated. “I was, however, going to say that if this is what your life is always like, I’m not sure I can condone the children’s participation in all this.”
Luca’s frown deepened. “The children were Joe’s idea. I don’t necessarily disagree with you. I certainly wouldn’t want my own children subjected to this shit day in and day out. Which is why I’m never going to have any. But in this instance at least, I can assure you they’ll be fine. Joe has arranged for some private excursions somewhere and has invited specific photographers. Not those paparazzi vultures that follow me around. We’ll have enough security there no one will get near them. The photographers will only be there for a few minutes for some shots of us. We’ll keep the kids out of sight. They won’t be swarmed, and they’ll be safer on my estate than in your house at the moment. It won’t be hard for the press to find out where you live. At least at my place the gates will keep them out.”
Constance hesitated. Part of her wanted to delve into what he’d said. Deciding not to have children because you didn’t want them stalked by photographers was a special kind of depressing. She could understand to a degree. For someone like her who craved security and organization, the chaos and constant danger created by always being hounded would drive her insane. At the same time, how unutterably sad that the fame that made this man so sought after was also what might keep him alone for the rest of his life. However, the larger, more cautious part of her knew he wouldn’t welcome her commentary on the matter. So, for the moment anyway, she’d keep her mouth shut and focus on the children in her care.
“I guess that makes sense… I suppose if you can guarantee their safety…”
“I’ve already said I can.”
She nodded and let the matter drop. They pulled to a stop in front of her modest home and Luca jumped out. Constance opened her door before he could but he took her hand and helped her out, his eyes briefly scanning the bushes across the street from her house.
She looked over her shoulder, dismay filling her. “You think they’re here, too?”
“Probably,” he muttered. “Let’s get inside.”
She didn’t waste any more time asking questions but unlocked her door and got inside as quickly as she could.
As soon as stepped over the threshold, she let out a little sigh of relief. The cool interior of the whitewashed walls welcomed her home. She didn’t have much furniture. Everything she had served a purpose. With six children under the roof, some clutter was inevitable. But she did what she could to minimize it. Thankfully, the girls weren’t home at the moment. Mrs. Ballas probably had them down at the market getting supplies for the week.
Constance glanced at Luca, watched as he walked around the open living room that led into her undersized kitchen. Her home must seem ridiculously small to him, but she loved it. Everything about it, from the deep, overstuffed sofa to the short bookcases lining the wall under the large windows was inviting and comfortable. Decorated in shades of blue, yellow, and white, her home was bright and cheerful and her heart soared with happiness every time she stepped through the doors.
The room seemed much smaller with Luca standing in it, bu
t even he wasn’t immune to its charms, it seemed. Some of the tension had loosened up his shoulders as he roamed around. She’d fully expected him to turn his pampered nose up at her humble home, but she didn’t see any condescension in him when he turned back to her.
“It’s charming,” he said.
She laughed at his tone. “You sound surprised.”
He shrugged. “Not sure what I expected. Some nightmare hive of filing cabinets and clipboards maybe.”
She rolled her eyes at him and nodded toward several suitcases sitting by the door. The girls had been so excited at their upcoming “vacation” it had taken hours to get them to sleep. They’d each packed a bag, but she’d have to have Mrs. Ballas make sure they had what they needed. Constance hadn’t been able to sleep at all the night before so she’d put her time to good use, packing everything she’d need for the long six weeks ahead.
“You can take those out to the car. I have to grab a few more things.”
His eyebrows rose and she had to turn away so he wouldn’t see her smile. She supposed it wasn’t every day that the illustrious Luca Vasilakis played bellhop. It filled her with a surprising amount of pleasure to be the one to give him orders.
She went into her bedroom and grabbed her small overnight bag, dumping her jewelry box into it. Thankfully Mrs. Ballas had her own cottage next door or they’d have had to share the room. Constance wouldn’t mind having the older woman live with her, but it did give them a bit more space without her there. And as Mrs. Ballas was technically a sort of housekeeper/nanny, having her own space gave her somewhere to hide when she needed a break.