His cousin paled. Who would have guessed that Karmela would turn out to be Frato’s Achilles’ heel?
Kellie shook her head. “She needs to be let go, Frato. If you lose her because of it, then it will prove she was never really yours to lose. Don’t you see this is the only way, for the good of the company and our personal lives? How could anyone hope to function with all that subterfuge going on?”
Perspiration broke out on his forehead. “She’ll turn her family against ours and everyone will blame me.”
Leandros’s jaw hardened. “That will be nothing compared to the fact that she’s already created enough trouble between Kellie and me to bring us to the brink of divorce!”
“But they’re your in-laws! Out of respect for Petra, how can you do that?”
With that remark, Leandros realized his cousin wasn’t capable of viewing the situation rationally right now. Maybe never.
“How can I not? You’ve missed the point, Frato. I have no doubt her parents have been worried about Karmela for years. When this gets out, it’s possible they’ll be able to find her the help she needs. While they’re doing that, you can move on. Don’t forget I’m on vacation until further notice and need you to run the company.”
Frato reached for his jacket and headed for the door. “I’ve got to get back to Athens, where I can think.”
“It’s your life. But if you’re tempted to tell Karmela anything before we meet tomorrow, at nine in the morning, then word could get back to the board through her. You’ll be lucky if they only give you a forced leave of absence from the company until you come to your senses.”
His cousin wasn’t listening. No sooner had he disappeared than Leandros’s cell phone rang. It was his mother, who explained she’d just returned from town, and saw the helicopter. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“Frato and I were having a meeting, but he’s leaving now.”
“Then come up for dinner.”
“I can’t tonight, Mana.”
“Leandros...your papa and I hardly see you these days.”
“I know, but I’ll make it up to you.” He wanted Kellie with him when they told his parents about the twins, but they needed to have another session of therapy before he felt they could inform his family of what was happening. “Right now I’m in the middle of delicate negotiations and don’t have the time.” It was the truth.
“I’ve been concerned about you. The last time I saw you, you looked too thin. Since Kellie left, you haven’t been taking good enough care of yourself.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll call you very soon, I promise.”
He rang off and went in search of his wife, who’d gone into the kitchen. When he found her, she was eating a peach. He’d like to eat one of those and then start on her, but that was an activity he had to put on hold for the time being.
“How’s your mother?”
“Being motherish.”
Kellie flashed him a sad smile. “My aunt gets like that, too.”
“Let’s drive somewhere along the coast for dinner. I’m starving, as well.”
“That sounds good. I’ll grab my purse.”
As they walked out the front door, the helicopter flew overhead, taking Frato back to Athens. Leandros was thankful he’d gone.
Once they got in the car and were on the road, she turned to him. “Do you think he’ll tell Karmela?”
Leandros slanted her a veiled glance. “There was a time when I thought I knew my cousin, but no longer. It’s anyone’s guess what we’ll find when we arrive at the office tomorrow.”
She glanced at the shimmering blue water. “I’ve always liked Frato. It’s so sad that he’s been enamored of someone who never loved him. My heart aches for him.”
“It’s possible this intervention will shake the scales from his eyes. I care deeply for my cousin and would like to see him work this out with as few repercussions as possible.”
“Do you know one of your great traits is your charitable attitude about people, even under the worst of circumstances?” Her comment warmed him.
They drove in silence another five miles to a fishing village before she spoke her mind. “I—I wish you’d told me it was Frato’s idea to bring her into the office....” Kellie’s voice faltered. “Why didn’t you tell me she walked in on you two nights ago?”
“I could have, but I was waiting to hear what Frato had to say first before I laid every card on the table.” Leandros flicked her a glance. “For that matter, I wish you’d told me what he’d said the night of our wedding. As we’ve both found out, my cousin knows how to wear you down until you end up doing what he wants.”
“I—I never wanted to believe you were interested in Karmela,” she admitted.
“The idea was so ludicrous, I couldn’t understand your suspicions. I was blind in the beginning, because I was so in love with you. But between Fran’s and Frato’s observations, it’s no wonder the bloom was off our wedding night. Frato can be a valuable asset to the company when he’s out doing business. But in our case, he’s helped the enemy within.”
“I remember that quote from Marcus Cicero. ‘A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it can’t survive treason from within.’”
“Exactly. Years ago my father made me memorize it when I started working for the company.”
“How does the rest of it go? I’m positive you know it.”
He flashed her a smile, because for a few minutes it felt as if they were really communicating again. “‘An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely. He speaks in accents familiar to his victims, but works secretly in the night to undermine the pillars of the city.’”
After he’d spoken, Leandros felt the shudder that ran through her body even though they weren’t touching. “He could have been describing what’s happened to us,” she murmured
“When you think about it, those words could apply to your former boss, too. Once you told him you were getting married, he couldn’t leave it alone and planted doubts in your mind, all in the name of wanting to keep you for himself.”
“He never had me.” Kellie rested her forehead in her hand. “His assumptions were so hurtful and angered me so much, you’ll never know. But looking back, I realize I did worse. In my zeal to protect Fran from getting hurt after her painful divorce, I made a lot of assumptions about Nik that weren’t the truth. You have no idea how ashamed I am. He must think I’m horrible.” Tears ran down her cheeks.
Leandros pulled into the parking area of one of their favorite seaside restaurants. To his sorrow they hadn’t been here for at least six months. He shut off the engine and turned to her. “You’re wrong, Kellie.” He wiped the moisture from her cheeks with his thumb. “Nik wasn’t as completely open as he should have been with Fran about the real reasons he’d never married, thus arousing your suspicions. He regrets that.”
She looked away from him. “You’re just being diplomatic, but that’s another thing about you I admire. I happen to know my aspersions about him hurt you. The breakdown of our marriage turned me into someone I didn’t like.”
“I didn’t like myself, either, Kellie. By the end, I was jealous of their ability to get past their fertility issues. With us, it was the other way around. The more we tried to get pregnant, the more we got bogged down in our insecurities and became alienated. My frustration over not being the man you thought you were marrying turned into anger. You weren’t the only one who threw up a wall between us.”
“Leandros...” she said, sounding distressed. “If you don’t mind, let’s go inside. One thing I’m noticing about this pregnancy. I have to eat on time or I get famished.”
He kissed the tip of her nose before getting out of the car to help her. He was famished, too, for her. But for the moment he had to be satisfied with this amount of detente, including the compliments she’d been paying him. Before she’d shown up in his
office two days ago, he couldn’t have imagined this much progress. Unfortunately, when they faced Karmela in the morning, there could be a setback that might undermine any progress they’d made.
* * *
At ten to nine the next morning, Kellie got out of the helicopter with Leandros’s help and rode the elevator down to his office suite with him. She hadn’t slept well during the night and had gotten up early to shower and wash her hair. After blow drying it so it fell in natural curls around her shoulders, she’d gone into the kitchen to take her pills and fix breakfast for the two of them.
After the fabulous seafood dinner with him the night before, she couldn’t believe she was hungry again. Eating for three was no joke, but at this rate she’d have to start watching her weight. Already her clothes were fitting tighter. Pretty soon she’d need maternity outfits.
In order to feel comfortable, she’d put on a cream-colored blouse with a khaki skirt that tied loosely around the waist. On her feet she wore bone-colored leather sandals. The doctor had warned her high heels weren’t a good idea.
The way Leandros’s eyes lingered on her while they ate on the terrace raised her temperature. His appeal was so potent, she was in danger of forgetting her own rule to keep her distance with him. But knowing they’d been through only one session of therapy, not to mention that they’d be confronting Karmela in a few hours, Kellie made certain she didn’t succumb to him out of weakness. Instead, she got up and did the dishes before announcing she was ready to go.
No one was in Leandros’s office when they entered on the dot of nine. She really hadn’t thought Frato would be here, and was sure Leandros hadn’t counted on it, either.
“Leandros? I’d rather wait outside the door with Christos while you speak to Karmela. I don’t want her to feel like she’s being attacked.”
He caressed her cheek. “You’re an amazingly kind person, Kellie. Tell you what. I’ll record everything that goes on so you’ll know exactly what was said. No more secrets, remember?”
She nodded and sat down next to his bodyguard to wait. Before Leandros disappeared into his office, she noticed how fabulous he looked in a tan suit and tie that accidentally matched her outfit. He was the picture of the successful CEO in charge of his domain.
There were times, like now, when she wondered how she’d been the one to catch his eye after Petra died. No woman was immune to him. Kellie’s heart rate sped up as she imagined what was about to happen.
* * *
Leandros closed the door and went around his desk to buzz Mrs. Kostas. “Would you please send in Karmela?”
“Mr. Petralia! I thought you’d gone on vacation.”
He smiled to himself. “I thought so, too. Where’s Frato?”
“I haven’t seen him yet. I’ll send Karmela right in.”
“Thank you.” Leandros sat back in the swivel chair. “Good morning, Karmela,” he said as she opened the door. “Come all the way in and sit down.”
Karmela walked straight up to him. “Frato told me about your conversation at the villa yesterday. I understand you want my resignation. But let me give you warning. So far he thinks he’s the father of my baby. I’ll go on letting him believe it as long as I can keep my job. If I can’t, then we’ll see how well you handle public opinion when news leaks to the press that you’re the daddy.”
What more proof did anyone need to know she was ill?
“If you’re putting on this performance for me, it isn’t necessary, Karmela. I have no idea if you’re pregnant or not, but a pregnancy test demanded by a court order can clear that up in a matter of minutes. If you’re pregnant, it couldn’t possibly be my baby. A DNA test will provide the evidence, but surely you don’t want to put Frato through that.”
Leandros had seen that catlike smile on her face before. “Frato’s more gullible than you. Why do you think the company made you CEO at your age? I’ll tell him you and I were lovers during the times Petra was away on business. My family’s yacht provided the perfect place away from everyone.
“Before you went to Rhodes on your new project, we got together. That was the time I conceived our baby. Three nights ago we were in this office alone for hours. All he has to do is check with Christos to believe me.”
Leandros got to his feet. “I feel sorry for you and Frato. You need help to get over this obsession. It’s tragic you’ve dragged my cousin into it. There’s no more job for you here. If you’d like, I’ll have your belongings sent to your parents’ home.”
When she made no move to leave, he paged Christos and asked him to come in.
“You wanted me?”
“Yes. Please follow Ms. Paulos to her desk so she can get her purse. Then escort her out of the building and put her in a taxi.”
Her cat’s eyes glimmered. She glared at Leandros. “You have no idea what you’ve done.”
“On the contrary. It’s the best decision for everyone concerned. Goodbye, Karmela.”
As if nothing was wrong, she strode to the door and walked out, with Christos trailing her. The minute they left, Leandros rushed out into the hall to get Kellie and lead her inside.
She eyed him as he spoke to Mrs. Kostas over the phone. “I’m officially on vacation, but I’ll be staying in Athens at the Cassandra. If you can’t reach Frato, feel free to call me. Karmela will no longer be working for us. See that her final paycheck goes to her parents’ home on Andros Island. I’ll be out of the office for the rest of the day.”
“Yes, sir.”
He shut off the speakerphone. “Before we leave, I’ll play the recording so you’ll know exactly what was said.”
Kellie sat down to listen. When it ended, she looked up at him. “I don’t believe for a moment she’s pregnant with your baby, or even pregnant. She’s like a defiant little girl. What a shame.”
“I agree. All I can say is, thank heaven this is over.” Leandros called for his car to be brought around the side of the building, his eyes blazing a hot silvery gray as they pierced Kellie’s. “Let’s get out of here. I want to take us for a drive around the residential neighborhoods in Athens. Maybe we’ll see the house you’d hoped I would buy for your wedding present.”
“Leandros...” Her voice shook. “After this scene with Karmela, how can you even think about anything else?”
“Very easily. Whatever she chooses to do or not do, we’re through with her.”
“I’d like to go back to the hotel.”
His eyes scrutinized her. “I thought this confrontation meant we’d put Karmela to rest forever.”
She shook her head. “I’m still reacting to what she said. Don’t you understand? Even though it’s not true, she has threatened to go to the media.”
His mouth thinned to a white line. “Even? That means you’re still not sure about me.”
“Of course I am, but after her threat, I can’t concentrate on anything else right now.”
Leandros ushered Kellie inside the elevator and pushed the button. “If you can’t, I can. With the twins coming, I want to get settled in the right place to raise them. If you’ve made up your mind to leave me no matter what, I still have to provide for them, and don’t want them living in a hotel when it’s my turn for visitation.”
“I didn’t say that!” She felt ill, especially after he’d done everything in his power to deal with Karmela and Frato since they’d left Mrs. Lasko’s house. “Please give me some time, Leandros. Don’t you realize how worried I am about the damage she could do to you?”
“That’s not what’s bothering you. A part of you is still worried about Karmela,” he said in a wintry tone.
Silence reigned during their swift descent to the ground floor. He’d turned into his forbidding self, the side of him she’d seen toward the end of their marriage. It made it impossible for her to reach him. They walked to the car and he helped her in. When they drove out to the street, he said, “I’ll drop you off at the hotel.”
“No, Leandros. I’ve changed my mind and want t
o come with you.”
“Why, since you won’t be living with me? I’m going to use the rest of the day to look at houses with a Realtor. It could get too tiring for you. I may not find what I’m looking for today or tomorrow, but I can begin my search. If nothing suits, I’ll buy a piece of property and hire an architect.”
The Cassandra wasn’t that far from his office. He pulled up in front and got out to help her inside the front doors, where people were coming and going. “I’ll see you later.” A nerve throbbed at the corner of his hard mouth. “Promise you’ll call me if there’s any kind of emergency.”
“Leandros...”
“You may be carrying our children, but don’t forget I helped put them there, and love them as much as you do.”
Fighting tears, she grabbed his arm. “As if I could forget.”
But he wasn’t listening. “You already have a home picked out in Philadelphia. I need to find one for our children when they’re with me.”
I know.
His eyes were mere slits as he helped her to the elevator in the hall. He pinned her with an undecipherable glance before wheeling away. There was no extra squeeze or caress on the cheek. Why would there be when she was still behaving like the woman who’d insisted on leaving him?
Once he’d driven off, Kellie went up to their suite with a heart so heavy she wanted to die. Without hesitation she ran to her room and pulled the phone out of her purse to call Fran. It rang four times. Please pick up.
“Kellie? I’ve been hoping you’d call soon.”
“Thank goodness you’re there!”
“Hey...you sound frantic.”
“I am. Nothing changes, does it?”
“Yes, it does. You’re pregnant with twins! That makes three miracles for us.”
Tears filled Kellie’s eyes. “I know, but I’m still the same mess I’ve been for months. Can you talk?”
“Yes. My little miracle from out of the blue is in her swing, listening to the songs. I won’t be feeding her for another half hour. Now’s the time to tell me what’s going on. You left me hanging yesterday. That wasn’t fair.”
Along Came Twins... Page 8