by Caro LaFever
“I’m asking for a day.” She pulled out the skills she’d used for years to try and keep her stepfather in control. “A lot has happened in the last twenty-four hours. Is it too much to ask for a bit of time?”
“Don’t wheedle or attempt to manipulate me. It won’t work.” His eyes went flat. “Not now. I’m immune.”
The words hurt, much as he’d intended. She’d never wheedled or manipulated anyone, she wanted to yell. She’d loved. She’d cared. She’d sacrificed. Still, none of the protests slipped from her lips because she knew they would make no difference.
“The test is a simple swab of their mouth,” he said. “We’re not talking major surgery.”
“The boys—”
“This isn’t about the boys.” His gaze bore into hers. “This is about stalling.”
“I’m not—”
“You are. And I won’t have it.”
His arrogance fired her tired temper, snapping apart her attempt to find some common ground. “Forget it. I’m not going to try and reason with you anymore.”
“Good.” He took two paces down the hall before returning, closer this time, more threatening. “There’s no whining, no weeping, no wheedling that’s going to deter me from this.”
“I can demand a legal summons.”
“You can.” Leaning closer, invading her personal space, his heat swept around her like a swath of danger. “And you’ll get it.”
“That’s what I want.” She stepped back, trying to get away from him and his heat.
“But you’ll lose far more than you gain, kardiá mou.” Threat no longer merely edged his words, they were filled with it. “I will make sure of it.”
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Also by Caro LaFever
The Italians
Mistress By Blackmail
Wife By Force
Baby By Accident
The Greeks
A Perfect Man
A Perfect Wife
A Perfect Love
The Scots
Lion of Caledonia coming March 2016!
Lord of the Isles coming April 2016!
Laird of the Highlands coming May 2016!
Nonfiction
The Complete Guide to Heroes and Heroines
About the Author
Double finalist and winner of the Golden Heart, one of Romance Writer's of America's highest awards, Caro LaFever writes timeless romantic tales as well as nonfiction advice for writers. Her book, Heroes & Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes, has been a go-to resource for writers for more than a decade. Her romantic novels have won or been a finalist in such prestigious contests as the Golden Pen, the Orange Rose, and the Emily. She lives in the Rocky Mtns.
@caro_lafever
CaroLaFever
www.carolafever.com
[email protected]
Acknowledgments
I appreciate every bit of advice and commentary that I've received from numerous critique group buddies, workshops, classes, and beta readers. After years of honing my craft, I still find new and important nuggets of wisdom every time I put my writing out there for review.
Thanks to my developmental editor, Allie Burton, who is truly my conscience and calls me on my idiot imaginings. Thanks to Sue Viders, who always catches when a character has moved across the room, but I haven't mentioned it. And thanks to Tanya Saari, my proofreader, who diligently goes with me into the correct way to spell numerous foreign foods and phrases.
Finally, thanks to my family, who taught me to love books and appreciate a story well-told.
Copyright © 2016 by Caro LaFever
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Book cover: Kim Killion
Interior design: Caro LaFever
ISBN: 978-1-945007-04-0
Contents
A mogul intent on only success. A curious reporter searching for the real story. A journey back to a homeland rejected years ago.
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Epigraph
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Epilogue
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Thank you!
Excerpt from A Perfect Love
Also by Caro LaFever
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Copyright