Chapter Eighteen
The shrill ring of the doorbell startled Kate. Who was at her door at this hour of the evening? Nervous, she looked through the peephole and saw Alex and gasped with surprise. Her hand shook as she opened the door.
"Alex. What are you doing here?"
In his dark grey suit and pristine white shirt, she was suddenly far too aware this was Alexandros Korda, the wealthy, powerful businessman. He carried an odd shaped parcel wrapped in white and silver paper.
"May I come in?" His grave expression set her heart thundering.
"Of course." Kate stood back let him enter.
Alex went to the table, carefully putting the parcel down and turned to her, catching her hands and lifting them to his lips. "Please forgive me, Catriona."
Looking into his grey eyes, she saw his sincerity. But remembered hurt had her pulling her hands free. "Why have you come home early?"
Alex glanced at his watch. "It's a flying visit. I have an hour before as I need to leave. I have to be in Sydney in the morning for a crucial meeting."
"An hour." Kate stared from him to the parcel. "Why on earth?"
"I came to bring you this. And I needed to see you. In person." He indicated the parcel. "Open it, Catriona."
Kate's mind was whirling as she removed the paper. Alex had interrupted his meetings to fly home to bring her this? She frowned at the small plant in its terra cotta pot.
"What is it?" She touched a long silvery grey leaf of the small tree.
"A Calamata olive."
"An olive tree?" Bewildered, she sank into one of the dining chairs.
"Yes." He pulled out the chair beside her and sat down.
"Why?" Talk about bringing an olive branch in style.
"It's a peace offering and a gesture of good will. The olive is a powerful symbol of both." He smiled, even white teeth contrasting with his tan. He caught her hand holding it firmly. "Gregori told me. You are still legally my wife, Catriona."
Kate pulled away, fiddling with the discarded wrapping paper, embarrassed. "I didn't realize."
"Given the circumstances that's not surprising." Alex raked a hand through his hair, and one glance at him and she knew he was angry. With her or himself?
"Why didn't you divorce me?"
"You are the mother of my child. And as I literally held a gun at your head to make you marry me, how could I live with myself had I taken advantage of your disappearance to do so?" He caught her hand and held it tightly. "When you threw your ring into the sea—"
Kate flushed at the memory. She'd pulled the ring from her finger and hurled it into the sea in a futile act of defiance, soon after Alex had pushed it onto her unwilling finger. "I never bought you another one, to punish you for such a senseless act of vandalism."
She nodded in understanding. The ring had been an expensive one, the wide gold band encrusted with precious jewels. And without the outward symbol of marriage, she'd though the whole charade a sham. Kate eyed him warily.
"I have no intention of forcing you to live with me," he murmured reassuringly. "Eight years ago I forced you into marriage and a pregnancy you weren't mature enough to cope with. Now it's for you to decide where you want our relationship to go."
Kate swallowed hard as relief warred with disappointment.
"When I return, we will tell Sarah who you are. If you decide you don't want to live with us, I'll arrange a discreet divorce to protect your privacy and make access arrangements for you with Sarah."
"But—" she broke off chewing on her lower lip her mind whirling with the implications.
"But what?" he asked watching her intently.
"If I decide against living with you where will I go?" It would be impossible for them both to remain living here, in this village in such close proximity.
"I'll leave," he said grimly. "I'm sure you can resell The Birches."
Kate winced. How can I ask that of him?
He caught both her hands shaking them gently. "Let's cross that bridge when we get there, Kate."
That was easy enough for him to say but already she could feel the pressure on her building. She frowned at him. "What's with this bodyguard racket? Your goon scared me nearly to death the other evening."
Alex grinned shaking his head. "Reuben Cade's still smarting over you setting him on his keister."
"Tough."
"You've learned street smarts. I like that. But that aside Kate, I've arranged for a woman to be your bodyguard." She bristled but the angry words died on her lips when she saw his serious expression. "No woman is safe against armed thugs. Your name is being linked with mine, and that means you too are now at risk."
Kate swallowed hard. She'd never once considered how the rumours and gossip would impact on her. Now Alex was forcing her to face yet another issue brought about by his relentless pursuit of her.
"Are you okay with this?"
"Far from it." She looked at him through her eyelashes and shrugged. "But what can I do about it."
"I will rest easier knowing you have protection." He took a step closer and cupped her face between his hands bending his dark head to kiss her, softly and tenderly. "Take care, yataki mou."
And he was gone as swiftly as he had arrived.
Kate went to the window, her fingers touching her lips, watching as he stepped into the back seat of a black car. Long after he was gone, she stared at the spot, lips curved in a reminiscent smile. On Maude Island when she had fought Alex so bitterly he had called her that. My little kitten. When she had questioned his use of the word he had grinned unrepentantly.
Greek cats are like you, slender, predatory and with slanting eyes and feline cunning. They have vicious claws and aren't afraid to use them on their unsuspecting prey. Don't sharpen your claws on me, yataki mou.
Her smile faded. Alex had gone, leaving the decision on their future to her. Did she want to live with him as his wife?
She loved him but did he love her? As a husband should love his wife? Or did he want her to live with him to restore his honour and assuage his guilt? She looked at his gift, wondering afresh just why Alex had flown home to bring her this unprepossessing little tree.
The next morning, Kate answered the door to find a man and a woman on her doorstep together with Gregori. He introduced the pair. "Kate, this is Reuben Cade and Doris."
Heat ran up her neck as she recognized the man from the beach. He held out a tanned hand and an official ID wallet, grinning. "I've warned Doris you're one feisty broad. This is what I intended to show you the other night, Ms. Audley."
"I'm sorry about the other night." She took the wallet and studied the ID. Yep. Same pale blue eyes, rugged features and build. "You were at the zoo?"
"I was. And don't be sorry. It's good to know you can protect yourself if necessary." He took his wallet and slipped it in his pocket.
Kate turned to the woman with a grimace. "Is this really necessary?"
"Afraid so." Doris picked up the duffel bag off the porch and slung it over her broad shoulder. "Somehow the press have got wind of your existence and until the boss returns on Friday, I'm your shadow."
"We need to come in, Kate," Gregori said quietly. "Rueben is going to check the security of your cottage."
Resigned, she stepped aside and allowed them to enter.
Half an hour later, Reuben gave her the all clear. "I'll send a techie team here and we'll install outside surveillance cameras and a perimeter wire." He handed her a small electronic keypad. "Carry this at all times. If you're frightened or approached by a stranger press that button and Doris will be with you in moments."
After the men left, Kate eyed the woman who was now her shadow. About five seven, she was dark, lithe and capable. And not someone she'd care to tangle with.
"Don't mind me," Doris said with a grin. "You won't even know I'm here."
Kate doubted that, but the other woman was almost true to her word and they soon settled into a routine. Unable to concentrate on anything other t
han Alex's ultimatum and knowing she could never continue working with a body guard shadowing her; Kate asked Dave for indefinite leave.
She was no nearer working out the reason behind Alex's visit or his oddball gift when Paula called around for morning tea a week later.
Doris checked Paula's ID before she allowed her to enter, and then left the room while Kate entertained her visitor.
"What gives?" Paula asked when they were alone.
"Alex insists I need a body guard," she admitted with a grimace. She could see Paula's curiosity and spread her hands helplessly. "Don't ask."
Paula saw the small tree in its pot on the table and didn't recognize it either, so Kate told her.
"Let me get this right?" Paula raised her eyebrows in disbelief. "Alex returned from Australia to give you this?"
Kate nodded.
"The man's a millionaire, right?"
"Billionaire." Kate grinned, wondering what Paula was getting at.
"And he gives you a twenty dollar tree?"
"Money isn't the issue."
"The man's mad. He should be bribing you with gold and jewels to do his bidding."
Kate stood up gripping the table edge, disgusted scorn dripping from her words. "Alex would never stoop to bribery. And I would never accept a bribe."
Paula watched her, amused as Kate subsided, trembling from the force of her outrage at the very suggestion. Then the impact of Alex's words hit her. And the last veil ripped from Kate's mind. She touched the little tree with a trembling finger.
Alex hadn't bribed her.
Without fuss or fanfare, he'd shifted his business empire and brought her child to her, buying and restoring the house she loved. The monetary cost of ensuring she wasn't uprooted from her friends, or the small village where she'd made her home, was enormous.
And he ensured she knew this by telling Dave.
And she still hadn't understood or recognized the enormity of the compromises and sacrifices Alexandros Korda had made for her. He hadn't pressured her, but quietly demonstrated the depth of his sincerity and commitment by his actions. His offer of a divorce that would protect her identity was proof there were no strings attached.
She was free to choose her own future.
And she didn't need to be told that Alex would never go back on his word.
Kate stared at the little tree he'd brought her, fiddling with a silver leaf. She looked up at her friend and took a deep breath. "Alex and I are still legally married."
Paula stared at her, her mouth opening and closing but no sound emerged. Kate watched her, amused. It was almost worth dropping that bombshell. Paula rendered speechless was a sight to behold.
"Whaaat?" Paula finally found her voice, staring at Kate her eyes wide with incredulous disbelief. "You're married to Alexandros Korda?"
Kate nodded her smile tremulous. "Only Gregori, Alex and now you, know this. That's why he returned the other night. He wants us to tell Sarah I'm her mother. And he's asked me to resume our marriage and shift into The Birches and live together as a family."
Paula threw back her head and laughed until the tears ran down her face. Her pregnant belly wobbled like jelly. "Kate you are priceless. Are you going to accept?"
Kate paused, nibbling on her lower lip. "I'm thinking about it."
Since he'd given her the ultimatum she'd thought about little else. Suddenly, Paula grew serious. "And if you decide you don't want to do that, then what?"
And that was the sixty four thousand dollar question. What would Alex do if she declined? "He has offered me a discreet divorce."
"And you'll both live in this little goldfish pond unhappily ever after?"
And that was the nub of it. Alex had said he'd sell The Birches but how could she ask that of him? "He wants is my answer when he returns from Australia on Friday."
"Just make sure you know what you're one hundred per cent comfortable with your decision."
Paula's grim words haunted Kate.
How could anyone be that certain of any decision?
Chapter Nineteen
After pacing her lounge for the umpteenth time, Kate finally admitted Alex wasn't coming. She could no longer delude herself that there had been a holdup at customs or in the traffic.
After all her careful preparation, it was a let-down.
Doris was somewhere outside, keeping vigil from a security van, giving Kate privacy.
And she had so much privacy she was sick with it. Enraged, she tore off the red silk dress. She'd bought it especially for Alex's homecoming and now she hurled it in the comer.
Angry and disappointed, she stripped and stood under a hot shower. She needed to see Alex, anxious to give him her decision. And he'd never bothered to show up.
Why hadn't he come as he'd promised?
Her hair fell in wet wisps around her face as she stepped out and wrapped a bath sheet sarong wise under her armpits.
What she needed was a good stiff drink.
She padded barefoot to the sideboard, splashing a generous measure of Glenfiddich malt into a crystal glass. She'd bought it especially for him as she knew he preferred it, and that added to her discontent. She took a huge swallow. The whisky burnt all the way down her gullet and settled as a ball of fire in her gut.
"Aaaarrrgh." She dropped the glass and clutched at her throat, spluttering for breath.
"Good whisky is meant to be savoured."
The dry, whimsical observation brought her spinning around. Alex stood just inside the door, tired and travel stained, an impossible grin creasing his lean features.
"Alex." Their eyes clashed and clung.
He dropped his suitcase and opened his arms wide. With an incoherent cry, Kate ran across the floor, and was crushed against him. He tipped her chin, grey eyes, soft with love and longing, scanned her upturned face.
Kate read their silent message.
Alex loved her but would never pressure her with his love.
"Missed me?" One thumb feathered across her lower lip.
Kate nodded, swallowing convulsively, the thundering pulse at the base of her throat betraying her nervousness.
"Tell me," he asked and she knew he needed to hear the words.
"I've missed you," she admitted in a breathy whisper.
"And I've missed you, sweetheart." His breath whispered across her mouth and he kissed her softly, took her bottom lip gently in his teeth, slipping his tongue along the sensitive skin just inside.
Kate flamed at the tender endearment.
The coil of loneliness and anxiety she'd carried inside her for so long dissolved. Alex did care.
With a regretful murmur he pushed her slightly away, a wry smile touching his lips. "I need a shower and a drink then maybe I'll feel human again."
He released her, stretching to remove the kinks from the long flight, before sitting down in one of her comfortable chairs, closing his eyes on a tired sigh.
"A bad trip?" Kate poured a generous measure of whisky, taking it to him.
"The plane turned back half an hour out of Sydney." He took a sip of whisky, sighing with pleasure. "A bad end to a gruelling day of negotiations."
"What happened?' Kate lifted a hand to her throat.
"An electrical fault. We were eventually transferred to another plane." His eyes roved over her very revealing outfit, a devilish smile lurking in his eyes. "Nothing as dangerous as that towel."
Kate blushed and fled, pulling on a terry robe. When she returned he was leaning back in the chair, eyes closed. "Are you hungry?"
He shook his head. He finished the whisky then stood up. "Do you mind if I have a shower?"
"No." Unruly heat flooded her cheeks.
He went across and picked up his case, pausing as he moved past her. "Do you want me to stay with you?"
Kate nodded shyly. He steered her into her bedroom, flicking out the lights. "Why don't you wait for me in bed?"
Kate pulled on her nightgown and slipped into bed. Alex came out of her bathroo
m, freshly shaved and wearing only a towel. His eyes twinkled as he slid in beside her, drawing her close. He held her a moment, then pushed her away, lifting her chin with a hand that trembled, betraying the effort his self-control cost him.
"Are you sure this is what you want, Catriona?" he asked huskily, staring deep into her eyes as if he would read what was imprinted on her soul. "I don't want you to wake up regretting this tomorrow."
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