by Aleka Nakis
“She needs you here with her. Sammy needs you with her. Look at her! Think of what is in her head, her heart. She needs someone she can trust to come out of it.”
Demo yanked his arm away.
“What is more important? Your revenge or Sammy?” Tony asked, raising his voice.
Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath Demo nodded. “Go, and come to tell me what is happening.”
With Tony and Manoli gone, he couldn’t change his mind and leave Sammy alone. Demo ached for the angel who filled his life with sunshine, as he walked back to the woman now crouching on her heels beside the couch and gazing into space with blank eyes.
“Agape mou, come back to me. You’re safe now.”
Chapter Nineteen
“Please. Agape mou, lean on me. Take my strength and fight. Tell me what you need me to do, and it will be done. Please don’t shut down, please.”
She could hear the hurt in Demo’s voice, but could not bring herself to ease it. Her legs shook, her eyes burned, and her body shivered, but her hollowed center ached. How could something that wasn’t there hurt so much?
Demo gently raised her to a standing position, and if it weren’t for his arm supporting her, her feet would not have sustained her weight. His touch did more than hold her up. It provided much needed warmth and connected her to the present reality.
“Let’s get you changed, and then you can lie down until you feel better,” Demo said. He guided Sammy towards the bed.
“No!” she screamed. “I don’t want to go to that bed. I won’t!” Then in a softer, more controlled voice she said, “In my nightmare, he was here.”
Universal words of damnation flew from Demo’s lips. His left arm went behind her knees and he swept her into his arms. His heart sounded in her ear as he secured her against him. Quick hot bursts of his breath stroked her cheek while he regained control. Sammy absorbed his love into her being and sank against the security of his body.
“Can I take you to one of the upstairs rooms?” Walking to the staircase, he placed a foot on the first step, but he did not start up the stairs until she’d nodded her consent.
He removed her shoes while he climbed the winding stairs and then brought her to rest on a large bed. An ambiance of assurance and comfort filled the room as he propped the goose feather pillows around her and tucked her under the layers of covers.
The angles and lines of his face were extremely pronounced as he removed her clothes, encased in dirt from when she’d fainted. Turmoil colored his face as he ran his fingertips over the sore skin of her upper arms and brought his lips to the sensitive area.
Sammy felt the streaks of moisture on her cheeks, but refused to breathe for fear of pushing him away. He went to move off the side of the bed, and she entwined her fingers around his shirtsleeve.
“Stay with me Demo. Please don’t go.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll never leave you, agape mou. Never,” he repeated squeezing her hand. “I just want to get you something comfortable to wear. I’ll be downstairs for only a moment.”
She held tighter and adamantly shook her head. No, don’t leave me. I need you now. Don’t be like everyone else. Please.
“Sammy, Demo, pou eisai paidi mou?” Thea Eleni called from downstairs.
“Sammy, its Anna and Thea Eleni. Where are you, sweetie?”
Demo quickly pulled off his shirt and placed it over Sammy’s head. He gathered the sleeves around her shoulders, removing the dirty garments that hung on them. She lifted her arms and slid into the white cotton.
“Your jeans?” he whispered. She shook her head in comprehension and raising her hips, she unbuttoned the pants.
“Okay?” he asked as he removed the jeans from around her ankles. She swallowed hard and nodded.
Tucking the sheet around her, he called to the other women. “We are upstairs in the front bedroom.”
Sammy couldn’t speak again. She locked her gaze on him and hoped it was strong enough to will him to stay. She sighed when he sat on the edge of the mattress, took her hand in his, and murmured against her ear.
“I’m right here.”
He wasn’t like the others. He wasn’t going to leave her. She loved him so much.
Quick footsteps sounded in the hall. Thea Eleni and Anna came into the room and went to Sammy’s side. The older woman spoke soothing Greek words and kissed Sammy’s tense brow while smoothing her hair with warm, caring hands. Anna shook her head and hugged Sammy tight.
“I shouldn’t have let you come for the key. I could feel something was wrong.” Anna sobbed and tears ran down her cheeks. “He’s so ugly. Such a dark soul. I had to look away from him. He could have killed you.”
“He didn’t,” Demo interjected.
“No, thank the Lord, he didn’t,” Anna said and held her friend’s hand against her chest. Anna bit her lip and her chin quivered.
Demo stretched his neck in a circular motion until a crack sounded, and then stood and paced at the foot of the bed.
“The police insist on coming to see you. They need your statements. They will be here in a few minutes.” Anna’s body drooped lower with each word. “Sammy, they got him. And they made the pig wet his pants when they threatened him. He came to the square in soiled jeans.”
A small smile curved Sammy’s lips at the image Anna’s words relayed and brought a smirking Demo to her side.
“That’s my Sammy. My strong, beautiful Sammy.”
“She’ll need to be,” Anna added. “The police lads aren’t the only ones coming. Demo, your whole family is heading to the village.”
“Everyone?”
“Yes. Your parents arrived in Crete an hour ago, and Athena and her fiancé are probably landing as we speak. They are worried about Sammy. They’ll be here tonight.”
Family. It was the foundation of this man. The man Sammy loved, the man who wanted to marry her and for her to do the improbable: to have his babies. How could she rob him of a family of his own? The opportunity to father the children he so wanted?
Thea Eleni had opened the balcony doors and disappeared downstairs. She returned with fresh orange juice and water. Placing the tray on the bedside table, she brought the juice to Sammy’s lips as her hand lifted the young woman’s head.
Not wanting an argument, Sammy swallowed a sip of the tasteless orange liquid and thanked her. Too much would turn her sensitive stomach, and Thea seemed to accept the small attempt Sammy had made.
“Ligo, ligo paidi mou.” Thea Eleni said, bringing her thumb and finger close to indicate a little bit.
People entered the house and spoke at the base of the staircase. The older woman raised a hand and went to see who had arrived.
“It sounds like Manoli and Tony are back with the police,” Demo said. “Can you go downstairs to talk with them?”
Sammy wasn’t sure her legs would hold her. There were many voices, many strange voices. No, she didn’t want to meet them. Her eyes locked with Anna’s and the other woman nodded knowingly. Pulling the covers up around her neck, Sammy turned on her side and stared out the open doors to the balcony overlooking the mountain gorge.
“It’s okay Demo. A female detective can speak to Sammy right here while you give your statement downstairs. I’m sure they need to talk to you separately.”
“No, I’m not leaving her,” he said.
“You need to. She can’t handle being with so many strangers at this moment. There are too many officers, and I’m sure an evidence collection team is here, too.” Anna whispered something Sammy could not understand. Maybe it was in Greek. Sitting on the bed, she laid her arm across her friend. “I’ll stay with her. Now go and get this over with.”
*****
The sun was low in the sky when Demo returned. He sat in a chair and listened to Sammy’s soft breath as she slept.
“Agape mou, never again will you be vulnerable to such hurt. I promise. I’ll take care of you,” he whispered and caressed her hair as he bent over
her. “Sleep and get strong again. I’m here.”
He didn’t know if she heard him, but she rubbed her cheek against his palm and then turned to kiss it. Her breathing was steady and slow. She kept sleeping.
His family had arrived an hour ago. His mother and sister had wanted to come up and sit with him, but he didn’t allow it. Sammy was in shock, and she needed time to heal. He assured the family he would call them when she was ready or if he needed their help.
With respect for Mama and Baba Lakis, who were the official owners of the home until Demo would inherit it as the first-born son, the sleeping arrangements for the night had been decided. On the first day each of the Lakis children had started high school, they were informed that only married couples slept in the same bed under Baba and Mama’s roof. Period.
Athena and Zoë would sleep in the back bedroom on the second floor next to Sammy’s. Refusing cousin Manoli’s invitation to stay at his house, Alexandros, the soon to be son-in-law, would sleep in the living room on one couch, with Tony on the other. Demo smiled as he pictured the two men with their feet hanging over the ends and their shoulders scrunched onto the narrow, stiff, and itchy couches. They were antiques with wool coverings. Demo guessed they would end up sleeping on the balcony in the hammocks.
The parents took the main floor bedroom Demo and Sammy had been using. Thea Eleni had helped him clean and empty it as soon as the police had left. Their clothing was now in the closet in the room where Sammy slept.
Demo refused to leave her and no one dared discuss his sleeping arrangement. Mama had sent up an extra sheet set and two blankets before going to bed. Was she really expecting him to sleep on the floor?
It was midnight and Sammy continued to sleep. Demo closed the bedroom door and undressed. He lay down on the bed, secured Sammy against his chest, and tried to rest. Tomorrow, or as soon as she felt strong, he would take her to the beach. She loved the sea, and she would be able to recover faster there.
Eventually he too fell asleep.
“Demo, are you sleeping?”
“No, agape mou.”
He welcomed her as she snuggled close and cradled her body inside the crook of his left arm. His right hand caressed the arm across his chest. She was warm and soft again. Comfortable in his arms.
“How are you feeling?” He spoke softly.
“Like I was in a bar brawl, but I feel better.” She raised her head and looked around the room. “What time is it?”
“About four. Do you want something to drink?”
“No. But why are we whispering?”
Demo laughed in a very low tone. “We have a house full of family. Athena and Zoë are sleeping next door, my parents are downstairs, and Tony is with Athena’s fiancé. They probably can’t get comfortable enough to sleep.” He’d forgotten she had no idea about the evening’s events.
“Oh, I see,” she said, and settled her head on the arm he stretched under her.
Her hair reflected the moonlight, and he pressed his cheek against it. He stared at the creamy crescent outside the window, and his insides quivered as he thought about how he could have lost her today. Inhaling deep, he slid his hand around her ribs and pulled her closer.
“I thought you’d be looking for the injured tourist the girl had told us about. How did you know it wasn’t true and that Brad was here?”
“You told me.”
He stroked her hair as he spoke. He couldn’t get enough of her, but he knew this was no time for personal need. He was grateful she let him touch her and keep her close. Thankful she welcomed the comfort his arms ached to give her. He wanted to erase the last day from her memory and to keep her safe forever.
“You had said that the bastardo would play on people’s emotions and sympathies, striking them where it will scar the most.”
She trembled against him and wrapped her hands around his arm. He felt her warm breath quicken and her lashes caress his bicep as she listened. He thought she must be trying to shut the hideous image out of her mind. He continued to run his fingers lovingly through her hair.
“As we were driving down the road, Manoli said something like ‘not again.’ When I questioned him, he was surprised I didn’t know about the tragic accident that occurred three years ago. A group of college students was in the gorge and one had fallen. He’d fractured his skull when he misjudged the length of the safety rope.”
“Had Mano gone after him then?” she asked.
“No. It was fall and a weekday. He wasn’t here. The only people here were the older villagers, and none of them could go down to help. The students were in shock and couldn’t think straight, so he was on his own until the rescue team arrived. He didn’t make it.”
“How horrible. But it wasn’t their fault. Even if they had been able to get to him, they wouldn’t have had the resources to help him,” Sammy said.
“True. But the accident took a great emotional toll on the village. From what Manoli said, it was unbearable. Daniels must have done his homework and found out about it. You were correct. He struck where it hurt the most.”
Silence. He didn’t want her to deal with the image of Bradley Daniels anymore. He didn’t want to continue talking about it, but she quietly urged him to continue.
“When I learned this and realized that we had been intentionally separated, we were almost a kilometer down the road. It was narrow spiral, and there was no place for the car to turn without going off the edge. Figuring it would be faster, we started to run back.”
He spoke in a low voice. He didn’t want her to hear the anger and anxiety he felt. Continually immersing himself in her scent by burying his face in the crook of her neck, he was able to sound calm.
“Tony and Teddy were driving up. They’d suspected he was on his way to the village.”
“How?” she interrupted.
“Honestly, agape mou, we didn’t get that far. But they’ve been looking for him all week.”
He held her and didn’t speak. The time between when he’d realized what had happened to the moment he saw her at the doorstep had been the longest and most terrifying of his life. His whole body had churned with horror as his feet hit the pavement in a relentless rhythm up the mountain and back to the house.
Meeting him at the balcony entrance, Teddy and Tony had insisted they needed to enter with a soundless surprise. His brother had practically tackled him at the front gate as he tried to storm the house. They had held him down until he’d agreed to go in together.
She still had her back against him. His hand traced her face, committing each curve and softness to memory.
After much time, she whispered into his palm. “I was going to go in alone.”
He covered her belly in a very protective hold. “I couldn’t live with anything happening to you because I had been taken by his scheme.”
“You came. What if this happened once we got back to New York? I would’ve been really alone.”
“That’s not true,” he said.
“Yes. Our summer deal would be over. You’d be back to your real life.”
He must have heard wrong. “Sammy, you can’t—”
“Shh.” She placed a finger over his lips. “You’re going to wake everyone.”
Shaking his head, he pulled away and sat up. “I don’t care. You can’t be serious about that summer deal stuff. What we have isn’t a casual ‘summer deal.’ What I feel for you is real, it comes from here.” He balled his fist over his heart.
Then it occurred to him that she might not feel the same. After all, she had never given him...no, that wasn’t true. He hadn’t imagined the look in her eyes all those times he’d caught her gazing at him. He had seen her blush and felt the heat when he stood close behind her in the office. And the recent past spoke for itself. Sammy had real feelings for him. She just never vocalized them.
“It’s not about feelings, Demo. It’s about our life goals and desires. I can’t give you what you want.”
“I want you.”
She turned away from him again and brought a pillow against her stomach. His fingers found her beautiful back tense and tight under his touch. When he moved toward her, her shoulder rose around her neck to prevent him from settling his chin there.
“I can’t.”
He felt her body shudder.
“I can’t—”
“Stop. Don’t talk anymore. It is the wrong time for this conversation. I’m sorry, I should’ve realized. Sleep, agape mou, just sleep.”
She was so distressed, and he was an insensitive idiot.
“I’ve waited for you from the first day I met you. I’ll wait for you now.”
Settling behind her, he gathered a stiff Sammy into his arms and silently watched the sky until the sun made its appearance.
The rooster was crowing a wakeup call and doves abandoned their roosts to fly in the morning sky.
Sammy slid from his embrace and rose from the bed. She shuffled to the balcony and stood at the wooden banister.
She was so beautiful. Radiant. She stood in the fresh rays of the sun in white cotton with bare feet and a tousled mass of copper adorning her head. “You are my queen, and I will be your king,” he whispered to himself and smiled as she pulled his shirt over her nose and nuzzled into it. Yes, this woman had real feelings for him.
Chapter Twenty
Sleepless, Sammy lay in the arms of the man who held her heart. A piece of her was forever with him. She sighed, trying to contain the hurt inside. She didn’t want him to see, she didn’t want him to know. If he did, he’d take pity on her and deny his need for a family.
Trying not to wake him, she slid out of his warm embrace and out of his bed. Separating from his scent, heat marred her heart. It hurt so much. How would she ever survive walking away from him?
Baby steps, small baby steps.
She’d build up to it slowly. She would straighten her back, raise her chin and deny her soul a little bit more with each step. She took tiny steps and shuffled out to the balcony, away from Demo.