A Perfect Love: International Billionaires VI: The Greeks (7 page)

“
T
ell me
.” Haimon's eyes were sharp, although his voice was rough and faint. “What is going on?”

Tamsin sat beside the hospital bed. The bright light above the bed cast shadows across his face, making him appear even older and sicker.

But he was alive. And after waking from a three-day coma, he showed no signs of being confused. Not with that familiar sly look in his eyes. The doctor said he’d make a full recovery and for this, she should be grateful.

Shouldn’t she?

“Tell me.” His gaze grew sharper, narrower.

This was the man who’d come into her life when she’d been six and had never left it, not even when her mother had deserted them. He’d kept a roof over their heads for those first few years all on his own. And even though it had been several years since she’d taken over their finances, she still felt as if there should be at least a modicum of loyalty inside her.

Shouldn’t there?

“Tamsin.”

The nurse had told her in no uncertain terms not to upset him, yet she could barely contain the bitter words and angry emotions from erupting. Haimon had promised her the hotel would stay safe. He’d promised her he wouldn’t let his dirty business ruin what she’d created.

He’d lied.

Still, he’d lied so many times before. Even at sixteen she’d known she had to extract absolute confirmation that he’d done what he told her he’d do for Rafe if she agreed to his demands. So why did this last betrayal surprise her? She should let it slide right off her back like she had so many other times.

Shouldn’t she?

“The hotel is gone,” she blurted.

He waved her words away, as if they meant nothing. “I know that.”

Their home gone meant nothing.

A caustic accusation bubbled in her throat and before she could stuff it down, it burst out. “How could you?”

“I had some bad luck with a deal.” He sighed. “I needed to raise some funds to cover the debt. You know how it goes.”

“Bad luck?” Her hands shook so hard she stuffed them between her legs. “You promised.”

The low murmur of the nurses standing at their station filtered into the room. The
click, click, click
of the monitors behind the bed pinged in her head and on her nerves.

“None of that matters now,” he finally responded. “What matters is what we do going forward.”

We.

Her hands fisted between her legs. All these years, she’d been part of this man’s orbit because she had to be. The boys were his, and the boys were the only thing she had. So she’d stayed. No college or love life. Instead, she’d spent her time raising the twins, figuring out how to run a business, trying to keep Aarōn and Isaák insulated from Haimon and his filthy ways. She’d asked for only one thing. One promise.

“There’s no
we
now.” Her words shot from her with firm conviction.

“Don’t be daft.” He shifted on the bed, an irritated frown on his face. “We have a common enemy. Don’t you forget it.”

“Rafe is not my enemy.” He hated her, but she didn’t share the sentiment.

How could she hate him for being bitter and angry about what Haimon had done to their family? At sixteen, she’d known the Vounós would be devastated at their patriarch’s suicide. Not until yesterday, though, had she realized how complete their devastation had been.

Last night, instead of sleeping, she’d again spent hours staring at the hotel’s gilded ceiling, running Rafe’s accusations through her head over and over. Like an endless drone those words of his had moaned in her brain, wafting around her perceptions of her life and her memories of the past.

When her stepfather had come to her ten years ago, he’d gone straight to the point. He’d been sorry about the news of Loukas Vounó’s suicide, sad to see such a smart man do such a stupid thing, yet this changed everything. Without their patriarch, the Vounós would have no money coming in and no more status to lean on. Combine this loss of lifestyle with the disgrace of the suicide and they would no longer be welcome in society or Haimon’s home. He would no longer tolerate any relationship with the remaining family—including hers with Rafe.

She’d objected, fought hard, but he’d held the winning hand.

We are moving to London, Tamsin. Of course, your mother and your brothers will need you there. Your loyalty to your family comes first.

At sixteen, she hadn’t been strong or wise enough to strategize a way around the surprising announcement of the move. And then Haimon had dangled the carrot in front of her.

Break all contact with him, Tammy, and I’ll provide the money for his schooling.

Insuring Rafe would be able to achieve his dream, even if his father was dead and his family’s finances would grow increasingly precarious, had seemed paramount to her. Her stepfather had made it clear. There would be no money and no influence with Loukas Vounó out of the picture. Rafe’s chances of achieving his dream wouldn’t be impossible, but with her help, his dream would be assured.

She’d thought she’d done the right thing.

The only thing she could have done.

Now though? Now all of her justifications were thrown into turmoil. Because what she had done, it seemed, was side with this man before her. This man who, if Rafe were to believed, had done far worse than make her split with her boyfriend that long ago night. Far worse.

“Don’t tell me you’re falling for the guy again.” Haimon glared at her. “Don’t be a foolish girl.”

When was the last time she’d allowed herself to be a girl? To have girlish dreams? When had she been given even a moment to think of herself? An unexpected rage filled her, her nails biting into the skin of her palms. “I’m not falling for anything or anyone. Not anymore.”

At the fierce tone in her voice, her stepfather dropped back on his pillow. His deep sigh reminded her of the nurse’s warning. He’d nearly died three days ago. She shouldn’t be talking to him this way.

Tamsin pulled her anger inside, stuffed it down. “Let’s not argue.”

“Where are Aarōn and Isaák?” the old man muttered.

“They’re safe.” Reaching over, she forced herself to pat the gnarled hand lying on the blue blanket. “Don’t worry.”

Leaving them with Rafe had been her only real option. She might not trust him, yet she knew he meant no harm to the boys. If she didn’t believe this, she wouldn’t have left them in his care today to keep her appointment with her solicitor. There was no way he could leave the country with the twins without her consent. Plus, she’d come to accept he was now part of their lives and they needed to get to know him. Even understanding this, she’d wanted to race back to the hotel as soon as she was done with her appointment.

The phone call from the hospital telling her Haimon had awakened had stopped the rush. Stepping out of her solicitor’s office as she clicked her mobile off, Tam had known she couldn’t ignore this. He was her stepfather and she was the only person he had.

“I’m not worried about them.” Haimon brushed off her hand. “I want to know where they are.”

“We took some rooms in a hotel.” Now was not the time to upset him, she told herself. She wasn’t lying. She was merely taking one thing at a time. “They have supervision.”

“Who?” His grey eyes narrowed once more.

“Someone safe.” She eased back on her padded chair, trying to appear nonchalant, trying to figure out how to change the subject. “I actually had an appointment this morning so I’d already made arrangements.”

The memory of the meeting with her solicitor drummed in the back of her head. She couldn’t quite wrap her mind around what she’d learned there, what she’d realized she had to deal with.

“What did you say his name was?” Mr. Kempler’s crisp, clear tone had sharpened.

“Raphael Vounó,” she’d said.

The meeting had gone well up until that point. She’d laid out her dilemma, the fear her brothers would be taken from her against her will if she allowed the DNA test. She’d been encouraged when Mr. Kempler had dismissed the very thought. He’d assured her no mere DNA test could match her years of caring for Aarōn and Isaák. No English court would side with a man unknown to the twins only days ago.

But then…then, she’d mentioned the name.

“Good God.” Mr. Kempler had lurched from his leather chair and started to pace. “Viper Enterprises.”

“What?” The thread of concern in his voice made her heart chug.

He whipped around to stare at her in surprise. “Didn’t you at least Google this man? Do some investigation on him?”

A wash of embarrassment swept through her. She hadn’t. Not once had she typed Raphael Vounó’s name into her computer. Too painful, too bitter. And the last two days had been too overwhelming to dig out her laptop from their luggage and do any investigation. Or maybe, if she was honest with herself, what she might find frightened her. She’d stupidly stuffed her head into a hole. The heat of anger at herself made her flush once more. “I didn’t.”

Her solicitor sighed. Walking to his chair, he slumped down. “You have a problem, Ms. Drakos.”

Fear tightened its grip around her throat. “I do?”

“You do.” Mr. Kempler sifted through the papers on his desk until he found what he’d been searching for. A newspaper.

He pushed it toward her. “Take a look.”

Tamsin cautiously drew the paper towards her. It was one of the financial papers Haimon sometimes read. She’d never had time. Between the boys and the hotel, she’d rarely had time to do any reading at all.

Viper Enterprises One of the Top 10 Stocks to Buy

The headline blared. She skimmed the article. The writer touted the company, the company’s prospects, the new patents they’d acquired in the past year, the major patent for some kind of wonder medical device the company was currently bidding on. And the owner. Quite a lot of glowing prose on the owner.

My business.

A business I’m very successful in.

She glanced up to meet the worried eyes of her solicitor. Her heart sunk and her stomach began to churn. “He told me he had a business.”

The solicitor scoffed. “A bit of an understatement.”

Cold fear slid down her throat to land in the pit of her gut. The limo, the silk suit, the fancy hotel: all the clues combined into a sick sort of sense. “He owns a big business?”

A dry chuckle laced with irony was her response.

“How big?”

“Just the biggest global healthcare company in the world.”

“What?” she gasped. Yet the horror at her solicitor’s announcement blended with a shock of joy inside her. Rafe hadn’t become a doctor, but at least he’d founded a company that helped heal people.

“You have a formidable enemy, Ms. Drakos. A billionaire.” Mr. Kempler eased forward, placing his elbows on his desk and his pointed fingers under his chin. “I’d advise you to proceed with care.”

“I could lose the boys?” Her greatest fear broke loose in her heart, pounding in her brain and her body like an awful march of death. She couldn’t lose the twins. Aarōn and Isaák were why she lived.

“Yes, if you’re not careful.” The solicitor’s voice grew intense. “A man like Mr. Vounó has endless resources.”

“He told me he’d talked with his solicitors. Plural.”

Another dry chuckle. “I’m sure the man has many solicitors.”

“What should I do?” she whispered, stark fear shivering along her spine.

“You could sue him for back child support. Still, that would be tricky.” Mr. Kempler’s gaze narrowed. “And costly.”

“I don’t want his money.” The thought of accepting any more of Rafe’s largess stuck like a stone in her gut.

“Then, I’d advise you to make a deal with the man. Quickly.” Her solicitor leaned back in his chair, his mouth firming. “If you believe the DNA test will prove what he says is true, the best thing you can do is to come to some agreement with Vounó about the boys’ custody.”

“He wants to take them away from me.” Chilled terror had run down her arms, giving her goose bumps.

“You’ve got a problem, Ms. Drakos.”

“That’s your problem.” Haimon’s voice ripped right through her recollection.

“What?” Tam turned her vacant gaze to meet the old man’s keen eyes.

“You haven’t heard a word I’ve said these last few minutes, have you?’ He coughed, a harsh, deep sound. “Give me some water.”

She stood and grabbed the glass of water on the side table. Leaning over him, she held the glass as he sucked down a small amount of the liquid.

“Enough.” He pushed the glass away.

“I should go. You’re tired.”

“No. Not yet.” He plopped his head back on the pillow, his face sallow, his breathing hoarse. “There’s still some things I have to say.”

“All right.” Tamsin sat, wishing she could leave and never come back. But the strings of loyalty after so many years were too hard to cut. “A few more minutes.”

“I need money.”

Apparently, the subject of the boys had been forgotten, much to her relief. Or more likely, knowing her stepfather, the subject of money was far more important. She shouldn’t be surprised. He always needed money. They’d never made a lot of cash with the hotel, yet whatever profit there’d been had been immediately seized by Haimon to fund one of his many schemes. Only by a deft slight-of-hand, had she been able to find the money to pay for the boys’ clothes and lessons. “I hardly think you need money in the hospital.”

“I’m not going to be here for long.” The old man’s eyes glittered. “I’m going to get well.”

She should be glad at this show of determination, but all she could feel right now was a building panic.

I’m not done with him.
Rafe’s harsh voice echoed in her memory.

“You’ve gone pale.” Haimon’s ragged voice cut through her thoughts. “Did the doctor tell you something I don’t know?”

“No.” She plastered a smile on her face. “I only remembered something I have to take care of.”

Humphing, he eased back onto the pillow. “I’m going to get well, I tell you. I’m going to get back at Vounó.”

Tam stifled a moan. On the one side she had Raphael Vounó, who hated this man and
had plans for him
. Rafe, who if what her solicitor said was true, had more money than a Greek god. Rafe, with whom she had to make a deal to keep her in the twins’ life. On the other hand, she had Haimon. A man who’d raised her. A man who wanted his own revenge against Raphael Vounó. A man who expected her loyalty and who she probably should warn…