The Billionaire's Blackmailed Heiress (3 page)

“I do appreciate a woman who is true to her word” he had chuckled, his eyes softening as Mina had given him a small return smile.

He had stood to indicate they should leave, moving towards the door and holding it wide for her. As she had passed he had slid his eyes down her slim figure. While the dress she wore was shapeless he was still able to make out the soft curves of her wonderful figure as the silky material brushed against her hips and breasts. She had moved gracefully on the long legs he had admired by the pool, her delicate feet and slender ankles silky smooth, surprising himself with the sudden urge to run his hand up them to feel their suppleness under his fingers, his mouth tightening at the unwelcome intrusive image, quickly raising his eyes so as not to stare. She was he had to admit very attractive if not beautiful with her large green eyes and full red lips which begged to be kissed. Frowning he had wondered why such thoughts had crossed his mind.

As they had walked to the car park she seemed not to notice the effect she had on men, seeming demure almost shy. However he had been only too aware of the way many of the men had cast their eyes in her direction. With a small scowl he once again reminded himself that she was Alexander’s daughter. With a tightening of his mouth he had enough experience of that man’s ability to lie and deceive, so why would he not expect it in his offspring. No - this woman was just like her father and Nikos’ guard was well and truly up.

Reaching his car, he had opened the door to the sleek convertible sports car, seeing as she had looked at it in wide-eyed wonder before sliding into the soft leather passenger seat. As he had joined her he had looked over in surprise to hear her chuckling.

Mina had looked back, her soft green eyes now full of laughter which gave her already perfect complexion a glow which lit up her features, inexplicably sending his pulse racing.

“I’m sorry” she had giggled.

“It’s just that I have images of Bridget Jones after her ride in one of these kinds of cars, and I’m so glad I put my hair up”

He had grinned back the image making him laugh with her as he had nodded, softening his austere features instantly.

“Yes. I am afraid that many of my dates were not so wise…some were not amused” he had added with another small laugh.

She had pulled her sunglasses back on to hide the way she could not help but look at him. He was the most handsome man she had ever met, but there was more to his appeal than that. He had an aura of authority and power which she had never before felt but which was making her shiver with an awareness for this man she had never before experienced.

Before she had made the trip she had Googled as much about the man as she could, finding many articles of his many mistresses and lifestyle which showed that he was a man of the world used to the finer things in life. To him she must seem like a simpleton compared to the women he was used to, this thought making her raise her small chin defiantly before feeling ashamed as he had been nothing but courteous and considerate to her especially considering the circumstances of their meeting. Well he had the means to have her out of his hair once and for all she had determined flicking another quick look at him his whole body relaxed behind the wheel.

He had driven the powerful car with ease, his movements sure and graceful as he had expertly manoeuvred the vehicle through the busy roads, neither speaking during the short journey till they were clear of the village. Mina had enjoyed the feel of the wind as it whipped over the front of the car and over their heads, his thick black locks blowing around his head, Mina holding back the smile as she had thought that only he could look good with his hair being flicked back and forth by the breeze.

Finally they had reached their destination, not somewhere she was expecting, thinking that he would have chosen something more luxurious and to his social standing than the small off-the-beaten path bar which sat on the sand with the water offering a wonderful and enticing backdrop. With a small smile she realised that he most likely did not want to be seen with somebody like her, the thought hurting more than she was prepared to admit.

Parking, he had quickly moved around to open her door, smiling gently at her as though he had known the thoughts running through her head.

“I thought I would bring you to the island’s best kept secret…also we are guaranteed privacy”.

Mina had nodded her head.

“Of course”.

Her only comment as he had led the way to one of the empty tables, before moving into the small shack-like bar where she could hear him laughing and joking with the owner, not able to understand what was being said but realising that he obviously came there often as he seemed on good terms with the owner, not sure why that thought made her feel better. When he returned he carried two large cups, one full of coffee and the other tea. Sitting down he had given her a small smile.

“I took a guess that being British you would want tea” seeing as she had stifled a smile nodding her head.

“Well sorry to be so stereotypical, but yes, that is definitely the way to go”.

The two had taken a sip of their drinks, Mina not quite sure what to say as his look had become more sombre and businesslike.

“Forgive me for appearing with no warning” In a voice which did not seem sorry at all.

“I had my investigators check out your story”.

Mina had sat silently. Far from being shocked from his investigation of her, she had expected it and had remained motionless and quiet as he had continued.

“My people were able to get the information quicker than I had anticipated corroborating your story”.

At that he had delved into the bag he had carried from the car with him, retrieving a fairly thick folder, and sliding it over to her.

Surprised at how much they had gathered in such a short period of time Mina had moved her hand to lift it, opening the buff folder and seeing the many pictures and reports contained within. One in particular had caught her eyes, showing her mother and Alexander Mentis, her father. Giving a sad half smile she had seen how happy her mother had looked, as she had stared at the handsome man beside her with such adoring eyes.

“That picture was taken about six months after you were born”.

His voice had broken her reverie as she had pulled herself back to the present, dropping the folder and its contents once more onto the table between them.

“So you accept that I am Alexander’s daughter then?” she had said softly, seeing as he had nodded his head.

“Yes, I do” watching her over his coffee cup before softly placing it back down “Did you know that he registered your birth himself?”

Mina had gasped in surprise.

“N…no…I didn’t” she had stuttered softly.

“He never seemed to have much time for me when I was a child” her voice not full of hurt as he would have expected, but spoken more matter of fact.

“There will need to be DNA tests for legal reasons, but yes I believe that you are truly his daughter”.

She had frowned gently, first at the obvious note of contempt that had crept into his voice but also at the need for tests.

“While I am obviously fully prepared to provide DNA evidence, is their really any need. Wouldn’t it just be better….?”

His voice now very businesslike had cut over hers.

“I considered your proposal Miss Lane, but have decided that I have a better one…one that helps me out of a bit of a situation of my own”

Mina had looked back at him, her face both confused and frustrated.

“But…I have agreed to sign over everything for one million pounds Mr Dupris…we both know that as his daughter I stand to gain far more”.

She had felt the panic rise in her seeing the way he had given another smaller smile.

“That is very true Miss Lane, but you see my investigators also found out for me why you need so much money”.

As the colour had blanched from her lovely face, she had seen him look at her with a more sympathetic expression on his face, his voice becoming softer.

“I am sorry to hear of your mother’s illness Mina”.

She had felt the tears rushing to her eyes, not expecting to hear this from him, images of her frail mother filling her mind as she had angrily dashed them away, trying once more to regain some control of the situation.

“That was none of your business” she had bitten out, suddenly so angry at his violation of her pain, feeling somehow vulnerable by his knowing of her hurt.

For a second he had remained silent allowing her to compose herself, as she had deliberately looked away from him, her eyes falling on the serene view of the sea, before once more able to turn to look at him, her eyes slightly red, her teeth savaging her lovely lips.

In a smaller voice she had carefully spoken.

“What do you know?” her eyes rising to look into his face, not able to see the expression in his eyes as they were still hidden behind the dark sunglasses.

“I know that you have rented the villa Aqua for a month, the villa you and your mother lived in while she and Alexander were together, and that you have pretty much used up all of your money to do it”

Continuing his voice had been calm.

“I also know that your mother has not long left to live”.

He had paused seeing the flash of pain which had again crossed her face, more tears rising to her eyes as she had fought hard to keep them from spilling over, something inside him reacting to her vulnerability.

“I truly am sorry Mina”.

Nodding softly, she had once more dragged the back of her hand over her cheek, her hands visibly trembling.

“Well I guess that you would have found out eventually” she had finally stated, the hurt clear on her voice.

“You asked me yesterday why I had waited so long to …how did you put it…crawl out of the woodwork”.

She had pulled on her sunglasses in a vain attempt to hide her upset.

“I never wanted my connection with Alexander Mentis to come to light Mr Dupris. If I had not needed this money, then I would never have approached you or your family…but at least now you know why I have…and also that I will keep my word and I will sign anything you ask, and never bother you or your family again”.

Nikos had watched Mina, silently taking in the way she was trying so desperately to keep her composure.

“I only want to make my mother’s last few months happy ones Mr Dupris. That is all”.

She had spoken in almost a whisper, her lovely face vulnerable as he had frowned softly, lifting his cup and taking a sip. He had wanted to despise the woman before him, to find fault in the daughter of the stepfather he had hated so much. However, she was solely concerned about her mother, prepared to sacrifice everything to make her happy. For the first time since meeting her, he had felt a twinge of pity for the young woman, chastising himself and once more reminding himself who she was. She was the bastard child of a man he had loathed. Hardening his features he had once more looked over at the young woman before him.

“The villa your mother is in just now is one of my properties Miss Lane” he had said, once more becoming so formal, seeing the surprise on her face.

“Your name is not on…” she had began as he had interrupted her, knowing what she was about to say.

“It is managed by a rental company on our behalf”.

Mina had once more fallen silent.

“I have contacted them and secured it for the next year…in my name and my name only”.

His mouth softer “I thought perhaps a little longer might be wise”.

Mina had looked at him, her expression one of complete surprise and hope, a smile forming on her luscious lips.

“You…Oh my God…I don’t know how to thank you”.

A note of relief now clearly present in her voice “Mr Dupris…It has been such a worry … I really want to thank you”.

Nikos, however, had raised his hand to stop her.

“Like I said Miss Lane, I gave your proposal some thought and have decided that I have another one to put to you”.

Mina had hesitated, her relief still so evident her face now shining with the most dazzling smile, one which was sending strange sensations through him. He had thought her lovely before, but now she shone and it was all he could do to not stare at how beautiful she looked. Pulling himself together, his voice had been harsher than he had meant it to be.

“I have a different proposal for you. Your mother can remain at the villa and I will ensure that she has round the clock medical support when it becomes necessary…and you will still be given one million pounds”.

With a wide smile she had shaken her head.

“Really Mr Dupris…there is no need to give me money…you have no idea how much I appreciate what you are doing” pulling off her sunglasses once more to wipe a small happy tear from her large shining green eyes.

Nikos had swallowed, suddenly feeling bad about what he was about to do. Once more reminding himself of who she was, although the vision of her at that moment, so relieved and happy to be in a position to make her dying mothers final wishes come true had made him feel very uncomfortable.

In a low strong voice he had looked closely at her.

“I want you to come out and declare to the world your relationship to Alexander”.

He had watched as the smile had fallen from her face, her smooth complexion growing pale, as she had stared back at him in horror.

“W.what…what do you mean?…I can’t” she had stuttered in dumbfounded disbelief.

“I told you I would remain unknown…I promised to sign anything. Why would you want?…”

Mina could only stare at him, stupefied at his words, her eyes staring wildly at the man before her. This man who sat so still and composed his expression one of grim determination, knowing that he was not joking as she so badly wanted him to be.

Once more picking up his drink, his hands still and strong as hers shook uncontrollably he had continued.

“Your father had a child from his first marriage, Alexander also. He has equal rights to the company that I have pulled up and turned around. Now that it is once again the thriving organisation that it was, he sees a way to get VERY rich VERY fast”.