Harlequin Romance April 2021 Box Set Page 3

  His greatest fear now was that she would wish him on the other side of the universe.

  Her eyes narrowed. “I did consign you there a long time ago.”

  “That comes as no surprise to me. If my life hadn’t had to go in a different direction and I’d been given my wish, I would have kidnapped you from London and never let you go.”

  * * *

  Then why didn’t you? Gianinna’s soul cried out as she watched his tall, well-honed physique leave her office.

  Left witless by Philip’s parting words, she sat down at her desk in a daze. There’d been a time when she wouldn’t have let him go without running into his arms first and smothering him with kisses.

  When they’d been in London, every moment became a struggle when it came time to say good-night. That month neither of them got enough asleep because it was so hard to disentangle themselves. Just now she’d almost called to him to stay with her. To her surprise, her desire for him hadn’t abated. It proved she was close to being out of her mind.

  Once he’d gone, Khloe hurried into her office with an enormous smile. “Oh, Giannina—if I were younger and not married...”

  She averted her eyes. “You and a million other women, Khloe. Now I need to make a call.”

  “Of course.”

  After the door clicked shut, Giannina struggled to get a grip on herself before she phoned Nico. Her pulse raced off the charts. How could she still want and desire Philip? He’d broken her heart in such a cruel way, she’d thought she was completely over him. Yet she’d just told him she wanted to go with him. It proved he still had a stranglehold on her heart.

  Giannina had never needed her brother’s advice more. She hated bothering him when he was the busy CEO of the Angelis Shipping Lines and had become a new daddy a month ago. He and Alexa had named their little boy Nico and they were so crazy about him, she hated to bother him.

  But she needed her brilliant sibling to help her make sense of Philip’s claim about Ari, let alone his unprecedented visit. She’d never imagined hearing from him again, let alone that he would approach her on anything as shocking as the news he’d brought.

  It took a half hour before Nico was able to call her back. “Giannina? What’s going on?”

  “Forgive me for asking your assistant to track you down. I need advice and you’re the only one who can help me.”

  “You can always call me. You know that. What is it? You sound upset.”

  She bit her lip. “I’m not sure what I am, Nico. But here’s what I know. This morning I had a visit from Philip Dimas.” Her brother knew everything about her former relationship with the famous journalist who’d broken her heart.

  After a silence, “What’s it been? Three years and a ton of postcards with no return address? He actually came to see you?”

  “Yes.” Her voice shook. She swallowed hard. “When he walked into my office, I’m afraid I had the same reaction as you did after you saw Alexa for the first time in seventeen years.”

  “He has uncommon courage to face you after what he did. I’ll give him that. Has he asked for your forgiveness?”

  “No. His reason for coming to my office has shocked me to the core. He brought news no one knows about yet. General Ruiz and the junta have been arrested along with one of the assassins of the king and queen of Hellenia. Philip says Hellenia is now free.”

  “You’re right. I’m shocked and didn’t think we’d ever see this day.”

  “Neither did I. That’s the good news. But there’s bad news too. You’re not going to believe what I have to tell you, Nico.”

  “Don’t keep me in suspense any longer.”

  “He has information from his Hellenian news sources that our uncle Ari was the other assassin responsible for the deaths of the royal family.”

  An eerie silence followed. She knew her brother had heard her clearly and was attempting to deal with what she’d just told him.

  “No matter how deeply Philip broke my heart, Nico, I do believe his claim must have legs, otherwise he wouldn’t have dared face me after all this time.”

  “It’s possible he’s speaking the truth,” Nico murmured at last. “Ari had a dark side we all suspected. After what he did to you at the paper, somehow the news that he could be a killer doesn’t shock me nearly as much.”

  “He’s an awful man, but I didn’t think he’d go that far.”

  “Philip had to be aware of the false news planted in the paper about the prince and blaming you. No doubt he’s aware our notorious uncle disappeared once he was fired.”

  “He knows a lot, Nico. That’s why he’s so good at what he does. There’s more.” For the next few minutes she told him of Philip’s plan to go to Mount Athos to witness his arrest. “He told me he’d brought the story to me, no one else. Apparently he’s no longer a journalist.” He also claimed that he has always loved me, her heart nagged at her.

  “Does he mean for you to publish it?”

  “If I want to.”

  “Along with the capture of the general, it will be the story of the century, but that’s up to you.”

  “I know. I told Philip I wanted to go with him as far as the village dock. I need to know if it’s really our uncle. He’s going to pick me up at seven.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me,” her brother muttered.

  “You think I’m insane?”

  “Of course not. Even if the man hiding on Mount Athos doesn’t turn out to be our uncle, it was an honorable thing Philip did to tell you before it became world news.” Giannina had to admit it was honorable. “But there’s no question the man has put you in a difficult spot emotionally. You know exactly what I mean, so enough said about the pain he has put you through. When will you be talking to him again?”

  “He’ll come for me at seven unless I tell him otherwise.”

  “Then why not go with him and see Ari for yourself. But I caution you to be careful.”

  She knew what her brother was saying. He worried about her getting hurt again. “I will. Nico? You think Uncle Ari is the killer, don’t you? I hear it in your voice.”

  “I’m afraid so. Now that I think about it, his fury when you criticized the general’s ideology explains what was going on inside him.”

  “I agree.” She bit her lip. “Thank you so much, Nico. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Say nothing to the family yet.”

  “I won’t. Only you. Give little Nico a kiss from me.”

  After they hung up, her conversation with Philip came back to her. I’m afraid we have to leave at seven so I can be on time for the arrest. He was right about acting immediately.

  What amazed her was that her brother was willing to give Philip the benefit of the doubt. Nico knew how he’d hurt Giannina by toying with her love for the last three years. Yet he’d given Philip credit for being honorable.

  Maybe she was crazy, but a part of her wanted to believe in Philip. What on earth was wrong with her? She couldn’t still be in love with him. She just couldn’t be! Those heavenly days were long gone.

  * * *

  Alex stood on the balcony of his hotel room that overlooked Salonica. He drank the coffee he’d ordered with an early dinner. Giannina hadn’t phoned, but he was still worried that she could change her mind because she didn’t trust him. He was a fool to think otherwise.

  From the moment he’d entered her office earlier, the urge to crush her in his arms had dominated every moment they’d been together. But for that nerve throbbing in her throat, she’d remained so cool he could hardly believe it was the same Giannina who’d taken over his heart and had never let it go.

  After seeing her again, looking more beautiful than he could ever have imagined, he hadn’t been able to settle down. Part of the day he’d talked with Zikos, who’d had a diamoneterion rushed through. Alex wouldn’t be allowed on Mount At
hos without the official permit.

  They discussed details of their plan for him to be there when Hatzi was arrested and brought on board. He wanted Giannina there to identify her uncle. She needed to be provided the absolute proof of his identity in order to share the information with her family.

  In the late afternoon, he loaded his cabin cruiser with supplies, then returned to his hotel. A group of men loyal to the throne would join him in a second boat. They would dock at Ouranoupoli, the seaside gateway village to the holy mountain.

  If Giannina changed her mind, Alex could never blame her for shutting him out of her life forever, not after the cruel way he’d left their relationship hanging. But a part of him was praying her need for truth was greater than her dislike and distrust of him.

  Much as he wanted to walk over to her office and intrude on her unannounced, he didn’t dare. Once again, he checked his watch. Six thirty. He’d told her time was of the essence. As a newspaper woman, she knew the wisdom in acting fast on a tip. She hadn’t phoned him yet. Maybe a miracle was still in store for him.

  As he gathered the last few things to take with him, his phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and checked the caller ID. Giannina Angelis. Just seeing her name caused his spirits to plunge. He clicked on, dreading to hear she wouldn’t be coming with him after all. “Giannina?”

  “Philip?” He didn’t hear any breathlessness in her voice. “I talked to my brother. He’s thankful you’re giving our family the chance to know about our uncle before anyone else.”

  Thank heaven. He let out the breath he’d been holding.

  “Just so you know, there’ll be a night watchman at the entrance to let you in. He’ll show you to the private elevator.”

  “I’m glad someone’s keeping watch over you. I’ll be there soon.” He hung up, not only elated that her brother had gone along with this plan, but that she hadn’t let the pain Alex had caused prevent her from coming with him.

  Never had he loved this woman more than he did now. Galvanized into action, he phoned Zikos, who would give the men working for him the signal to meet him at the Salonica dock. They discussed last-minute plans. Alex would join them later that night.

  He left the hotel in his rental car and headed for her office, vowing to win her around no matter how long it took, be it weeks, months or, heaven help him, years. Once Hatzi was arrested, Alex would end his deception. Whether she knew it or not, they were in this together now. If she could ever forgive him after she heard the truth, they would never have to be separated again.

  The night watchman saw him coming and ushered him inside the lobby to one of the elevators. When he reached the third floor and entered her office, she stood up, still dressed in the same outfit as earlier.

  Maybe it was the lighting, but she looked a little flushed. He could hope it was a sign that she was a little excited to see him. If he got closer to her, she’d hear the hammering of his heart.

  “I’m ready to leave the office, but we’ll have to drop by my apartment for a few things.”

  “Of course. On the drive over, there’s something else you need to know about your uncle.”

  She stared hard at him. “You speak with such authority, I have a feeling you know a lot more than you’ve revealed.”

  “You’re a journalist, Giannina. No one understands better than you the need for a great deal of information about a target if you want to cover the news and get the whole truth.”

  She frowned. “Don’t patronize me, Philip.”

  “That’s the last thing I’m trying to do. I love you. My hope is that you’ll start believing in me.”

  Her eyes looked away. “I want to believe you for the sake of our family and my poor aunt Olga, who has yet to know what’s going on.”

  “It won’t be long now. Have you ever been to Ouranoupoli village?”

  “Several times with Nico.”

  “When we get there, maybe you’d prefer to stay at a hotel while you wait for me. Or you can remain on the cruiser while I meet with the men and bring your uncle to you. I can’t give you a timeline, but if all goes as I hope, you’ll soon be able to meet him face-to-face.”

  Giannina lifted her head. “That moment can’t come soon enough.”

  “I don’t foresee any problems, but in case there are, you’ll need to leave your managing editor in charge. There’ll be a bedroom for you on the cruiser and food. Pack enough clothes to last a day or two. I have no idea how long this will take. Now’s the time to tell me if you’ve decided not to come with me.”

  His heart raced in double time while he waited for her answer. “What do you say?” he challenged her. “Are you with me?”

  * * *

  “Yes,” Giannina murmured at last. It brought a subtle smile to Philip’s compelling mouth, intriguing her.

  She grabbed her purse and went down the private elevator with Philip. The confined space meant their arms brushed against each other, arousing her senses. Giannina couldn’t believe she was going with him and feared he could feel the rapid beat of her heart.

  They left the building and he helped her into the rental car. She gave him directions to her apartment. The interior was redolent of the soap he’d used in the shower. Its scent flooded her with memories of being in his arms while they’d kissed each other, unable to get enough.

  “What else haven’t you told me about my uncle?”

  It took only a few minutes to reach her apartment. He shut off the engine before turning to her with a solemn expression. “After committing the double murders fourteen years ago with the other assassin, Hatzi’s mission in life was to hunt for the prince and eliminate him.”

  Gianinna’s gasp over the unexpected news about her uncle’s underlying agenda reverberated in the car. “He admitted as much?”

  Alex reached for her hand and squeezed it like he used to do to comfort her when she was upset about something. “In truth, your uncle has been leading a double life for years as a recruit of the general. His whole plan was to marry your aunt to get access to the Angelis fortune and influence. Killing the prince was his next priority.”

  “I just can’t believe it.”

  Alex pulled her to him and kissed her temple. “I know you’re sickened by this, but it’s better you hear everything from me before the news leaks out.”

  She was confused by their closeness that felt so wonderful. Yet she was reeling from this latest news and had to find the strength to pull away from him. “I’m glad you told me.”

  “Come on. Let’s go inside.”

  They took the elevator to her apartment on the fourth floor. She refused to meet those blue eyes burning with emotion. “While I get my suitcase and pack, you’re welcome to anything from the fridge. I think there’s a cola.”

  “That sounds good.”

  Excitement she shouldn’t be feeling consumed her to be with him again. While he went to the kitchen, she hurried into her bedroom and threw a few items into a small overnight bag. She also packed her camera to get pictures of her uncle to show the family.

  Before she forgot, she called Khloe and put her in charge until her return without telling her the end date or the reason why. Any emergency and she could phone Nico. Then she changed into jeans and a short-sleeved, leaf-green top.

  After freshening up in the bathroom, she caught her hair back with a clip and rejoined him in the kitchen, where he was just finishing his soda. She reached for a ham roll and ate it, followed by a cola.

  His gaze fused with hers. It played over her, missing nothing, causing her legs to tremble. “You look terrific as always.”

  So did he, also dressed in jeans that molded his powerful thighs. She had to suppress an inward moan. The dark blue pullover suited his rock-hard physique. Giannina needed to stop looking at him and washed her hands. “If you’ve grown a few gray hairs in three years, I can’t tell.” No
t when he was a dark blond.

  He chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” He reached for her suitcase. “Shall we go?”

  “I’m ready.” She fought not to sound too eager. They left and went down to the car. He stashed her bag in back and started the engine. Before long they reached a dock where a number of boats were moored. How strange it felt to be alone with him again like this, yet not in his arms.

  “Have you ever been on Mount Athos, Philip?”

  “Yes. One time.”

  “What was it like for you? My brother went there with our father when he was about ten, but I don’t remember what he told me.”

  “It’s a fantastical place with giant monasteries. There are twenty of them built on the slopes of the mountain. A few are found along the coast.”

  “Do the monks live together?”

  “Not all. Some of them isolate themselves in caves called sketes and have their food lifted to them in baskets on pulleys.”

  “You’re kidding!”

  “When I went there with my uncle a couple of years ago, we slept in a dormitory.”

  She felt a twinge of pain. A couple of years ago? That meant he’d been only seventy kilometers away from her while she’d been working in Salonica.

  “How long were you there?”

  “Overnight. I found it fascinating. No newspapers.”

  “No women,” she added, putting on a fake smile when her heart was breaking over the knowledge that he hadn’t tried to get in touch with her.

  “You were close by, Giannina. I would have given anything to see you again, but I was doing an investigation and couldn’t risk it at the time.”

  Of course not. “Did you find what you were looking for?”

  “No. But it was good to be with my uncle Zikos. We hadn’t been together for a long time.”

  She heard genuine love in his voice. “I’m sure it was.”