Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
V alencia
“Did you know you were in the newspaper? Well, the internet version anyway.” Katrina already had a glass of wine in her hand and it was midafternoon there.
Magnum barked and I instantly melted. “Hi, baby dog. Mommy misses you. What do you mean I’m in the paper?”
“About your heroic efforts to save a monster. Not those exact words, but that was the intention. Is this guy you saved really Greek mafia?”
I took a deep breath, noticing Emily was listening in carefully since I had it on Facetime so I could see my pup. “Yes, he’s mafia.”
“You’re lucky you weren’t killed.”
“I saved his life. That was the extent of it.” I hated lying to my sister. “When was this in the news?”
“I saw it this morning, but it was from a couple days ago. Did you know anything about it?” Katrina almost dropped her wine since Magnum was doing everything he could to be the center of the cellphone’s attention. His whining squeals nearly broke my heart. “Don’t worry. The article wasn’t a nasty slant at you or your profession. Actually, what was said was pretty nice.”
I glanced at Emily, her expression one of concern. “How much about my life was mentioned?”
“Just the hospital you worked at and how much time you took with your patients. That kind of thing. Is something wrong? A little notoriety isn’t always bad, you know.”
Maybe not, but in this case, it could be deadly. “No, nothing’s wrong. Everything okay there?”
“He’s just waiting by the door for you to get home.” Katrina made a face and as if on cue, Magnum howled, the sound horrifically morose.
“I’ll be home in a couple days, baby boy. Stop worrying, sis. You’re right. Notoriety isn’t bad.”
“Talk soon. Find a hot man while you’re there.” She laughed, hugged my pup before clicking off her phone,
“Fuck.” I held the phone to my head before dumping it on the bed.
“That’s interesting.” Emily was still staring at me.
“Yep,” I mused as I popped the P.
“So, this dangerous mafia guy of yours commanded you to go to this opening?” Emily asked as she pushed her way into the room.
“Basically.” I couldn’t argue the point he was dangerous.
“And you said yes? That’s not like you. He’s hot, but that’s insane.”
I immediately noticed there were packages in my hotel room just like Christos had promised. A tiny thrill tore through me, but I was also hesitant to feel happy about spending another night with him.
“I didn’t have a choice.” I grabbed a handful, taking them to the bed.
“That’s just… Romantic as hell.”
I laughed at her sudden change in demeanor. “Actually, it is.” I’d had a tough time concentrating during the sessions, barely comprehending anything the different doctors had gone over. At least today had been less demanding with questions and answers.
With only a couple of hours’ sleep, I’d remained jittery all day. And sore. But in a good way.
“Just how awesome was the time you spent together last night?” she asked, her voice dreamy.
“Amazing.” I pulled a box from a bag, surprised how heavy it was. When I removed the top, I was shocked, a moment of sheer giddiness rolling into me. “The man is insane. Look at this.” I pulled the long dress out, holding it against me and turning around.
“Oh, my God. Is that for tonight?”
I nodded and peered down. The dress was the most insane color of emerald with tiny beads covering every inch.
“Those are hand sewn. Do you have any idea how much a dress like that costs?” She picked at the label, shaking her head. “That’s an Italian designer. His collection is worn by celebrities all over the world. That’s maybe eighty thousand dollars.”
“No fucking way.”
Now she was bobbing her head like some doll. I felt a little sick inside.
“What else did he send?” She didn’t wait for me to open the packages, doing it for me. “Crap. Look at these shoes. And a matching handbag.”
I didn’t turn around, immediately heading toward the bathroom to see the dress in the mirror. I had no idea what to think. It was gorgeous, the most beautiful piece of clothing I’d ever owned. Why did I feel a lump in my throat?
“Girl. You should see the lingerie he bought. I think this guy really likes you.”
As I returned from the bathroom, I also noticed a bottle of wine with two glasses and roses similar to the ones he’d sent me in New York.
Emily followed my line of sight. “I don’t know what to think, but either you’re one lucky girl or you really need to be worried.”
At this point, I thought I knew myself well enough to realize when I shouldn’t be involved in something. Right now, I felt way too much excitement. “He’s not what you think he is.”
“I think he is obsessed with you.”
“He’s just trying to thank me for saving him.”
She dropped the items she’d been holding onto the bed. “Look, I’m no fool here. You spent the night with him because you wanted to. Right?”
A wash of heat rushed to my cheeks. “I’ve never done anything so impulsive in my life.”
“But you enjoyed yourself.”
“Yes.”
“Why?” I could see the little evil look on her face. She could easily detect a lie from thirty feet away.
The moment I allowed images of his face to enter my mind, my heart did flutters just as it had done the night before. “He’s funny, more so than I would have thought. He’s a gentleman, but you gather a sense if anyone had dared try and touch me, he would have cut their hand off. He’s romantic, although I don’t think he’s needed to ply another woman with roses before. He knows wine and the best foods, but doesn’t mind talking about working with his hands. And he’s an impeccable dresser.”
“What about without the clothes?” Her eyebrows were lifted high, the smile more of a smirk.
Damn the woman. Just thinking about him had me hot and bothered. “Let’s just say he’s the best-looking man alive.”
She sighed. “You’re always the lucky one.”
“I just don’t know what to think. He’s also… overwhelming. Dominating.”
“There’s nothing wrong with dominating men as long as they don’t force a woman to do anything against their will. Which I take wasn’t the case.” She had a sly smile on her face. “Plus, you’re going to a public club dressed like a queen. From the buzz I heard, the club is hot right now. Locals and tourists alike can’t wait to have a chance to go. You’ll have fun. Then you can decide if you want to see him again.”
“It might not be that easy.”
“Meaning?”
I walked toward her, gingerly placing the dress on the bed and running my fingers down the eloquent beads. “He wants me to stay with him.”
“In his suite?”
“He has a villa the family purchased. It’s beautiful and not too far from here. He wants to have my things moved there.”
“You do realize we’re flying home in two days. Right?”
Sighing, all I could do was nod.
“You’re smitten with this guy.”
I had to laugh. “Who’s used that word in like twenty years? No one.”
“Fine. You’re hot to trot for him.”
“That’s no better. I like him, Em. I really do, but he lives in Greece and I live in New York.” I didn’t need to belabor the fact he killed people for a living while I saved them. Maybe I was overblowing the situation a tad, but at the end of the day, that was the truth.
“That’s just geographics. Long-distance relationships can work, especially when the guy is rich.”
I gave her a hard glare. “I need wine. Lots of wine.”
“Pour me a glass and tell me why this won’t work. Oh, yes. He’s a mobster and you’re a famous doctor.”
“The famous part isn’t true.”
“Maybe you are now after that article Kat mentioned. Well, then enjoy your time here and make certain he understands what you shared was a lovely fantasy and nothing else.”
“Don’t remind me. Ugh.”
She was right. I knew that in my soul and my mind. Sadly, I wasn’t entirely certain I could convince my heart.
The man was carrying a weapon. To a club opening.
I was instantly reminded again he was a very dangerous man. Not all fairytales had happy endings either. Some of the women, whether they had glass slippers or not, ended up dead. How many Prince Charmings had turned out to be serial killers in the end?
Hadn’t a few of them lured their prey by using fantastical tactics? I shuddered involuntarily from the bantering we’d done about me being Christos’ prey.
He’d arrived at my hotel room like a prince, only one of his men following him. But I’d immediately sensed something was off, as if he’d experienced a difficult situation during the day. I’d yet to ask him about it, but when he scanned the perimeter of the hotel lobby and his man Luca had kept his hand on his jacket, I almost called it off, telling Christos I wasn’t feeling well.
Even now, I was nervous, although I had no reason to be.
“You weren’t kidding about a limousine.” I was also still reeling from the dress and everything else he’d purchased for the night. With a flute of expensive champagne in my hand, I felt like a celebrity, very much out of place.
Christos reached over, placing his hand on my knee and immediately my blood pressure soared. “Only the best.”
“Don’t kid a kidder. You need to look like the king you are when arriving.”
His laugh was as deep as I remembered. “Yes, it’s important to provide an opulent atmosphere from the top down, but someone of your great beauty deserves to be treated like a queen.”
I turned my head, purposely dragging my tongue across my lips. Emily had stayed with me while I’d dressed, even styling the wild mane of hair that I usually tossed in a messy bun. Just walking through the hotel I’d sensed all eyes on us, several people stopping where they were, doing nothing but watching us as we walked out.
He was in a tuxedo and I realized that all men deserved to wear one at least once in their lives. His body was built for the glorious attire. I must have stared at him too long because he started patting down his jacket. With the light from other businesses streaming in through the windows, I finally noticed his knuckles.
“Is something wrong about the jacket? A hair out of place?” he teased.
“What happened to your hand?”
His grin faded slightly as he fisted the one in question, looking down at it seconds later. “It’s nothing.”
“You were in a fight.”
He was debating telling me the truth. I could tell easily. “I was.”
“What happened?”
“Let’s just say I had a disagreement with someone who didn’t like me very much.”
“Did you kill him?”
He took his time leaning forward. “You and I have gotten close, more so than I have with any other women in a very long time. However, it’s best you realize there is a line of questioning that I won’t answer. You don’t need to be burdened with aspects of my business. This night is meant for you to enjoy yourself and for me to have a beautiful woman on my arm.”
I don’t know why his answer made me irritated, but it did. “So I’m just arm candy.”
“I think you know better.”
“Why are you carrying a weapon? Are you afraid it’s going to happen again?”
“I’m a very cautious man.”
“You’re a very dangerous man and you and I come from different worlds. I’m not going back to your villa tonight. I don’t think it’s in my best interest or yours to do so. I’m leaving for New York in two days. You’re eventually heading back to Greece. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you, more so than I should have allowed myself to do. We’re just two different people.”
“What if I’m not ready to let you go?”
I turned to him fully, even taking his hand into mine. “I don’t think you’re the kind of man who will keep me against my will. No, I don’t know you, not really, but I can see kindness in your eyes.”
He half snorted. “You don’t know me very well. Why don’t we talk about this later? We’re almost at the club.”
“There’s nothing to talk about, Christos.”
“You don’t trust me.”
“I don’t know you and you don’t know me. What we’ve shared is amazing. I’ve never been made to feel like I’m so special to someone else. But this can’t go anywhere. Think about it. Really think about it.” I noticed a crowd in the distance and realized we wouldn’t finish this conversation. At least not now.
I wasn’t scared of him in any way, but I was terrified if this went any further, I wouldn’t find the resolve to break free. That just couldn’t happen.
He reached over, wrapping his hand around the side of my neck. “You don’t understand me very well, but at some point, you will. I don’t want you to go, at least not now. You’ve become far too important to me. Just enjoy being at the club and know there’s no one else I’d rather spend an evening with.”
“Just promise me you won’t send my things to your villa unless I give my permission.”
He took a deep breath, studying me for a few seconds. I suddenly felt confined, uncertain how he would respond and that annoyed me. “I will do my best to keep that promise, angel.”
His best. He wasn’t used to anyone telling him no.
There was no denying the man or our intense chemistry, but I was determined that if I didn’t end this now, life in New York would become difficult. I had my work and my family to think about, including my beautiful puppy. No man was worth losing everything I’d worked so hard to achieve.
Maybe if I reminded myself of that a few more times, I’d finally start to believe it.
While I sensed his sincerity, I was committed to returning to my life. Passion was wonderful, the feeling of being alive everything I’d craved, yet he wasn’t going to change and neither was I.
As soon as the limousine pulled up in front of the club, men and women with cameras crowded the vehicle, videos being taken from cellphones and members of the press. I was instantly overwhelmed. Even with my father’s job and the various state dinners I’d attended, nothing had prepared me for the suffocating feeling.
Both Luca and Elias erupted from two doors, immediately driving the crowd away by several feet. The chauffeur got out, immediately opening the door so Christos could exit. He did so with flair, taking the time to button his jacket and smiling as if the spectacle didn’t matter to him. He was used to being in the limelight.
I wasn’t.
I shrank back in the seat, taking shallow breaths as I tried to prepare myself for the onslaught of people. He bent down, peering at me with the same sly smile on his face I’d seen countless times.
“Are you ready, Dr. Laurant?”
“I guess.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be right by your side.”
Why was it that for some reason I feared that more than what I’d soon experience? The moment our fingers touched, I was drawn into his world. If only for one night. The electricity soared as my heart continuously thudded in my chest. If I managed to get through the evening without having a panic attack, I’d give myself kudos.
This wasn’t my life. Not in any way.
Yet I managed to plaster on a smile as he pulled me from the limo, immediately placing his hand on the small of my back.
“Mr. Nomikos. How does it feel to open another club?”
“Mr. Nomikos, are there plans to build additional clubs in Milan?”
“Mr. Nomikos. Who is your companion? Is she your girlfriend?”
The questions were tossed out from all sides while the music pumped loudly from the open doors leading inside the club. There were velvet ropes lining both sides, two rugged-looking men in suits guarding the door. Invitations were being checked and already I noticed people had been sent away, some screaming at not being allowed entrance.
I was overwhelmed, but held my own, even managing to turn my head from left to right as an unknown person got in my face with a camera. Meanwhile, my stomach was in knots. Christos wasn’t rushed, taking his time moving through the crowd as his two men flanked our sides, keeping most at a secure distance.
We inched closer to the door, the pumping vibes almost tribal in nature. I could already see lights in vibrant colors flashing from inside the club.
“Mr. Nomikos. Are we to assume this woman is special in your life?” One reporter with a heavy Italian accent jumped in front of both of us.
I was surprised that neither Christos nor his guards intervened. When Christos stopped only feet from the door, I wrapped my fingers around his arm. Now I was thankful for the dress. The expensive designer frock felt like a mask. I was no longer a hard-working cardiologist from New York. I was a potential love interest for a powerful man.
And our coupling was rocking the news world already. Maybe I should consider this cringeworthy, worried about my picture being in the papers and on the news, but I did my best to take it all in stride. The mask on my face might be invisible, but I tried to take comfort in the fact this was a foreign country. Sadly, there were some people in New York who would connect the dots, discovering my foray into scandalous territory.
I prayed that wouldn’t happen. My father would be mortified.
“My lovely companion is a very special woman in my life. But no wedding bells yet. We’re here to enjoy a fabulous evening with an amazing crowd of people. I hope you’ll be able to enjoy what Club Scandal has to offer such an incredible community. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
Nothing about the man should shock me any longer. When he turned me slightly, cupping my face and lowering his head, I found myself locked into the moment. As if no one else existed. As he captured my mouth, I heard a few oohs and aahs. He was doing this on purpose. I should be incensed, but I grabbed his shirt, pulling him against my heated body.
The kiss was amazing, a wave of excitement building. The man could make any event something special and one I’d remember for months to come. He swept his tongue inside, but only briefly. When he pulled away, his nostrils remained flared. His whisper was enticing, bringing images of moments to come.
“I will have you as mine.”