Chapter 32
CHAPTER 32
T wo days later
Havros
“Good job, gentlemen. The stock is soaring again,” Dimitrios said from his perch at the head of the conference room table.
“With confirmation Bernardi is dead, suddenly other avenues of interest have opened up for locations of our clubs. I have a trip booked to visit Madrid next week.” Christos was proud of himself. “Havros’ idea, by the way.”
“Madrid will be an excellent choice. The numbers are favorable. Are we certain Bernardi’s remains were positively identified?” I asked as I drummed my fingers on the table.
We’d offset a board meeting for weeks in hopes we could regain lost footing. We’d worked long hours to make that happen, one or all of us appearing at various summer festivities, charity events, and even being more vocal on national television. Memories were short and people loved backing a winner.
The time spent had kept my mind off Kara.
She’d been gone for weeks, my thoughts and images of her keeping me awake at night. How many times had I thought about contacting her? More than I could count, but I’d honored her wishes of allowing her to return to her life and work without interference.
And it was killing me.
“We’re certain,” Dimitrios stated. “It took so long because the house was completely obliterated. There’s some sense it was an accident, the gas lines running into the house the reason. I heard there was a leak in the main lines, but I don’t buy it. They were able to identify him by his teeth. What a way to die.”
“Along with half his remaining family and one Capo.” My words held no emotion because his death had given me no satisfaction. But at least the man was dead and gone. I’d yet to hear anything from the Sicilian Don. At some point, I planned on making another visit. The man owed me.
“You don’t sound thrilled.” Christos lifted an eyebrow as he stared at me.
“Just bored, I guess.”
“You mean you’re missing that cute reporter,” Dimitrios teased.
I shrugged and didn’t take the bait he was tossing in my direction. “She’s happy. That’s all I care about.”
“Why lie to yourself, brother? You haven’t been happy since you put her on our jet.”
Dimitrios was right as usual, but at this point, there was no use in lamenting.
“Go to New York and bring her back.” Christos shook his head. “It’s the only way to fix this.”
“I might be many things and I’ve done some terrible deeds in my life, but I’m not adding kidnapping to the list.” I laughed after making the statement since I’d thought of little else.
The door opened and our two other board members walked in. At least they were all smiles.
“Gentlemen, welcome and take a seat,” Dimitrios instructed. “We have much to celebrate.”
Celebrate.
I was happy business was going well, our suffering officially ending, but mine was ongoing. The thought of living without her wasn’t settling with me at all.
As the men sat down, some small talk ensuing, my mind drifted off to the last thing she’d said to me before climbing the stairs onto the plane.
“I’ll never forget the time we shared. You’re very special, Havros. Never forget underneath those layers of armor is a very good man, a loving man. I’ll miss you.”
She’d kissed me on the cheek and never looked back. Meanwhile, I’d stood on the tarmac, waiting until I lost sight of her plane before walking away.
I certainly wasn’t a good man, no matter how many times she’d insisted that I was. Yet with her, I was a decent man striving to learn how to live. She’d brought the light into my world. Now the darkness had returned.
“Are you with us down there, Havros?” my older brother asked. The wry smile on his face was also one of knowing. My guess was the man could read my damn mind.
“Right here. Let’s get started.”
The thirty-minute proposed meeting turned into nearly an hour. Three phone calls had dropped into my voicemail. While I hadn’t been rude and pulled out my phone, I was itching to get the hell out of there. At least when I was alone I could grieve in peace.
Grieve.
She was alive and healthy, living life to the fullest and I was grieving like some caveman.
As soon as the meeting was over, I hopped up, not bothering to shake the board members’ hands. We’d worked together for far too long to care about such formalities. I headed out to the hallway, immediately reaching for my phone.
Jonas had left a message. So had Alexander Dumas from Paris. Fuck him. I would never return to the city.
Not without Kara beside me.
Well, fuck. That wasn’t going to happen.
I was taking long strides toward the elevator when I finally noticed the identity of the third caller. I was no longer shocked at my reactions when I heard Kara’s name mentioned or came across something that reminded me of her.
She’d left a message.
After almost five weeks, she’d made contact. And I’d been in a goddamn business meeting. I pressed listen, avoiding the elevator and turning down another hallway to have some privacy. The sound of her voice ignited the cool, dark embers.
“Havros. It’s me. Kara. I just… Well, I hadn’t heard your voice and I admit it, I missed you.” She laughed, but I could instantly tell something was wrong. “Anyway, I’m coming to Greece. We need to talk and I don’t want to do it over the phone. I haven’t figured out what flight I’ll be on, but I’ll let you know once I book it. It’ll be good to see you again.”
That was it. She didn’t say goodbye, but I did hear a glitch in her voice.
“There you are, bro. I’m glad I caught up with you.” Dimitrios was right beside me.
I said nothing, still staring at the transcript of the message she’d left.
“Earth to Havros. What’s wrong?”
Lifting my head, I broke out in a cold sweat. “She’s coming back to Kolonaki.”
“Who? Kara?”
I nodded.
“For how long?”
“I don’t know.”
He clapped me on the back of the shoulder. “Brother. One piece of advice. Don’t allow her to get away again. You love her. Admit it to yourself and stop sulking. Woo her back. Kidnap and hold her hostage. I don’t care how you decide to do it. Just do it or you’ll spend the rest of your life regretting it.”
“Wise words from a lovesick man.”
“Try it, my friend. You might like it.”
“What the fuck?” I pulled the phone away from my ear, hitting play one more time.
“What’s wrong, boss?” Jonas asked.
“Hi there. I’m on my way. I’ll be there around five your time. I’m arriving on flight number… And I… So if you…”
“Goddamn it. Kara’s message is garbled.”
“Do you have any idea where she’s flying into?”
“None.”
“I’ll check the flights into Athens coming in from New York,” he told me, immediately heading from my office.
I jerked up from my chair, tossing the phone onto my desk and shoving my hands into my pockets. We’d missed each other in phone calls. I’d been planning on heading over myself in the jet, bringing her back and insisting she stay.
Not being able to get in touch with her had kept me on edge for almost twenty-four hours. I checked my watch. It was already almost three-thirty. If I didn’t learn her flight within thirty minutes, I would head to the Athens airport, searching the entire goddamn bank of buildings until I found her.
If she wasn’t on the flight, I’d keep trying to contact her. How had I missed the damn call? I was furious with myself. I was also excited about seeing her again. I’d made a few calls. She’d made a deal with HBO. I was so damn proud of her, I had plans on taking her out to dinner to celebrate.
She deserved the attention and every accolade received. However, I’d taken what Dimitrios had told me to heart.
I wasn’t the kind of man to allow something so precious to slip through my fingers.
She was mine and not just for this trip.
But forever.
Kara
Another perfect flight.
Another beautiful day.
As I waited for my bags to come down the carousel, I realized how nervous I was. Seeing him again had been the only thing I’d truly wanted, yet right now, the ache inside was only increasing. It felt as if I had a vise around my neck cutting off my air supply.
I thought about calling Havros, but figured I’d surprise him. I’d managed to catch an earlier flight, even being bumped up to first class. I deserved it after all the hard work and long hours I’d put in.
With my bags in sight, I glanced around trying to locate a rental car facility. I’d never rented a car in a foreign country, but I needed to continue stepping out of my comfort zone. I snagged the two bags, placing one on top of the other and pulling the handle. As I rolled through the airport, I continued thinking about the sound of Havros’ voice on the two messages he’d left.
I’d heard excitement, but also apprehension. I’d meant what I’d told him. We did need to talk and doing so over the phone wouldn’t be fair to either one of us. I’d pushed off two meetings and had basically taken a short leave of absence, promising to return.
Yet even now, I had no clue what I wanted to do.
The airport was busy and I had to push my way through scores of people eagerly heading out or meeting with loved ones. I did want that more than anything. Just to have a family meant the world to me.
I’d figure out what I wanted to do eventually, but it would need to be in the next couple of days. That was the fair thing to do. I headed down an escalator after seeing a sign for rental cars. Before making a left, I noticed a man standing outside holding a sign with my name on it. Several cars were lined up next to the curb including two big black limos.
My stomach did flipflops as I walked outside. “I’m Kara Banning.” Instantly, my sixth sense was raised.
“Ms. Banning. Havros Nomikos sent me as your driver.”
Wait a minute. I checked my watch. It was almost four. I was an hour earlier than I’d originally said. “You knew what time my flight was due in?”
“Of course. I have a car waiting.”
Oh, my God. It was the man I’d seen in New York on the street. I was positive of it.
Fear swept up my spine and I moved backward by a couple of steps. “Bullshit. You’re lying. I arrived early and Havros has no idea.” I spun around quickly, trying to get away, immediately dialing Havros’ number. I made it just inside the second he answered the phone.
“Havros!”
Havros
“Havros!” Kara. Her voice was high pitched, breathless, and full of terror.
“Kara. What’s wrong?” I immediately tensed. “Talk to me.”
Jonas walked into the room, immediately on alert. I’d fisted my hand, holding it against my forehead. My pulse raced, rage sweeping through me. She was being attacked.
I felt her pain. Her fear.
I was to blame.
“Someone is here. They’re after me. I’m trying to get away, but?—”
I heard her muffled scream as if a hand had been placed over her mouth. “What the fuck is going on?”
The sounds were still muffled, but it was obvious Kara was being taken. I also overheard a voice on a loudspeaker. She was in the airport. She’d fucking arrived early. “Kara!”
A door slammed and in the background I could tell she was struggling. The phone was still active. Tires screeched. They were inside a vehicle. Jesus Christ.
“Kara!”
Suddenly, all was quiet. Then a man’s voice.
“Havros Nomikos. You will pay for your sins just like your brothers. I will enjoy every moment of getting to know every inch of the woman who means so very much to you. Sadly, there won’t be anything left of her to return.”
His laugh was evil and deep.
“Bernardi. If you hurt her, I will kill you.”
“You’ve tried and failed. Now you can live with the pain of losing the one thing you loved. Say goodbye, Havros. Say something to your lover, Kara.”
“Havros!”
As the call ended, I slowly fell to my knees. “No!”