Chapter Fifteen #2
Panos really did trust her, despite Charlie’s sudden appearance. She’d been stupid to worry.
‘That sounds like a plan.’
* * *
The next day her optimism was tested.
It began when she walked into the bedroom to discover Panos on the phone. One glance at her and his expression changed, becoming unreadable, as if he were suddenly on guard. A second later he ended the call. When he turned towards her, he smiled though his eyes were wary.
An hour later Evadne, who’d come with them to Athens, mentioned that her niece, Athena’s babysitter, was returning that evening, having cut short a break to visit her family.
‘There’s no need for that,’ Dido protested. ‘We can manage until she’s due back.’
Evadne, busy preparing a meal, shook her head. ‘She’ll be needed. Panos wants her back for when you’re not—’ The older woman sucked in a breath and fumbled her spatula.
‘When I’m not what?’
For the first time since they’d met, Evadne’s smile looked forced, her gaze dipping away. ‘Ignore me. I don’t know what I was saying. I was prattling and got confused.’
Dido frowned. Evadne never prattled. As for getting confused…the woman not only ran the household like clockwork but also managed the staffing and maintenance of Panos’ other residences.
But when she pressed, the housekeeper merely said she’d been told the babysitter would be needed and didn’t know any more.
That was confusing as they had no major engagements in Athens.
The press were beginning to clamour for details about their relationship but so far Panos had kept their continued presence in Athens under the radar.
She shivered. That couldn’t last. Not now Charlie knew where they were. If he couldn’t persuade Panos to part with money, he’d probably concoct a story to sell to the press.
Dido was fretting over that as she put Athena down for a nap then padded barefoot to find Panos. She needed to warn him. Hearing his deep murmur, she made for the study.
‘I don’t care what it takes,’ Panos said.
‘But it must be done discreetly. I don’t want my wife guessing.
’ Dido’s pace slowed near the door that stood just a crack open.
‘I’ve recalled the babysitter. She and Evadne will take care of Athena and I want your best team protecting them.
No one gets to her. Absolutely no one, understand? ’
Dido blinked, her nape tightening at Panos’ urgency. He sounded worried. What could stress him so much? And what was that about not letting anyone get in?
‘As to the other, I’ve taken legal advice. There’ll be no difficulty enforcing a complete separation.’
A complete separation? Was he talking about them?
Dido’s palms hit the wall as her knees gave way. Nausea churned as she fought rising panic.
She couldn’t believe it. Didn’t want to believe it.
Panos was talking to his head of security about keeping their daughter safe. But he didn’t want Dido to know about that. And he planned a separation.
She clamped a hand to her mouth to stifle a horrified gasp. Was it possible? Had Panos again decided she was in cahoots with Charlie? That she was after his money? Her vision misted and her chest burned as she struggled to take it in.
Dido thought of yesterday and the emotional bond she’d been convinced they shared. Their talk of having more children. Of the life they’d lead together. They’d spent the night entwined together, sometimes making love but sometimes simply cuddling.
She’d believed Panos trusted her. That they’d moved on and begun to build a stronger relationship. Was his belief in her so weak that a single intervention by her horrible half-brother had destroyed that?
Something splintered in her chest. Had that been a lie? A smokescreen so she didn’t guess Panos mistrusted her? Was he going to separate her from their daughter?
An inner voice cried that it wasn’t possible. Panos wasn’t that man any more. Her mouth firmed as her mind raced.
* * *
Panos heard a noise from the doorway and looked up. His heart leapt at the sight of Dido, alluring in a summer dress that buttoned down the front. He was imagining tugging those buttons undone when he caught her expression.
He shot to his feet and around the desk. ‘What is it? What’s happened?’
‘I should ask you that.’ She stepped into the room but stopped short of taking his outstretched hand. ‘I overheard your conversation.’
His heart sank. Hell! So much for secrecy. All those careful plans… ‘How much did you hear?’
Desperately he tried to remember exactly what he’d said.
Her chin rose, expression remote. ‘That you wanted Athena out of the way and kept safe from all comers. That you didn’t want me to know your plans.’ She paused as if waiting for him to speak. ‘And,’ she said slowly, ‘that you had legal advice on a separation.’
Panos stared. His blood chilled and dismay swirled through his belly, bile rising in his gullet. He took in her rigid stance and closed expression.
Panic exploded. A fear so great he’d never known its like. Because in that moment he realised how precarious their relationship was. Dido still didn’t trust him. He’d hurt her so grievously before, what had he expected?
Swiftly he moved between her and the door. ‘It’s not what it seems. Hear me out.’
‘Go on then.’
She looked aloof, as if she’d already withdrawn from him. The idea pierced his heart. Their truce was recent, their relationship so fragile, had she decided not to give him a second chance?
At least she wasn’t running for the exit. Yet.
That was a positive. Setting his shoulders, he moved closer. But for once in his life he couldn’t conquer the fear rippling like a current under his skin. Fear that after he’d treated her so appalling before, she’d dismiss his explanation and him.
That he couldn’t bear. Because she meant everything.
He’d known for some time, but facing that guarded stare, knowing he’d inadvertently jeopardised her trust, made the realisation acute. Should he blurt out his feelings and hope she believed him? Or did he ease her fears first with explanations?
Explanations. They were easier and, he realised, he was scared to reveal his feelings. After so long denying them, he wasn’t ready. Wasn’t sure how she felt. He had so much to atone for.
Relationships, real, intimate relationships were a foreign country to him.
Panos grabbed her hands. They were icy.
‘I know it sounds bad but it’s not what you think.’ He grimaced. ‘When I mentioned a separation I wasn’t talking about us. This is about your brother.’
‘Half-brother.’
He shrugged. ‘I hate the fact there’s any connection between him and you. He doesn’t deserve that.’
If Panos had expected her expression to soften he was disappointed.
‘You don’t have to worry about him anymore.
I’ve been investigating him thoroughly since I learnt he’d cheated you.
I’ve discussed the matter with the best lawyers.
’ Given the recent problem with his own team, he’d taken the precaution of getting a second opinion.
He’d leave nothing to chance. ‘I’m taking action to keep him permanently away from you and Theeny.
He won’t be able to approach either of you. ’
Her pupils dilated. ‘That’s what you were talking about when you said you were organising a separation?’
Panos nodded. ‘Perhaps I phrased it badly. I was so angry.’
‘And that’s what you told him in the street?’
He wished he could read her tone. His heart thudded as he waited for her reaction.
‘That’s right. I told him he’d pay if he tried to approach you. I also warned him action was already underway to retrieve the money he stole from you. I’ve had staff working on that for a while.’
Dido stared. ‘There’s no need. It was so long ago and we have enough.’
‘There’s every need,’ he corrected. ‘He took what wasn’t his. I’ll get it back for you, or what’s left of it. He’s on the verge of bankruptcy. It’s up to you whether you keep it or give it away.’
He watched his beloved take that in, felt the shudder pass through her. Relief?
Despite his fear, Panos couldn’t go another second without knowing how she felt about him. ‘I refuse to let him get away with hurting the woman I love.’
He almost winced at her stunned expression.
Surely he could have done better. That was no suave, persuasive declaration, yet he hadn’t been able to keep it in any longer.
Silently he cursed his lifelong struggle to acknowledge and share his emotions. He’d been so closed off for so long. Dealing with feelings, much less talking about them, was new to him.
Would she give him the chance to get better at it?
Breathing deep, ignoring the nervous hammer of his pulse, he smoothed his palms over her hands as if to rub heat into them. ‘I’m sorry you heard my conversation and misunderstood. But I’m telling the truth. Whatever my faults I’ve never lied to you, Dido. I never will.’
Dido shook her head, like a swimmer trying to clear water from her ears. ‘You…love me?’
‘Ne. S’agapo.’ Yes. I love you.
Looking into her dazed eyes, English deserted him. When her fingers moved in his, curling tight, he pulled her close and murmured endearments in his own tongue. My sweet. My eyes. My heart.
He raised her hand to his lips, tasting her warmth and sweet honeyed vanilla. Nothing in the whole world tasted better than Dido.
She swayed and he wrapped his other arm around her but she shook her head. ‘I thought you wanted a convenient marriage. We have a child. Wasn’t this, us, an extension of that? A basis for raising a family.’
Panos hid dismay at her words. It’s what he’d once said he wanted, but it turned out he was greedy. He needed Dido, heart and soul.
‘I do want a family, but only with you, Dido. I love you with my whole heart.’ It got easier to say each time. He’d shout it to the world if it would convince her. ‘We’re building something real and good. Surely you feel that too. All I ask is—’
Her fingertips on his mouth stopped his words. ‘Don’t you want to know how I feel?’
He was strong enough to bear this. He had to be. ‘Tell me.’
Never had a second stretched so long.