The Greek's Long-Lost Son (10 page)

“Wh-what are you going to do?” She stumbled over the words.

His eyes narrowed. “What you’d like me to do.”

“Get her and tickle her, Papa. She hates to be tickled.”

“Traitor!”

“Thanks for the tip, son.” Except that Theo already knew about her ticklish side.

“No, Theo…Please.”

He came at her anyway with a frightening growl. While she tried to dodge him, Iola came to the door with an anxious look. “Is everything all right?”

“No.” Stella grinned. “I’m getting tickled to death.”

The housekeeper’s frown actually turned into a smile. Stella couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen one of those from her.

“Good night, but keep the noise down so people around here can sleep!”

“Sorry, Iola,” Theo called out. Ari echoed him.

Stella turned to the men. “I’ll say good night, too.”

“Don’t go yet,” Theo whispered, but she didn’t dare linger. Quick as lightning she grabbed the pants before closing the door. Tomorrow she’d press them.

After giving Iola a hug, she went to her room but couldn’t imagine how she would get to sleep after being thoroughly kissed in Theo’s arms. The knowledge that they’d be spending tomorrow together caused her body to ache with longing. And trepidation, too.

They were going to church tomorrow to meet Theo’s family, and the only reason she was going to be introduced to them after all these years was because of Ari. His parents had never approved of his association with Stella. Knowing that, Theo had never taken her home to meet them. It was all very sad.

She could only hope they would learn to tolerate her for Ari’s sake. No matter what Theo might have told them, Stella was the reason Theo had left Greece in the first place. That wouldn’t exactly have endeared her to them, but Ari would win them over.

When Theo had returned to Greece, he’d received a blessing from his oldest brother, who was one of the priests at the church in the Plaka near the cathedral. To Theos mind, Hektor had never looked more impressive than in his vestments.

Their reunion had been a heartwarming one. They had spent part of the day together catching up on each other’s lives. There was laughter and weeping followed by a serious talk about Stella and Ari. Theo promised his brother that when and if he could, he would bring them both to the church to meet him.

That day had come.

Following the mass, his brother had invited Theo’s family into his private study in the old house next to the church. He shared it with two other priests who had apartments there.

“Come in here.”

Theo was the last to enter the room with Stella and Ari. He was proud to be able to introduce them. Like his son, he’d dressed in a navy suit that went with the sobriety of the occasion. Stella looked a vision in a summery two-piece hyacinth suit, elegantly tailored. Her coloring added to the picture of classy femininity.

He ushered them over to the couch where the family had congregated. Theo’s parents couldn’t take their eyes off Stella and Ari. His brothers and their families were equally dazzled.

“As you can all see, I brought a surprise today,” Theo began. “Stella? Ari? I’d like you to meet my family starting with my mother, Ariadne, and my father, Gregory.”

His mother beamed at both of them. “I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.”

“I have, too,” Stella responded quietly.

Her gaze rested on her grandson. “You and I have the same name.”

“I know.” Ari smiled as he moved around the room with Stella to shake everyone’s hand.

Theo’s father studied him. “You look so much like my Theo, I think I’m seeing things.”

“We have the same peak,” Ari said, pointing to his hair. Everyone laughed.

“This is my brother Dymas, his wife Lina and their children, Calli, Dori and Spiro.”

Ari eyed his older cousins. “Hi.”

“Hi,” they all said in turn.

“This is my brother Spiro, his wife, Minta, and their children Phyllis, Roxane and Leandros.”

Ari looked at Theo before he said, “He’s the one my age, huh.”

“Right. You’re both six going on a hundred.”

Everyone laughed again.

“Last but not least, my oldest brother Hektor, Father Matthias.”

Ari walked up to him and shook his hand. “Papa said he misses you a lot.”

Hektor seemed moved. “I’m not supposed to admit it, but I miss all of my family, too.”

“Do you like being a priest?”

He smiled. “Very much. I’m so happy you and your father have been united. He didn’t know he had a son. What a wonderful present to come home to. He loves you very much.”

“I love him, too!”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to give you a blessing. Is that all right with you?”

Ari nodded.

It was a short blessing, sweet and it brought a lump to Theo’s throat. He eyed Stella out of the corner of his eye. Her head was bowed. He could tell the words had touched her, too.

After a few more minutes they all said goodbye and climbed into two limos Theo had provided for the family. He and Stella rode with his parents and Ari. They headed to Salamis. During the drive everyone got a little better acquainted. His father laughed more than he’d heard him in a long time.

By the time they ate dinner at the
taverna,
spirits were high. Theo could tell Stella and Ari were enjoying themselves. His son went off with Leandros for a little while, breaking the ice even more.

Stella chatted with his sisters-in-law about their children. The subject was something they could all
relate to. As far as he could tell, there were no uncomfortable moments.

“It was a good beginning, don’t you think?” Theo asked Stella during their trip back to Athens via the linking road from Perama to the mainland. She was seated across from him next to Ari.

“We had a wonderful time.” With Ari along, she couldn’t ask Theo how his parents really felt.

“Yeah, but I wish I didn’t have to wear this suit all day long.”

Theo threw his head back and laughed. “You’re so much like me it hurts. I promise you won’t have to wear one until we go to church again.”

He eyed Theo soberly. “Do you like church?”

Stella glanced at him, waiting to hear his answer.

“Honestly?”

Ari nodded.

“I don’t exactly like it, but I always feel better after I’ve gone.”

“Is that how you feel, too, Mom?”

Now the shoe was on the other foot. He grinned while she decided what to say.

“Yes.”

“But how did you feel when you were my age?”

She chuckled. “I didn’t like it all that much.”

“You see why I loved your mother so much, Ari? We think alike.”

“I bet you wouldn’t tell Hektor that.”

“He knew how I felt when I was little because I squirmed all the time. I didn’t have to say anything.”

“He was nice. So are my grandparents.”

“I’m glad you feel that way because they’re crazy about you.”

“They want me to come and see them next week. Grandma said I could help them in the kitchen.”

“Would you like that?”

“I’d love it!”

“Then we’ll definitely go over. While your mom and I have dinner, you can serve us before we have to leave for our class.”

“That would be awesome. Leandros wishes he could come with us.”

“Maybe sometime we can arrange it. We’ll have to check with the staff at the college. Does he like UFO stuff?”

“Yeah. He’s pretty cool.”

High praise. Theo’s cup was running over tonight.

“Can you sleep at our house again tonight, Papa?” They’d just driven up in front of the villa.

Without looking at Stella he said, “I have a much better idea. Since your mother still has ten days of vacation left, why don’t the three of us take our own vacation on St. Thomas? I haven’t been on a real one in years. I can promise you we’ll never run out of things to do.”

Ari looked like he was going to burst with joy. “Could we, Mom?”

Theo could tell he’d surprised Stella with his suggestion, but knowing she would have to think about it, he would give her the time because it had been a perfect day and he refused to ruin it.

“Tell you what, Ari. I have some business to do and will probably work at my office until I pick you up for our class tomorrow. Afterward, we’ll fly to St. Thomas, that is if your mother approves.”

“Can we, Mom? Please?”

“I…I think that sounds exciting,” her voice faltered.

Until she’d said the words, Theo hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath. “While you guys pack, I’ll get my work out of the way so I can concentrate on you for the next ten days.”

“I can’t wait, but I wish I could come to your office and see what you do.”

“Another time and you can. We’ve got the rest of our lives, Ari.”

“Your father’s right,” Stella interjected. “He’s a busy man and you have to respect that.”

“What are you going to do tomorrow, Mom?”

“Lots of errands to get ready for our trip.”

“I’d rather go with you in our new car.”

As she laughed, her eyes happened to meet Theo’s. For the first time he felt they were communicating like they once did, sharing the same joy. It was a moment he wanted to freeze.

If he weren’t afraid of losing the ground he’d gained, he would take her and Ari to St. Thomas in the morning, but he didn’t want to push Stella. Though his work could wait, he pretended otherwise and kept silent, endeavoring to avoid Ari’s pleading look. Nothing would please him more than to keep Ari at his office with him, but again, Stella needed time to get used to Theo being in her life again.

Once he’d undone his seat belt, he got out to help them to the front door. “Good night, son.” He gave Ari a bear hug.

“Sleep well, Stella.” He darted her a penetrating glance before getting back in the limo. After the day they’d spent together, he didn’t dare touch her.

W
HILE
Stella got ready for bed, her mind was on Theo. Today had been a great highlight for her meeting his family, going to church with them. But when he’d brought her and Ari home, she’d sensed a certain reticence on his part to linger. It was impossible to know what was going on inside him. She was afraid, but didn’t know of what exactly.

Yes she did. Deep down she knew he didn’t want to tell her about her father. Theo was afraid that when he shared that with her, it would devastate her. Maybe it would when confronted with the irrefutable proof, but her austere father had passed on. What was important was Ari’s relationship with Theo. No one could hurt that now.

Before she slipped under the covers, she reached for her phone to check any messages. Afraid it would ring while they were in church, she’d turned it off and had forgotten about it. When she looked now, she noticed three from Rachel. Each one begged her to call immediately, no matter how late.

Fearing this had to do with her pregnancy, Stella phoned. Rachel answered right away. “Thank you for calling!” she cried anxiously.

She clutched the phone tighter. “Is there something wrong with the baby?”

“No. Stella—why didn’t you tell us about Theo while you were here? When Nikos flew back from St. Thomas the other night, it was all he could talk about.”

A band constricted her lungs. “It’s exactly for that reason I didn’t want anyone to know anything.”

“Know what?”

Rachel was Stella’s oldest, closest friend. She trusted her with her life. Without preamble she told her everything. When she’d finished, the silence on the other end was deafening.

“Rachel? Are you still there?”

“Yes. Oh, Stella—”

“I know what you’re thinking, but…I trust him. He was beaten up. You can see the damage. I think my father had something to do with it.”

“You’re kidding—”

“No. I’ve had time to think it all out. At the right moment, I’ll get the truth from Theo. In the meantime, don’t tell Stasio my suspicions. He revered father so much, it could really hurt him.” In fact, the truth would hurt him a lot more than it was hurting Stella right now.

“You honestly believe Theo, don’t you.”

“Yes, Rachel. You’d have to see him with Ari to understand.”

“Well if it’s good enough for you, then it is for me, too.”

Tears welled up. “Thank you, dear friend. You couldn’t possibly know what that means to me.”

“Your happiness is everything. Stasio feels the same way. Unfortunately, Nikos keeps talking about your parents and how upset they would be if they knew you’d been seeing him again. He blames your father’s heart
attack on your association with Theo. Maybe Nikos was in your father’s confidence.”

“I’m thinking the same thing,” she whispered. “The point is, it happened a long time ago. With father gone, this is no longer any of Nikos’s business. Not that it ever was, but if father told Nikos how he felt about Theo, then it makes a sick kind of sense.”

“I agree. Is it true Theo owns that new resort on St. Thomas?”

“Yes.”

“You might as well hear the rest, then. Nikos told Stasio he believes Theo is tied to underworld crime, otherwise he couldn’t possibly have made that kind of money, not when he didn’t have a drachma to his name.”

Outraged, Stella cried, “Where did he come up with such a ludicrous accusation?”

“I don’t know.”

Stella rubbed her temple where she felt an ache. “Theo has been out of the country for six years working his head off to build a successful career. Nikos is only making wild accusations because his own business plans didn’t turn out to be successful.”

“I’m sure jealousy enters into it. Stasio’s been trying to reason with him, but Nikos insists he’s going to have Theo investigated.”

“What? That’s crazy.”

“You’re right. Poor Renate has no influence over him right now. She wants to go back to Switzerland, but he won’t hear of it. He won’t even talk to me, but then he never did like me so that’s no news.”

Nikos had never approved of Rachel, though he’d had to pretend to get along with her because she was Stasio’s wife. At this point Stella feared the worst. “Nikos isn’t
behaving rationally right now. You should have seen him. He didn’t care that Ari and Dax were watching.”

“How awful. Listen…when Stasio comes up to bed, I’ll tell him you’re waiting for his call. He’ll be relieved you’re available to talk.”

“Okay. Love you, Rachel. Take care of yourself.”

“Ditto.”

They hung up before she realized she hadn’t even asked her sister-in-law about her nausea. She eased herself down under the covers and waited for Stasio’s call, but he didn’t phone for another half hour. It was after midnight when she finally said hello to him.

“I’m so sorry you had to find out about Theo through Nikos. I wanted to handle this myself before I told you.”

“I understand. My whole concern is for you.”

“I know that. The point is, Theo is back in Greece and he wants to be a father to Ari. He’s not asking for anything else. I have to tell you he’s done nothing but be wonderful to Ari and me. As I told Rachel, he said he’d been accosted before he could meet me at the church that night, and then he could never find me again.

“He sent me a letter that was sent back to him saying addressee unknown. I saw it with my own eyes. According to him someone tried to destroy our love. I…I believe him, Stasio, even though he hasn’t told me everything.”

“Did you read what the letter said?”

She shivered. “No. I was too angry at the time, but while I’m on St. Thomas, I’ll ask him to let me see it.”

“When are you going there again?”

“Tomorrow. I’ll stay in touch with you while we’re gone. As for Nikos, please don’t tell him where I am.” Stella had made a decision. “After our vacation I’m going to find a new place to live. As long as Nikos con
tinues to stay at the villa when he comes to Athens, it’s not a place I want to be.”

After they got back from their vacation, if her brother ever came near her or Ari or Theo again with threats of any kind, then she’d call Costas, their family attorney, and have a restraining order put on him.

“Stella…you have every right to be upset. Before things go any further, let’s meet in the morning on Andros to talk.”

“You mean with Nikos?”

“Yes. It can’t hurt anything. If you include him, he’ll see you’ve forgiven him for his outburst on St. Thomas. When he learns that Theo wants to be a father to his son, he’ll settle down enough to be more reasonable.”

“No he won’t, Stasio. He’s never fully accepted Ari. Knowing Theo is back in Ari’s life is only going to make him more unpleasant to be around. I won’t let him hurt my son.”

“I’ll try to reason with him one more time.”

“Thank you for that. I love you, Stasio.”

“I love you, too. If Theo is all the things you believe he is and he can make Ari happy, then I couldn’t ask more for you. When you never developed an interest in another man, I prayed Theo might come back to you.”

Her eyes smarted. The kisses they’d exchanged over the last few days might have rocked her to the foundations, but these were still early days in their tentative relationship. “I…I’m not sure about that, but I do know he wants to father Ari from now on.”

“Six years is a long time to be out of his life,” Stasio murmured, “but it’s never too late. A boy needs his own father if he’s lucky enough to have him.”

Stasio was talking about their father of course. Her brother was a saint. To have his blessing was all that
mattered to Stella. Now that he knew everything, she felt free and couldn’t wait to see Theo tomorrow.

“Kyrie Pantheras?”

Theo was on an overseas call. “What is it?” he asked his secretary.

“There’s a courier from the court here with a summons. You have to sign for it.”

He’d been expecting it. Nikos Athas hadn’t wasted any time. “Send him in.”

Theo made his excuses to the other man on the phone and hung up. In a minute the courier entered his office. Theo walked over to him. “I understand you have a summons for me?”

“Yes. If you’ll sign and date it, please.”

After he’d written his signature, he was given the envelope. Theo closed the door and walked over to the window to open the document.

Pantheras
vs
Athas.

Now that Nikos was back in the picture, Theo had tripled the security on himself, his family, not to mention Stella and Ari. Nikos had tried to destroy them once before. It could happen again. He wouldn’t put anything past him and wasn’t about to take any chances.

Nikos must have been born with a twisted mind.

This summons was what the six years of hard work, sacrifice and preparation had all been about. Theo was more than ready to take on Stella’s brother. Since being with her again, heaven knew he hadn’t wanted it to come to this, but after bumping into Nikos on St. Thomas, their chance meeting had escalated the situation to a white-hot point.

Theo tapped the paper against his cheek. Stasio Athas’s name wasn’t on the suit. At this point he began to think he’d been totally wrong about Stella’s oldest brother. Stasio had been the one to take her to New York and look after her. He’d been the one to come to Ari’s rescue when he and Rachel had been kidnapped. Stella loved Stasio.

He moved over to his desk and phoned Nestor. “I just received a summons from Nikos Athas out of Costas Paulos’s office. Who is he?”

“The Athas family attorney. Read me what it says.”

After Theo complied, Nestor grunted. “I’ll answer it and be in touch with you.”

“Thank you. As you know, I don’t want a court fight. Do everything you can to prevent it.”

“That may not be possible. Costas is one of the best there is and could hold sway over the judge.”

“When I made inquiries, I was told you were one of the best, but whatever happens, keep me posted. I’ll be on vacation for the next ten days.”

“Enjoy yourself. You deserve it.”

“Thanks, Nestor.”

With that out of the way, Theo couldn’t wait to leave the office. He had plans for the three of them, plans he was praying would change his entire life.

The resort’s swimming pool resembled an aqua-blue lake. At one end was the giant slide Theo had told the boys about. Ari had been going down it all afternoon. Stella had taken quite a few turns herself and was worn-out. The hike to the top of the slide provided a work out all its own.

Theo never seemed to tire. He and Ari had thought up a dozen different ways to descend. Her boy was in heaven. If she didn’t miss her guess, Theo was, too.

Ari ran over to the stairs. “I’m coming down on my stomach next time, Papa!”

Theo grinned. “Be sure and keep your head up. I’m waiting for you!”

“This is the last one for today, honey,” Stella called to him from the sun lounger. “You and your father have your star-gazing class tonight. You need to eat dinner before you go.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot.”

As he scrambled up the steps, Stella’s gaze drifted to Theo who stood at the bottom of the serpentine slide to watch for him. Every female in the vicinity had their eyes on him, but Theo appeared oblivious. He and Ari were having too much fun.

Stella had brought out a book to read, but she kept looking at the same page over and over again because all she’d done was stare at the dark-haired male no other man compared to. One day Ari would grow up to be every bit as gorgeous and arresting. It gave her a thrill to know she was with Theo, that Ari was their son.

Several females cast her an envious glance. One woman who’d walked over to this part of the pool in a minuscule bikini made a play for him, engaging him in conversation. Stella felt so territorial she
wanted to push her into the water, but of course she didn’t do it. For one thing, Theo would know without a doubt her attraction to him had reached a dangerously strong level.

Close your eyes, Stella. Don’t look at him.

Ari’s life had become complete with the advent of his father’s vital presence. His unqualified show of love for their son should be enough for Stella. Theo’s private life was something else again.

They’d been here four days already. Once this vacation was over, she would get an apartment in the same neighborhood and life would get back to a new kind of normalcy. She’d go back to her work. So would he. Theo had talked about wanting a relationship with her, but they needed to go slowly.

In the meantime she had to put up with other women eyeing him. His kind of charisma brought the females running, just like the one with the tanned body and flowing blond hair still talking to him while he watched for Ari.

Since Theo seemed to be enjoying the attention, Stella decided she’d watched the spectacle long enough. After putting the book in her bag, she slipped on her beach coverup and headed inside the hotel where she wouldn’t have to undergo more torture.

Certain things had changed since six years ago when Theo had never done anything to make her jealous. But that was when they’d been young lovers hiding from their families in order to be together. Everything was different now.

As she let herself in the room adjoining Theo’s penthouse suite, a shaft of pain robbed her of breath because a part of her didn’t want things to be different. In her heart of hearts she longed to be in his arms again. She
ached for that fulfillment he’d brought to her life while they’d shut out the rest of the world.

But you could never go back. She didn’t want to revisit all the pain that followed after he’d disappeared. Somehow she had to learn to survive with him back in Ari’s life, but maybe not hers! Much to Ari’s chagrin this special time with him on St. Thomas wouldn’t last much longer, but it would be the very best antidote for the illness slowly killing her.