The Greek's Long-Lost Son (9 page)

Years ago every girl at church had woven a fantasy about him. Stella hadn’t been able to believe it when he’d sit behind her in Sunday school and whisper things to her while the priest gave a lesson. When they went into mass, he’d sit in the same row and lean forward so he could smile at her.

Whatever activity, he came and made certain they were together in some capacity. Her friends thought he was sexy and told her how lucky she was. Stella knew it, but with her family looking on, she had to be careful they didn’t find out what was happening.

When the church had put on a festival to raise money, he had chosen her as his partner to perform a folk dance. There were practices and they had to wear costumes. The thrill of those moments while they got ready for the
big night still set her pulse racing. He’d dance too close and kiss her hair. Theo drove her crazy with all his attention. She loved him with a passion that broke down her inhibitions.

Their son, Ari, sitting next to her was proof that she’d loved Theo body and soul. She hadn’t been able to hold back her desire. That period had been filled with the greatest ecstasy imaginable. Then it had ended so abruptly in one night, something in her had died.

She realized she’d been dead for years. Now suddenly he was back. Despite the things she didn’t know, something inside her had leaped to life again, portending something bigger and brighter than before. Yesterday in the cabin on the ferry, she’d forgotten everything in the sheer joy of being in his arms again.

“Stella?” The voice infiltrating her body jerked her from her intimate thoughts.

“What is it?”

“We’ve landed.” So they had. “The boys have run ahead to set up our golf game.” She noticed that the pilot and Boris had already exited, too. “Do you need help?”

He looked as if he was going to come back and start removing the straps one kiss at a time. Her cheeks grew warm at the direction of her thoughts. If someone saw them…“No, thank you. I can manage.”

After unstrapping herself, she moved to the entrance where he swung her to the ground. He did it slowly, causing her body to slide down his, creating delicious heat between them. Yesterday they’d had the life jackets between them, but no longer. She quickly hurried ahead of him, but her legs felt like mush.

As they got closer, she saw the boys come out the doors of the clubhouse with two bags of clubs, but they
weren’t alone. A shudder rocked her body. To her shock it was Nikos with his longtime Swiss ski buddy Fritz walking behind them. Her secret was out now to the one person she hadn’t wanted to know anything!

Who would have thought she’d bump into her brother here? Except that it wasn’t a complete surprise. Nikos loved golf when he wasn’t skiing. He said the mental game kept him sharp. Was Renate with him, or had he left her on Andros for the day?

She watched him take Ari aside and engage him in conversation. Even as far apart as they still were, she could tell her son was being vetted. Dax stood by Fritz. She’d have given anything if things hadn’t happened this way, but there was no help for it now.

Fritz came forward and gave her a kiss on both cheeks. “Stella Athas. It’s been a few years. Nikos didn’t tell me you’d grown into such a raving beauty.”

She’d never cared for his brash manner and didn’t like the way he was checking her out. “How are you, Fritz? Let me introduce you to Ari’s father, Theo Pantheras. Theo? Fritz here took the bronze for Switzerland in the slalom a few years ago.”

“Hello.” Theo shook his hand without saying anything else. Most people fawned over Fritz and Nikos, but she knew Theo wasn’t as easily impressed.

Ari walked over to stand next to Theo who put his arms around him and hugged him close in a protective gesture. It thrilled Stella. Her son now had his own dad, thank heaven. Nikos couldn’t say or do anything about it.

Her brother trained his eyes on her and came closer. They glittered in that icy way they did when his anger was truly kindled. “Well, well, well. A day of golf for my little sister.”

Nikos didn’t even pretend to acknowledge Theo. Six years had done nothing to teach her brother a thing about human decency. His behavior now reminded her of one time in New York when he’d humiliated Rachel so thoroughly, Stella had thought she’d lost her best friend for good. He’d called her a fat, orange-haired, American military brat in her hearing. Stella had never forgiven him for hurting her friend.

“Who would have imagined finding you on the world’s newest and most celebrated golf course?”

“I was about to say the same thing,” she said, daring to speak her mind again. It was cathartic to be able to. “Where’s Renate?”

“With Rachel,” he muttered. “Since you left Andros so fast, I think it’s time you and I had a little talk to catch up. If the rest of you will excuse us for a few minutes.”

“Maybe another time,” Theo interjected smoothly. “We don’t want to be late for our tee-off time.”

Nothing would have enraged Nikos more than to be snubbed in front of Fritz like that, by Theo no less. She could feel her brother seething. Theo on the other hand seemed to care less.

He put his other arm around Stella’s shoulders. “Come on, everyone—Dax—” he urged the boy hauling the other golf bag. Together the four of them headed for the first tee.

“Stella? I’m waiting.” Nikos said coldly.

In order to prevent a contretemps, she decided to talk to him, but Theo stopped her from moving. “I’m afraid you’ll be waiting a long time. It appears the two of you will have to have one of your family chats another time. She and the boys are with me and we’re busy.”

Her brother came closer. “I could have you thrown
off this resort for talking to me that way,” he snarled at Theo. “One word to the owner from me and that’s that.”

“Stop it, Nikos,” Stella muttered, mortified and infuriated by his behavior. He was out of control. Even with the boys around, he didn’t care what they thought of him.

“I will, after we’ve had our talk.” He wouldn’t let this go. It was unbelievable.

She felt Theo remove his arm and pull out his cell phone. Whatever he said was short and to the point. Almost immediately she saw Theo’s bodyguard and another man coming toward them from the clubhouse at full speed.

“Boris? If you would see that these two gentlemen leave the course, we’d be grateful.”

Nikos was a skier, not a body builder. The two men could take care of him with no problem. Part of her was thrilled to see him thwarted, but another part grieved for him. He was her brother and she loved him, but it had been years since she’d liked him. She had to search back in her memory when he was a preteen to remember anything good.

“Who in the hell do you think you are?” Nikos demanded.

“Nikos,” Stella cried, “what’s the matter with you?”

“It’s all right,” Theo assured her. “He’s just surprised to see me with you again after all these years, aren’t you, Nikos. Better get used to it since the blood of our two families runs through Ari’s veins.

“If you can learn to behave yourself, you’re welcome to golf here again another time when you’ve cooled down. My treat. I’m the owner. Now we really have to get cracking, don’t we Ari.”

Her son smiled. “Yes. See ya, Uncle Nikos.” When
they’d walked a little distance, Ari looked up at him. “I didn’t know you owned this place.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, or me you. That’s why it’s so great we’re planning to spend as much time together as possible, don’t you think?”

“Yes.” He was beaming. “Mom? I’ve never seen Uncle Nikos so mad.”

She was still shivering. It was truth time. “Unfortunately I’ve seen him worse, honey. We’ll just stay away from him for a while until he apologizes.”

“He doesn’t like me.”

That was the first time Ari had admitted it aloud. All because of his father, who’d given him new confidence.

“It’s
me
he doesn’t like, Ari,” Theo said softly.

“How come?”

“I come from a very poor family. Your uncle didn’t like me being with your mother or having anything to do with her.”

“That’s stupid.”

“I agree, but a lot of wealthy people like your uncle feel that way.”

“Uncle Nikos isn’t wealthy. Uncle Stasi has to give him money when he runs out.”

A gasp escaped Stella’s lips. Ari knew too much for his own good.

“Well, let’s forget it and have ourselves a fun game. Who wants to go first?”

“I do,” Stella volunteered. After the awful scene with Nikos, she needed to do something physical to channel all that negative energy in a different direction.

“This is going to be an adventure,” Theo whispered against her neck. All her anxiety flew out the window as other sensations took over.

He’d already put his arms around her to demonstrate how to do a golf swing. The weight of his hard body cocooning hers caused her to forget what she was doing. She felt him nibble her sun-warmed shoulder where the tie had slipped a little. It made her breathless.

“How soon is it going to be our turn?” Ari stood next to Dax, resigned it might be a long wait.

He’d asked it so seriously, she and Theo burst out laughing at the same time. It suddenly occurred to her she hadn’t been this happy in years. He’d brought joy to his son’s life. He’d slain a dragon for her today. A week ago she couldn’t have imagined any of it.

Please, God. Don’t let the darkness come again. Make this happiness last.

A
T SIX
that evening, Stella walked Dax out to his parents’ car. Ari and Theo followed with his suitcase and the games and stuff he’d brought with him. Everyone hugged. Dax gave Theo a super-duper hug.

In front of Dax’s parents, Theo invited Ari’s friend to come to Salamis Island in a couple of weekends for a sleepover. The other man nodded his agreement of the idea. They chatted about the golf course for a few minutes.

“I love you guys,” Dax said to Stella before giving her a hug. “I had an awesome time.”

“It was a treat for us, too, honey,” she told him. With Theo around it couldn’t have been anything else.

Elani stared at Theo before flashing Stella a private message. She could hear her friend asking where
he’d
come from. Not even Elani was immune. Dax would fill her in on some of the details. The rest would have to wait until Stella phoned her friend and confided in her.

When the three of them went back into the house, Ari turned to her. “Now that Dax has gone home, can papa sleep in my room tonight? Please?”

Stella should have seen it coming, but the thought of Theo staying over made her heart skip a couple of beats.

“What do you say, Stella?” Theo teased gently.

He probably sensed how much she wanted him to stay. Maybe it would be a good thing. Maybe they could really talk after Ari went to bed. She was finally in a mood to listen. “It’s all right with me, but only if you don’t tell UFO stories and keep each other awake all night.”

Ari launched himself at her. “Thanks, Mom.” His eyes looked suspiciously bright in the foyer light. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, honey.”

“This was the best day of my life!”

He said that every time he’d been with Theo. She believed it.

His father grabbed him. “And it’s not over yet!”

“Come on upstairs, Papa.”

Stella nodded to him. “I’ll be up in a minute to bring you a few things.” While she was at it she’d find one of Stasio’s robes for Theo to wear. He was a tall, powerfully built man like Theo. They’d be hanging in Stasio’s closet.

“Hurry,” he whispered with urgency in his voice before racing Ari up the stairs two at a time. They whooped it up like two kids. Their laughter floated down and followed her to the kitchen.

Iola came rushing in. “What’s going on? I thought Dax went home.”

She gathered some fruit and chips for them. “He did, but now we have another guest.”

“Who?”

“Ari’s father.”

She crossed herself. “Aiyee—”

Stella chuckled. “It’s all right. I’m glad they’re together. A boy should be with his father.”

“That isn’t what you thought last week.”

“A lot has changed since then. He’s come back to stay, Iola.”

“You have forgiven him?”

She sucked in her breath. “Yes.” Until I know differently.

“What if he disappears again?”

“He won’t.” She knew that in her heart even if she didn’t know all of it. Theo had convinced her that Ari meant everything to him. She had to believe him. She would go on believing it.

“How long is he going to stay here?”

“I don’t really know yet. He and Ari have a lot of stuff to catch up on.”

“And you, too?”

“Maybe.”

“Just don’t get hurt again.”

If it was going to happen, the advice had come too late. “Don’t fuss about anything, Iola. We’ll just be lazing around here for a few days.” Ari needed a taste of what it was like to be around his father all the time.

“But what if your brothers come home for some reason?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Now that Nikos had seen them together, it wouldn’t be long before he told Stasio. In a way it was just as well. With the word out, both brothers would have time to get used to the idea. Once she told Stasio how happy Ari was, he’d be his loving, understanding self.

She had this dream that one day Theo and Stasio would become good friends in their own right, and not just because of Ari, whom they both adored. Though the two men were almost ten years apart, they had the strongest work ethic she’d ever seen. Best of all, they were both intrinsically kind and loved Ari.

“Good night, Iola.”

Stella darted off to her room. She was pretty sure there was an extra toothbrush in the bathroom cupboard. She also had some throwaway razors Theo could have if he wanted.

Once she’d found everything and made a detour to Stasio’s room, she hurried to Ari’s room.

“Hi, Mom. I’m showing papa my scrapbooks so he can see what I looked like when I was a baby.” They sat on the bed side by side, poring over everything.

She laid things down on the end of the other queen-size bed. “Those are precious photos.”

“Amen.” Theo’s voice grated with deep emotion. She knew why. He hadn’t been there for any of it. He patted the side of the bed next to him so she’d join them. “Ari’s been telling me about the couple who lived with you in New York. I want to meet them.”

“They’re marvelous people.”

“They were really nice, Papa.”

“And lucky,” Theo added. “They got to hold you all the time, change your diapers, tell you stories and kiss you when you cried. I’m jealous.”

It wrenched Stella’s heart that Theo had missed out on all of it. She felt his hand slide around her waist and squeeze her hip. “I’ll be eternally grateful to them for helping your mom when I couldn’t. One day we’ll fly to New York so I can meet them.”

“Could we?” Ari cried.

“We’ll do a lot of things.”

Stella was curious to know what kinds of things he had in mind, but she would have to ask him later. “I think it’s time you got ready for bed,” she reminded Ari.

“Okay.”

“Theo, I brought you a robe and a couple of other items. You can use Ari’s bathroom to change.”

“Thank you.” His eyes captured hers. “This is what I call living!” He got up from the bed and disappeared into the bathroom.

Ari slipped on his pajamas in record time. “Mom? Can Papa stay with us all the time?”

“I’m afraid not, honey.”

“How come?”

Floundering, she said, “Because he has his own house. Like you, I’m getting used to having him in my life again.”

His eyes shone. “But you like him.”

“You know I do.”

“I love him.”

“I kind of figured that out.”

“I’m so glad he came back.”

“I’m glad, too,” she admitted. Her son was a different person. “Good night, honey.”

She kissed his forehead, then rushed to her own room to get ready for bed. Stella couldn’t imagine how she would get to sleep knowing Theo was next door. The knowledge that they’d be spending tomorrow together made her even more excited.

After slipping on a nightgown, she went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Once she’d turned off the light, she had every intention of going to bed. However, she heard their voices carry because she shared a bathroom with Ari. Though she hated herself for eavesdropping, she couldn’t resist listening at the door for a second.

“…because I felt inferior to my brother. Hektor was the oldest in my family and had a calling for the priesthood. My parents loved him so much, I thought they didn’t love me.”

“Did it make you cry?”

“A lot when I was really young.”

“I love you, Papa.”

“I know you do. I love you, too. More than anything on earth.”

“Did your other brothers feel bad, too?”

“I think so, but I never talked to them about it. When he left our house for good, it was very hard on me. I’d lost my big brother. About that time I made plans to go away with your mother and marry her, but the night we were going to meet at the church, some mean guys beat me up.”

“How come, Papa?” he cried in a tear-filled voice. “Why did they do that?”

“Because they didn’t like me and wanted to keep me and your mother apart. They got their wish.”

Stella felt bile rise in her throat. Who was responsible for such a crime? Who would have cared to that degree?

“When I got better, I looked everywhere for your mother. My friends and family helped me. I made phone calls and sent her letters, but no one had seen her and I realized I’d really lost her.”

“She went to New York with Stasi.”

“I know that now, but at the time it was like she’d never existed. Suffice it to say that when I lost her, I lost my very best friend.”

Tears gushed down her cheeks.
You were mine, too, Theo.

“And because I lost her, I lost you.”

“I’m here now, Papa.”

“Don’t I know it. Unfortunately back then, I was in a very bad way. That’s when I decided to leave home and start working on a career, but it was the most painful time in my life. I never thought I’d see her
again, but then I drove by your house last week and saw both of you walking. I couldn’t believe it! It made me so happy, I wrote your mother a letter and asked her to call me.”

“But Mommy thought you didn’t love her anymore.”

“I realize that now, but it wasn’t true. I loved your mommy so much I would have done anything for her. But I had to make money so I could pay someone to help me find her.”

“Because you were poor, huh.”

“Yes, because I’m a Pantheras from the poor part of Salamis and Stella was an Athas from the best part of Athens.”

“I’m a Pantheras, too!” Ari declared.

“Yes you are, half me, half your mom, and none of it matters as long as we’re all together.”

She couldn’t take any more and went back to her room. Theo had told her there were things she still didn’t know that could hurt her and Ari. Had her father been so against her marrying Theo,
he
was the one behind the attack?

Stella’s father had been a very stern man who’d risen to prominence in the Greek government. He was very proper, old-fashioned. His pride had always made it difficult for her to approach him about her personal life.

When she thought about it, he had many influential friends in high places. Had he arranged things behind the scenes, never expecting Theo to come back and fight for his son? Deep down, had he been a corrupt man?

If so, and Nikos knew about it, then it would explain why her brother had been so obnoxious at the golf course. It was almost as if he were carrying on where her father had left off, but he was blatantly open about it. Stasio would have been kept in the dark. She knew
for a fact he would never have sanctioned anything cruel or criminal. It wasn’t in his nature.

Was that why Theo was afraid to tell her, because he didn’t want her to hate her father?

For the rest of the night her mind ran in circles, driving her crazy with more questions until she knew no more. By morning she was worn out. When Ari came to her room and begged her to let his daddy stay at their house through the weekend, she couldn’t say no. They were all on vacation and her brothers were on Andros.

Every day Ari spent with his father in their house, she could see that he was becoming more secure. Between walks around Athens and their star-gazing class, there was plenty to do that was all new to him. Theo had opened up a different world for him, and her son was having the time of his life.

Before bed on Saturday night, Stella sought out Iola. “Tell cook we’ll be wanting a big breakfast in the morning before we go to church.”

Stella dashed upstairs and discovered Ari and his father watching a DVD about the day the earth stood still. A smile broke out on her face. “Hi, guys. Considering our plans for tomorrow, you’d better get to bed soon. In the meantime, I need to check and make sure your suit is ready for church, Ari.”

She went to his room and walked inside his closet. The pants of his navy three-piece could use a pressing. She pulled them out. The jacket looked fine. After an inspection she discovered both dress shirts had been washed and ironed.

“I like the blue-and-white stripe the best,” Theo murmured right behind her. A little cry of surprise broke from her throat. Except for the day he’d helped her with
her golf swing, he hadn’t made any kind of overture toward her. When he slid his arms around her, bringing her back up tight against his chest, it took her totally by surprise. He’d already changed into his robe.

For quite a while now she’d been so aware of him physically, it had become painful to be near him. With a sense of wonder she felt him kiss her nape, sending little fingers of delight inching their way through her body. She grew weak with those old, breathtaking feelings of desire.

“What a wonderful place to find you,” he whispered in a husky voice. In the next instant he’d turned her around so their faces were mere centimeters apart. “I don’t know about you, but if I can’t have this right now, I’m not going to survive the night.”

His dark head descended, covering her mouth with his own. Surrounded by clothes that muffled sounds, he kissed her with a hunger that brought a moan to her throat.

Back and forth they returned each other’s kisses, setting off waves of desire. He smelled wonderfully male, intoxicating her. As her hands slid up his chest, she came in contact with a smattering of black hair.

The feel of his skin electrified her, bringing back memories she couldn’t afford to entertain with Ari just outside the door. This was crazy. Insane. She wrenched her lips from his. “We can’t do this.”

His deep chuckle thrilled her. “It appears we are.” He kissed her again, long and deep until she was a throbbing mass of needs. He undid one of the ties to kiss her shoulder. Rapture exploded inside her, but she knew where this was leading and finally backed out of the closet, gasping for air.

“Did you forget these?” He dangled Ari’s pants in
front of her while she retied her blouse on top of her shoulder. His wolfish grin was the last straw. She took the pants and threw them at him. Ari roared with laughter.

Theo ducked, then swiped them from the floor. “You better watch out, little girl. You’re playing with a big boy now.”

She screamed and ran away from him. Ari was jumping on top of the bed with a huge smile while he watched them. Stella backed up against the wall. Theo came closer, twirling the pants in the air. He looked dark and dangerous and capable of doing anything.