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He hesitated for a second, then nodded. ‘The police chief is a friend. He’s assured me that the idiots Bartorelli hired to assist him have ratted on his intention to kidnap you. He also made the mistake of committing the crime in Greece, not Italy. He has significantly less sway in my country, and I’ve ensured that his assets are not available to him. Your uncle, too, has been put on notice that if he lifts a finger to help Bartorelli he stands to lose substantially. Not that he needed much persuasion... Bartorelli out of the way suits him just as much as it does me.’
The speed of his retribution while she’d been asleep made her grip tighten on the covers. Was it the same swiftness with which he would remove her from their child’s life?
‘So, in essence, you threw your weight around?’
His arrogant nod was unapologetic. Determination blazed high and formidable in his eyes. ‘Indeed. And I won’t hesitate to throw even more around to get what I want.’
For her or for his child?
While she knew the feminist in her should rail against it, for the sake of keeping her child safe Odessa fully embraced that ruthless fortitude. But she vowed to herself that if—when—he attempted to use it against her, she would fight with everything she had. For now...
‘For what it’s worth, thank you,’ she said.
For some reason her words drew a dark frown, which he visibly shook off as he perched on the side of her bed. Her breath caught as he reached out to brush back her hair and caress her cheek.
‘How do you feel?’ he rasped.
Odessa swallowed before she could speak. ‘I’m fine. I’m glad it’s behind me.’
Again, shadows chased across his face. Then he stood. ‘Is there anything you need before we leave?’
Reminded that they were only supposed to be in Athens for her appointment, she shook her head.
‘Kalos. We’ll leave within the hour,’ Ares said, and then, with another prolonged look, he returned to the terrace.
She got up and, ignoring the discomfort in her knees and arm, went to her own side of the suite.
Her ruined dress had disappeared—thankfully. Going to the closet, she selected a pair of wide palazzo pants and a white batwing top made of cotton so soft and luxurious Odessa was certain it had cost the earth.
But it covered her bruises, and with her deepened tan the colour looked good on her, and she greedily took the boost it provided, sliding her feet into heeled gold mules before adding gold hoops to her ears. A quick brush of her now dried hair before containing it in a loose bun, a spritz of her favourite perfume, and she was ready.
Returning to Ares’s suite, she momentarily panicked—until she saw her bag and the sketchbook tucked into it.
Ares was waiting in the foyer when she came downstairs, his gaze latching on to her as if he needed to read her every expression. Odessa’s face reddened and, forcing her gaze away, she smiled reassuringly at the hovering housekeeper.
Outside, the sight of an additional SUV full of mean-looking bodyguards made her grimace.
‘Is that really necessary?’ she asked Ares.
A grasp of her hand, which he settled on his thigh, then a solid, implacable ‘yes’ was all she got.
Until, after staring out of the window as the SUV bypassed the helipad and headed for the private side of the airport, she turned to Ares as the vehicle stopped in front of a large, sleek-looking jet.
‘Why the jet? Are we not taking the chopper to Ismene?’
He shook his head. ‘No. Change of plan,’ he stated grimly.
‘Are you going to tell me what that plan is?’ she demanded when he didn’t explain.
His face was shuttered for longer this time. ‘Did you like it on Ismene?’
Unable to deny it, she nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘Then be assured you’ll like where we’re going just as much. Maybe more.’ He held out his hand and beckoned her. ‘Come.’
Intrigued despite herself, Odessa took a deep breath and went.
Several hours later, she turned a full one hundred and eighty degrees on a lush green lawn, unable to catch her breath at the beauty that surrounded her.
