Читать книгу Wedding Party Collection: Here Comes The Groom - Rebecca Winters - Страница 10

“HE’S coming around.”

“Don’t let him move his head.”

“No. I’ve got him.”

“An AirMed helicopter will meet us when we land.”

“The bleeding’s stopped.”

“That’s good. Keep that compress over the wound.”

“Do you think his arm is broken?”

“No. Nothing’s broken that I see, but he’s going to have an ugly bruise on his shoulder for a while.”

Dimitrios had been hearing voices for the last few minutes. Now he was aware of stinging at the crown of his head. Slowly his body was coming back to life.

Mingled with the smell of alcohol was a delicious scent, like pears, that permeated his nostrils. It came from a smooth, cool hand cupping his jaw along the side of his face. He seemed to be resting on something soft and warm. His eyelids fluttered open.

Waves of dizziness assailed him. He blinked several times until his gaze focused on a pair of soulful green eyes staring down at him. They seemed to take up her whole face.

Good Lord. What were they both doing on the floor of the plane with his head in her lap?

“Ms. Hamilton?”

“Thank heaven you know me,” she whispered emotionally.

“Welcome back,” came the voice of his copilot. Both he and the steward had to be standing somewhere near his feet.

Dimitrios blinked again. Maybe it was the angle of the recessed lighting that made him think moisture clung to his secretary’s long, silky lashes. He’d never seen her without her steel-rimmed glasses. She had flawless skin and a beautifully shaped mouth.

“What happened?”

“We hit an air pocket before you could make it to your seat,” she explained.

“I remember now,” he muttered on a groan. “How soon before we land?”

His copilot hunkered at his side. “We’re approaching Macedonia International now.”

Dimitrios started to get up, but all three of them held him down. “Don’t move,” his steward ordered. “You have a lump on the top of your head and must be seen by a doctor.”

“I heard you say nothing was broken. Let me up,” he ordered.

Still they restrained him. Damnation.

He felt the tightening of his secretary’s diaphragm before she asked, “How many stones are there in my ring?”

What?

She held the top of her hand in front of his eyes so he couldn’t possibly miss it.

“Five.”

“Good. There’s nothing wrong with his vision, gentlemen. I think Kyrie Pandakis is recovered enough to get to his seat.”

His steward shook his head. “I don’t know—”

“Well I do! Don’t worry. I’ll take full responsibility if anything should happen to him. Now if you’ll both assist me and we’re all very careful, we can get him strapped in before we begin our descent.

“Don’t you dare pass out on me now,” her lips whispered against his ear before she told the two men to support his elbows so he could stand up.

Dimitrios could count on the fingers of one hand the times in his life when he’d been filled with wonder. To see his steward and copilot cowed into submission without further remonstration qualified as one of them. Once helped into his seat and buckled in, he gripped the arm rests, fighting not to succumb to his dizziness and fall over again.

His head felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. In fact it hurt like hell except for that moment when her lips brushed his ear. Then all he could feel was a little explosion of electricity shooting through his system.

“You see?” He heard her speak to his staff from her seat. “He’s fine. Tell the pilot to cancel the helicopter. If Kyrie Pandakis isn’t well after he gets home, his family will send for his doctor.”

After more hesitation, his copilot went to the cockpit to do her bidding. The steward remained nearby, still looking unsure about things. It had to be a first for him.

“Is this your wish?” he demanded

“As my secretary said, I’m all right. Thank you for your help and concern. Tell the pilot everyone is grateful he was able to stabilize the plane in time.”

The other man gave a reluctant nod before disappearing.

“When the world stops spinning, Ms. Hamilton, remind me to give you a bonus for keeping a cool head. It must have been a terrifying experience for you.”

“Only when I saw you go flying.”

The Fasten Seat Belts sign went on. They were beginning their descent. His head swam.

“It won’t be long now.” Her voice seemed to come from a long way off.

The next thing he was aware of was his secretary bending over him to undo his seat belt. He could smell the pear scent once more.

“We’re home, Mr. Pandakis.”

“What happened to Kyrie?”

She ignored his question. “Stand up and lean against me while we exit the plane.”

His dizziness was as bad on the ground as in the air. He put his arm around her shoulders and they started for the door. A few steps from the entrance he had to cling to her.

Who would have guessed at the warm, full curves and flare of womanly hips hidden beneath the folds of the shapeless, loose-fitting outfit she wore.

Why in heaven’s name did she dress in clothes that masked such a voluptuous figure? For that matter, why didn’t she wear contacts? Her steel-rimmed glasses hid one of her best assets. It didn’t make any sense.

“Come on,” she urged. “We’re almost there.”

“Give me another minute.” The world was still whirling. So were his senses. This sharp awareness of her as a flesh-and-blood woman had caught him completely by surprise.

The steward opened the door.

Dimitrios heard footsteps on the stairs leading up to the plane’s entrance. “Uncle?”

When a dark-haired man close to Alex’s age suddenly appeared in the opening, she didn’t know who looked more surprised. Somehow she’d thought his nephew would be younger.

He halted mid-stride when he saw his uncle clinging to her. Dimitrios had closed his eyes for a moment. Given his pallor, she could understand why his nephew had concern written all over his face.

“Kyrie Pandakis has had a slight accident. He’s a little dizzy from a bump on the head, but it’s nothing serious,” she assured him. “If you’d like to help your uncle out to the car, I’ll gather my things and be right with you.”

“Of course.” He rushed forward and put his arm around his uncle. “Do you think you can make it now, Uncle?” The deep affection in his voice touched Alex.

“As soon as I introduce the two of you,” came the dry response. “Leon? This is my secretary, the legendary Ms. Hamilton.” He was weaving on his feet as he said it.

She eyed his nephew, hoping he received her silent message. “We’ll have time for that later. Right now what’s important is to get you home.”

Between Leon and the two pilots, Dimitrios was helped to the car with little problem. Alex followed with her purse and briefcase. The steward stowed it in the trunk with her suitcase, then helped her into the front passenger seat.

Dimitrios had been put in back so he could spread out. She winced at the shadows beneath his eyes. He would never admit to the horrendous pain he was in.

She thanked the staff, then told Leon to step on it. He obviously didn’t need any urging because the car accelerated at a faster speed than she imagined was allowed.

“How long will it take to reach the Mediterranean Palace?” She asked this in a low tone as they drove away from the plane.

“Normally fifteen minutes,” he whispered, “but because of the tourists in town for the fair, the traffic is heavy at all hours now. It could take longer.”

“Ms. Hamilton won’t be staying at the hotel, Leon. Drive us straight to the villa.”

Alex caught the surprised glance Leon flashed his uncle over his shoulder. But she understood. Dimitrios felt too ill to put up with any detours tonight.

She leaned closer to his nephew. Mouthing the words, she said, “As soon as we get him home, I’ll take a taxi to the hotel.”

He nodded.

With that understood, she moved next to the door so she could rest her head against the glass.

It was hard to believe she was in Greece.

She should be thrilled, exhilarated. It was a lovely warm night. They were driving through one of the oldest cities in Europe. Some sites dated back to 2300 B.C. She was passing over ground of saints and scholars.

There was so much history to absorb. But after the shock she’d lived through, she was too enervated to do anything more than close her eyes.

Only one thing mattered. Dimitrios was alive and seemingly in one piece. His injuries could have been so much worse. She still hadn’t recovered from seeing his big body hurtled to the floor of the plane, lifeless.

If Alex needed proof of what he meant to her, that experience would stand out for all time as the defining moment.

At one point she’d seen Leon pull out his cell phone and make several calls. Therefore it didn’t surprise her that the guard at the gate of the estate let them through without Leon having to brake.

A sizable group of people were assembled in the courtyard by the time they wound around the tree-lined drive to the front of the ochre-toned villa. Large and square-shaped in design, it looked fairly impregnable and quite unlike what Alex had imagined.

That was probably because she was used to seeing travel brochures with pictures of the white, cube-style villas nestled close together on the Greek Islands.

Two women rushed forward. One old, with a face that looked a trifle wizened from being in the sun too long. The other fortyish and attractive, with big brown eyes that reminded Alex of Leon.

“Dimitrios!” they both cried at once as his nephew got out of the car and opened the back door for him. A spate of Greek Alex couldn’t understand poured out of both women. One of the male staff members somebody called Kristofor worked with Leon to help his uncle from the car.

The rest of the staff stood by with anxious expressions. It was evident that everyone held Kyrie Pandakis in great affection and were upset to see him incapacitated in any way.

Alex knew just how they felt.

Relieved he was home in the comfort of his family, she climbed out of the front seat to get her things from the trunk. To her surprise she caught the full brunt of headlights from a taxi that had pulled up behind the car. It had gotten here quickly.

More conversation in Greek ensued. This time it was Dimitrios’s voice overriding everyone else’s. A subdued, confused-looking Leon walked to the taxi. Alex saw him pull some money from his wallet and pay the driver, who backed around and took off.

“Everyone speak English, please,” Dimitrios declared. For a man who was barely hanging on, his voice sounded amazingly strong and authoritative.

“My secretary, Ms. Hamilton, will be our houseguest for a while. Serilda? If you will be kind enough to prepare the guest room down the hall from mine for her. Nicholas? Please bring her things from the back of the car.”

The staff seemed to take everything as a matter of course, but Alex didn’t dare make a scene right then. Not in front of the woman who had to be Leon’s mother, Ananke. She stared at Alex like she was a visitor from another planet.

When they entered the palatial villa, it felt like Alex had just stepped into another time period. The flavor of old Byzantium called out to her. Under other circumstances she would love to explore every inch of it, learn the story behind every exquisite artifact.

But Alex could hear her mother’s warning. Go to Greece, do your job, don’t go near his family, then come straight home.

The front door clicked shut behind her. She had no choice but to follow Dimitrios who, with help, managed to make it down two hallways to his own suite of rooms.

Though the lump on his head was hidden, Alex could see that some of his black hair was still matted with blood, a potent reminder of an experience that could have taken his life.

At the thought, she felt sickness sweep over her. Her steps slowed until the moment of sudden weakness passed.

Leon’s mother stayed right with him, talking in Greek to her son even though Dimitrios had requested otherwise.

“Ms. Hamilton?” he called over his shoulder without looking at her. “When you’ve freshened up, please come to my bedroom. There’s some business we have to discuss.”

“I’ll come now if you’d like.” The sooner he said what he had to say, the sooner she’d be able to phone for another taxi and slip away. Thanks to Yanni, she could do that much for herself in Greek without anyone’s help.

“I’d like,” she heard him mutter.

His suite came as a complete surprise. It was modern and unquestionably masculine down to the tan and black striped bedspread. Alex sank down on one of two chairs arranged around a coffee table while Leon and Kristofor helped Dimitrios stretch out on top of the bed.

His eyes were closed. He looked wan and exhausted. There was blood on his rumpled shirt, which was part-way unbuttoned, revealing a dusting of black hair on his chest. Alex closed her eyes to shut out the sight before her.

She’d never loved him more. All she wanted to do was crawl onto the king-size bed and take care of him. Hold him like she’d done on the plane. Her arms ached from the loss.

While she’d steadied his head, she’d been able to study the tiny lines that radiated from around his eyes, the set of his jaw, the sensuality of his male mouth she yearned to cover with her own.

“Serilda has called for the doctor. Until he has examined you, you’re not to discuss business or anything else.”

“Mother’s right, Uncle. Let me help you get ready for bed.”

“As you can both see, I’m fine, just dizzy. It will pass. I appreciate your concern, but right now Ms. Hamilton and I have matters to discuss that won’t wait.”

“I’m sure she’s exhausted, too,” Ananke persisted.

Sensing Dimitrios’s impatience simmering beneath the surface Alex said, “Actually I slept seven hours on the plane and feel very well rested. I promise I won’t work your brother-in-law too long.”

“Leon? Will you bring Ms. Hamilton’s briefcase to her?”

His nephew nodded before hurrying out of the room.

Alex watched the other woman’s hands curl into fists at her side. “I’ll bring you some tea and pain killers.”

“I—I don’t think he should have anything yet.”

At Alex’s interjection, Ananke flashed her a hostile glance.

“I only mentioned it, Mrs. Pandakis, because I’m sure he has suffered a concussion.”

Despite his injury Dimitrios seemed to be alert enough to address his sister-in-law. “Ask the cook to make tea and sandwiches, Ananke. My secretary slept through lunch and dinner and must be starving by now.”

Her brown eyes glittered angrily before she left the room.

“Here’s your briefcase, Ms. Hamilton.”

“Thank you.”

“Leon— I’m glad you came to the plane. I couldn’t have gotten along without your help. In the morning, we’ll have that talk. All right?”

“Only if you’re feeling much better, Uncle.”

“I’m sure I will. Would you mind closing the door on your way out?”

“No. Of course not.” His brown gaze darted to Alex. “Good night, Ms. Hamilton.”

“Good night. It was very nice to meet you.”

A strange silence filled the room after he’d gone.

Alex was relieved to see Dimitrios’s eyes had closed. Finally he could rest. That’s why it came as a surprise when he spoke to her.

“After today’s experience, I realize that along with your many attributes, you were born with an ability to read minds, too.”

“You mean about my canceling the helicopter.”

“Among other things.”

“I did it for self-preservation.”

“How so?”

“You’re Thessalonica’s favorite son. The media would’ve had a field day if word had leaked out that you were being transported to the hospital from the plane. I’d have been forced to ward them off. To be honest, I didn’t particularly relish the thought after—”

“After you thought it was the end, and your life flashed before your eyes?”

She bowed her head. “Something like that, yes.” Except that was a lie. There’d only been one thought on her mind. One man.

“I was concerned about the publicity. It would probably have given your government officials a heart attack to know you were hurt this close to the trade fair. As it is, your name’s going to be all over the news by morning.”

“You think?” came the deep voice.

It amazed her he had the energy to tease in his condition.

“I’m sure your loyal pilot was shaken by the incident. No doubt he issued some strict orders to the hospital to stand by because they were going to be receiving some very precious cargo.

“Right now the phones are probably ringing off the hook to every journalist that you’re back in Greece and something terrible happened to you in flight.”

“Something did.”

His comment sounded faintly cryptic. She kneaded her hands together.

“We don’t have any business to discuss tonight. Why did you ask me to come in here?”

“You’re the mind reader, Ms. Hamilton. You tell me.”

She took a steadying breath. “I think your sister-in-law was right. You need rest, and I need to call the hotel.”

“Don’t worry about canceling the reservation. I’ll take care of it.”

“That’s the problem. You mustn’t do that.”

His eyes opened. He seemed very alert all of a sudden.

“Why not? If I’m to be confined over the next few days, it makes the most sense.”

“The hotel is simply a place to sleep.” She tried reasoning with him. “I’ll be available to you at all hours otherwise.”

The tension was mounting. “What aren’t you telling me?”

She’d seen him in this mood before. He wouldn’t give up until he had the answer he wanted. She’d learned from past experience it was pointless to try to thwart him.

“Someone else is staying with me.”

His black eyes penetrated the distance between them. “Yanni?” he asked in a deceptively silken voice.

“No. His name is Michael. I don’t think I’ve mentioned him before.”

“No, I don’t believe you have. Does this Michael appreciate the fact that you’re here on business?”

“Yes. Of course. Please don’t think that I was attempting to take advantage of your generosity. I’m willing to pay for the room personally.” She didn’t believe it was necessary to mention Michael’s friends.

“Do you suppose he’ll live if I ask you to stay here at the villa until I’m back to normal?”

Unless his pain was much worse, she couldn’t understand why he sounded so surly. Under normal circumstances he never allowed any weakness to show.

Obviously the trade fair was even more important to him than he’d let on. It was only natural he didn’t want anything to go wrong this close to the opening. The thing to do was placate him until he started feeling better and could walk around without too much discomfort.

When she thought about it, she realized he was used to having her in calling distance at the office. Oftentimes they sat across from each other at his desk to do business until late. She could see it would frustrate him to have to phone back and forth to the hotel.

“Apparently my request is causing you grief.”

At the sarcastic comment, heat filled her cheeks. “Not at all!” she rushed to assure him. “I was just thinking that I have to get something from him.”

“Leon can run by the hotel in the morning and pick up whatever it is you need, unless you require it tonight.”

“Oh, no. I— It’s a costume.”

A half-smile broke the corner of his mouth. For some reason her comment had pleased him.

“Let me guess. For your television interview you’re going to appear as Thessalonica, wife of the King of Macedonia.”

She chuckled softly. “It’s not for me. In any case I won’t be going anywhere near the media.”

“Who then?”

“The man in charge.”

“If you’re referring to me, I haven’t been in charge of anything since you took over Mrs. Landau’s job.”

Not to be put off, she said, “You’ll need to try it on first to make certain it fits properly before you appear on camera.”

He stirred as if he were trying to get up, but then he slumped back. It revealed so much.

“You actually went to the trouble to find a costume for me?”

She swallowed hard. “I had it made.”

After a pregnant silence, “Give me a clue.”

“Well—you were a military commander of Thessalonica in the early fourth century.”

“There were dozens of those.” His voice grated.

“This one was appointed by the Emperor Maximian to take his place.”

“As I recall, Maximian persecuted Christians.”

“That’s right, but this commander was a defender of Christ. For defying the emperor he was cast into prison. Then an angel of God came to him and told him to be brave. A few days later he was martyred and became a saint.”

Another silence ensued. Much longer this time. He’d guessed who it was.

Before she could hear him say it, there was a rap on the door. Then the housekeeper appeared with a tray. Behind her came Ananke and Leon, followed by a bearded, middle-aged man carrying a doctor’s bag.

“So, Dimitrios. I hear you received a big bump on your head. Let me take a look at it.”

Alex stood up to leave.

“Sit down and eat, Ms. Hamilton,” Dimitrios ordered her.

The doctor winked at her. “Dimitrios never did make a good patient. Since he has spoken, you’d better obey.”

The housekeeper set the tray down on the table, then left while the other two stood waiting to hear what the doctor had to say. Alex had little choice but to abide by her boss’s wishes.

After checking Dimitrios’s vital signs, the doctor asked Leon to bring him some warm water from the bathroom. He explained he was going to clean the wound.

As he examined it he said, “Tell me how this happened.”

“Ms. Hamilton knows more about it than I do,” came the wry response.

Everyone looked at Alex, who had to finish swallowing her bite of sandwich before she could say anything.

“As he was coming back to his seat, the plane hit an air pocket. His body flew, and his head hit the wall of the plane knocking him unconscious.” It was still distressing to recall the incident, let alone talk about it.

“Hmm. Considering what you’ve been through, Dimitrios, you seem in amazingly good shape. But I don’t doubt you’ve got a concussion.

“I’m not going to give you anything for the pain yet. Someone will have to watch you for the next twelve hours. If you become ill or sleep too long, then you’ll have to be brought to my office for an X ray.

“However, if all goes well, and I think it will, by noon tomorrow you can start to eat and drink what sounds good to you. You’ll be dizzy for a time. Don’t try to overdo when you first get up. Call me if you have any questions.”

He closed his doctor bag and started to leave. Ananke accompanied him to the door. “I’ll stay with him.”

“I’ll trade off with you, Mother.”

“I appreciate both your offers, but Ms. Hamilton has already agreed to sit up with me.”

His declaration shocked everyone, especially Alex, who almost fell off the chair at the lie.

“She slept most of the way over on the plane,” he continued. “Now that she’s awake and I’m too dizzy to go sleep, we’ll be able to get our work done without interruption.”

“But you can’t expect your secretary—”

“My secretary has the entire responsibility of the trade fair on her shoulders, Ananke,” he cut in. “She needs tonight to go over the details with me. If I should suddenly lose consciousness, she’s perfectly capable of letting you know. Isn’t that true, Ms. Hamilton?”

The tension in the room was unbearable. There were strange undercurrents Alex couldn’t begin to understand. His nephew looked confused and hurt. Along with an angry look at Alex, his sister-in-law reflected her son’s feelings. Unfortunately Dimitrios was waiting for an answer.

“Yes, of course.”