Chapter 14
Leo was frantic. He’d stayed away from Gemma’s room earlier in the day, intending to give her time to cool down so that they could have a reasonable conversation about her and Damien’s future. He’d spent a restless night trying to think of how to fix this situation. The prospect of never seeing Damien again was a bleak one. The child was his twin brother’sliving legacy. Having Damien close felt almost like a part of Alexi had returned from the watery grave that had taken his life.
He’d hoped telling Gemma about the stock certificates and having her speak with his mother would somehow soften her reaction to being deceived. He had to find a way to make things work with her. Not only for Damien and his parents, but also for himself.
Leo was warming to the idea of being an uncle, but that would require Gemma remained in Greece. With Alexi gone, Leo had no choice but to step into his twin’s shoes and start managing more parts of the company. His father wouldn’t work forever. He expected his son to take over for him when the time came.
And then there was Gemma. The ache in his heart when he thought of never seeing Gemma again was worse than the thought of losing Damien. Leo had never considered himself a one-woman man, but since reconnecting with Gemma, the thought of bedding any other woman left him completely unaffected. Petrina had all but thrown herself at him and his body hadn’t reacted with anything but disgust. He wouldn’t name what he was feeling—but he also couldn’t ignore it.
Couple that with how devastated his parents would be to lose contact with their only grandchild and the situation was untenable. He’d paced his rooms, going over one scenario after another until he’d finally come up with a workable solution.
He’d planned to discuss his thoughts with Gemma, but she wasn’t in her rooms. He asked the maids where she was and learned Petrina had spirited her away earlier that morning. He’d asked where they’d gone, but it wasn’t until he’d called her uncle that he’d learned Petrina had borrowed his yacht for the day.
Leo took one look at the gathering clouds and raced for the docks. His worst fears were confirmed when he learned that Petrina had not returned. He’d contacted the Hellenic Coast Guard, using his considerable wealth and the family name to enlist their help. Petrina’s ship didn’t answer any of the radio calls sent to it, and the storm continued to come towards them.
Leo headed for his own yacht. He gave his crew the choice to come with him or remain. All three men solemnly readied the ship for departure from the marina. Leo vowed to reward their loyalty when they returned.
Almost two miles out, he received a call from the Coast Guard, notifying them that they had intercepted Petrina’s boat. She claimed Gemma had chosen to stay on the Moustakas family island. The échase parádeisos, also known as the Lost Paradise, was a good three and a half hours away from the mainland. Leo was furious. What was Petrina thinking, attempting such a long jounrey as a day trip?
Not to mention, not checking the weather in advance... Leo frowned. Her actions showed just how unstable Petrina really was. Upon returning from rescuing Gemma, he would be speaking with his uncle. The woman needs professional help... Provided she wasn’t being brought up on charges that could see her imprisoned for the rest of her life. The full repercussions of today had yet to be seen. Leo forced his mind away from how devastating they might be. He needed all his wits to navigate the storm.
Halfway to the island, the storm hit full force. The crew wore worried expressions, but not one of them voiced the desire to turn back. Unfortunately, after travelling for another forty-five minutes, they were intercepted. The Hellenic Coast Guard demanded they turn back as the storm was worsening.
I refuse to give up the search. They were only a few miles from the island. If Gemma stayed on the island, she would at least be dry, but without knowing how to engage the generator, she would be left to fend for herself in the dark and cold.
Leo thought fast. The coast guard had a very fast skipper, used to navigate rough seas when a rescue was needed and a larger boat would have been a danger to life and property. “Let me have your skipper. I’ll be able to reach the island in less than thirty minutes. I’ll radio in once I’ve located the missing woman.”
The captain radioed his response immediately. “Sir, that is ill-advised.”
Leo gave the boat a steely glance. His voice dripped ice. “So is allowing an American citizen to perish due to the foolishness of a Greek citizen. I’m trying to stave off an international incident.” Leo knew he was stretching the truth. He prayed the captain wouldn’t ask for more details about the lost woman’s identity. That could be disastrous.
Luckily, the captain wasn’t willing to risk his career over such a manner. He ordered his crew to drop the skipper into the water.
“Efkharisto. Your kindness will be repaid.” Leo readied himself to enter the boat. Each of his own crew offered to accompany him, but he refused, knowing each had a wife and children back home. “Be safe and pray the gods show me favor this day.” He climbed into the skipper and immediately set a course for the island. I only hope I’m not too late.
The darkening sky hindered his visibility. If not for a flash of lightning, he might have missed the small boat floating aimlessly amidst the terrible waves. He turned towards it. As he neared, his heart plummeted. He recognized the boat as one kept on the island. Theós!
It appeared Gemma had attempted to return back to the mainland. Leo’s felt tears sting his eyes. He didn’t see anyone steering the boat. Please, don’t let her die. Damien needs her. I need her.
He pulled alongside the boat, a task made difficult by the crashing waves. Somehowhe managed. Only then did he see the figure crumpled in the bottom of the boat, surrounded by several inches of water tinged red with her blood. Theós! It was Gemma and she was almost blue with cold.
He tied the small boat to the back of the skipper with shaking hands, unable to board the other boat without risking his own life in the process. He desperately wanted to check her for a pulse, but doing so would put them both in grave danger. The waves were only getting bigger and he wouldn’t be of any use to Gemma injured. The next twenty minutes as he towed the boat back to the island were some of the longest of his life.
As soon as he could safely board the other boat, he did. He kneeled beside Gemma in the rain, feeling for a pulse. Her skin was cold and her lips blue. A large gash on the back of her head explained the blood he saw.
“Gemma!” he hollered over the storm. When he finally found a pulse, his heart heaved a sigh of relief, but he couldn’t make her wake up. He moved the boats into the safety of the lagoon and then set the skipper free, taking the smaller boat into the enclosure of the estate house. He killed the engine and carried her back into the house, praying to every God he could name for mercy and favor for Gemma.
“Hang on, Gemma!” he told her. “You’re so cold!” I have to get her warmed up. He lay her on the rug in the living area. He tugged at her sodden clothing. “We…need…to get these…wet clothes…off of you.” He finally worked her clothing off, skimming his hands and eyes over her prone form, looking for visible signs of injury.
He gently turned her head, locating the cut and a large bump on the back of her head. “If only you would wake up and tell me what happened.” He grabbed a nearby blanket and draped it over her. Standing up, he stripped out of his own soaked clothing.
I need to call for a helicopter. A quick glance outside dashed that thought away. Not in this weather! No one is going to risk their life flying in these winds and storm. He looked back at the woman, shivering on the floor. I can’t lose you now! I just found you. “Stay with me, Gemma. I’ll get you warm.”
He picked her up, blanket and all, and carried her into the nearest bedroom. He settled them both between the sheets, piling the quilt and blankets over their bodies and wrapping himself around her icy cold body. She shivered violently. “You’ll feel warm in a few minutes,” he whispered against her temple.
He smoothed his hands over her arms and back, trying to instill some warmth into her body. “Gemma?” he asked every few minutes, hoping she’d open her eyes and talk to him. “Gemma, you need to wake up. You’re safe now.”
Twenty minutes later, her lips lost their bluish tint and her shivers had slowed down to just the occasional body-wracking quake. He slipped from the bed and stalked to the window, cursing the storm that still raged outside.
She needs medical attention! But for once, he was helpless to get what he wanted. Not even the Moustakas name can hold up against Mother Nature.
He returned to the bed, a towel in his hands. Carefully, he began to dry her hair. It was matted with salt water. He considered carrying her into the shower to give her a proper bath, but was afraid she would get chilled again. He cared too much for her to stop trying. Suddenly, keeping his feelings locked inside was impossible.
“Lígo gáta, please wake up. De exo niosi pote etsi os tora. I’ve never felt this way before. I need you to help me make sense of these feelings.”
He’d never felt so protective as he did right then—or so useless. For the first time that he could remember, he was scared. Gemma isn’t out of the woods yet. She could die. The fact that she won’t wake up cannot be a good sign.
His fear was like a physical pain in his chest. He sucked in a long breath. Laying his palm against her neck, he relaxed only when he felt her pulse beating steadily beneath his fingers.
As soon as this storm breaks, I’ll call the helicopter and get you back to the mainland. You’ll have the best medical care available…I promise. You have to wake up so I can tell you how I really feel.
“I want to raise Damien with you, by your side. Together, we’ll make sure he knows what a wonderful man his father was. He’ll have the best of everything, go to the best schools, and you won’t have to work unless you want to.
“We can take him to visit all of the places that bring a spark to his eyes. And maybe one day, we could have a few children of our own.”
He paused, tears filling his eyes. “Gemma, you have to be here to make this possible. Please, wake up. You have to fight.”
He dropped his head down, laying it against hers. He stayed vigilant over her all night long. When the winds finally died down close to sunrise, he fell asleep with her cuddled in his arms. Where you belong. I’ll always keep you safe. Nothing like this will ever happen again. You have my word.