Chapter 15
The next day…
Gemma woke slowly. Her head was beating like a painful drum. Her body was sweltering hot. She pushed at the covers, only to realize they weren’t blankets, but a man’s arms holding her tightly. She turned her head slowly, groaning at the pain the movement caused, and came face to face with Leo. She gasped.
His eyes popped open. He hugged her tighly, muttering to himself in Greek for several minutes before releasing his grip. He searched her eyes. “You are awake!”
“Apparently so. Could you please let me go? It’s really hot under these covers.” Her voice was scratchy, making her head ache something fierce.
Leo loosened his arms. Gemma pushed the blankets back, realizing too late that she was completely naked underneath. “Where are my clothes?”
Leo pointed to a sodden heap of clothing lying on the tiled floor. “I didn’t have the foresight to hang them up to dry last night. I was too worried about you. Gemma, how do you feel?”
Gemma pulled a blanket around her naked torso. How do I feel? Everything that had happened the day before rushed back. “Petrina! She brought me out here and then left me here.” She gripped Leo’s arm. “She had a gun! Leo, she was going to shoot me!”
Leo looked grim. “The authorities have already questioned her. Once you have given your statement, she will be held accountable for her actions. Why would you go sailing with her after the way she treated you?”
Gemma flushed. “She said she was sorry and that she wanted to be friends. She seemed nothing like the woman I had originally met, and I wanted to get away….”
Leo’s eyes softened. “From me?”
“I just needed some time to think. Your parents took Damien…” She looked around frantically, as if she expected to see her son. “Leo, I need to make sure Damien is okay.”
Leo pushed himself to his feet. “I will try the radio, but I warn you, the storm was vicious last night. It might be a while before we get reception back.”
Gemma tried to stand, crying out as sharp pain lanced through her skull. She gripped her head with both hands. It was several seconds before she could speak. “What happened to my head?”
“You were bleeding when I found you floating at the sea. It’s a wonder the boat didn’t capsize.”
Gemma blanched. “I thought several times it might. Oh, God, Leo! The waves were so big…”
Leo pulled her into a hug. Gemma closed her eyes, basking in the comfort he offered. I’ll remember this feeling. I’ll need it in the days to come. She was pretty sure she would be having more than one nightmare about being trapped on the boat during the storm.
“Shush, lígo gáta. You are safe now.”
Gemma nodded gingerly. She allowed him to comfort her for several long moments. “Did you come after me?”
Leo nodded. “Yes, as soon as I realized what had occurred. I feel that this is all my fault.”
Gemma didn’t give him a pass on his feelings of guilt. It was pressure from him that had brought her to Greece in the first place. She pulled away. Immediately a wave of nausea hit her. “Oh, no.”
“What’s wrong?” he inquired, holding her up as her knees started to buckle.
“I’m going to be sick.”
Leo immediately swept her up in his arms, carrying her through to the closest bathroom. He deposited her by the toilet, holding her hair as she emptied her stomach.
When she was finished, he handed her a cup to rinse her mouth out with and then a damp rag to wipe her face. He then carried her back into the bedroom and settled her in the bed once more.
Gemma felt like a damp cloth. She could only huddle in the bed as shivers wracked her body. Her body was hurting everywhere and her headache was becoming more intense. “Leo, I don’t feel very well.” She closed her eyes, finding the effort to keep them open more than she had in her.
“I know.” His voice was soothing, and he gently massaged her hands. “Let me go try the radio and see if I can get some help headed this way. I could take you back in the boat…”
Gemma moaned in distress. “No boat!”
“I didn’t think you would be up for that and to tell you the truth, neither am I. Hang on, and I’ll get help coming as soon as possible.”
*****
Leo was frantic about Gemma. She didn’t look well at all. She needed medical attention soon. He fired up the radio, trying the first two of the three emergency channels, and getting no response. As he dialed in the third and final frequency, he offered up a prayer to the Gods for help. He sent the distress call and when a voice came back, he was so shocked that it took him a moment to respond.
“Ya sou. Is anyone there?” the voice called a second time.
“Neh! I’m here. This is Leonidis Moustakas. I have a woman in urgent need of medical attention on the island échase parádeisos. How soon can you send a helicopter?”
“Mr. Moustakas, we are pleased to hear that you did not perish during the storm.” It was the Coast Guard captain. “I trust you found the American woman?”
“Neh! She was unconscious. She’s awake now, but is nauseated and needs to see a doctor soon. Is the storm over?”
“It is. I will have a chopper headed in your direction as soon as we end this transmission. Is there a place on the island for it to land?”
“There is a helipad on top of the main house. You’ll see it marked clearly.”
“Very good. Safe journey, and I look forward to meeting this woman you risked your life for one day.”
Leo signed off and then headed to tell Gemma the good news. He stood in the doorway, watching her for several minutes. The thought of how close he’d come to losing her forever almost brought him to his knees.
She stood at the window, seemingly lost in thought too. Even in her disheveled condition, she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
Leo stepped toward her, hoping his words would give her relief. “I was able to make contact. A chopper is on its way right now. You need to sit back down before you fall over.”
Gemma tried to smile at him, but only tears came. “Damien?”
“I need to radio home and let them know what is happening. I will have them bring Damien to the hospital.”
Gemma’s tears fell faster. “No, please. I don’t need to go to a hospital.”
“The doctor…”
“Please, Leo. I don’t want to go to a hospital.”
Leo warred with himself for only a moment. “Very well. I will have the doctor come to you.” He grinned at her confused expression, smoothing her hair back from her face and using his thumbs to wipe away her tears. “Another benefit of having lots of money. You can pay people to do things others can’t. We have a family physician who loves making house calls. He’s been my doctor since I was born.”
Gemma smiled gratefully at him. Her tears started to subside. “Thank you. How do you say that in Greek?”
“Efkharisto,” he told her. “I will be happy to teach you all the Greek you want to learn, but first you must get better.”
“Could I… Could I talk to Damien?”
Leo nodded. He picked her up, covers and all, and carried her to where the radio was setup. He positioned her in the chair and then placed the call. The call was connected via a transfer station and shortly thereafter he was speaking directly to his father. He informed him of their situation and asked that the doctor be summoned to attend to Gemma’s injuries upon their arrival.
His mother was the next to talk. After assuring her they were both going to survive, he let Gemma speak with her through her tears. “Tressa, is Damien okay? I’ve never been away from him at night before.”
“He is doing fine, Gemma. He was a little confused when you were not there to tuck him in, but I took him up with me and we had a what do you call it…sleep over?”
Gemma smiled weakly. “Yes, that’s what we call it. Can I speak to him?”
“He is right here. Damien, can you talk to your momma?”
“Hey, sweetie.” Tears ran freely down her cheeks. Leo felt his own eyes well up. “I miss you, so much. I’ll be home soon. I love you.”
“Love you,” Damien repeated back to her, his tone indicating he was confused by hearing her voice and not being able to see her.
Gemma couldn’t talk anymore. Leo ended the call a few minutes later. He carried her back to the bed. “I’m going to see what I can find for us to wear. Even billionaires cannot go around naked without repercussions.”
Gemma tried to smile. “I would prefer not to arrive back at your parents’ home in a blanket.”
After digging through all of the bedrooms, he found enough clothing to decently cover both of them. He then went up on the roof to check there was nothing on the helipad to prevent the chopper landing safely.
Three hours later, they descended on the helipad at the Moustakas estate. Gemma had contained her nausea during the journey, but her skin was a pasty white. Leo could see the pain in her eyes. He didn’t wait for help, he simply picked her up and bore her inside the house.
There were many things he felt he needed to say—but not until she was pain free and willing to listen. He wasn’t sure if everything would work out, but the thought of living without her and Damien was a bleak one. One I will do everything possible to avoid.