Chapter 17
The Moustakas Shipping Boardroom later that evening…
Leo stood at the head of the table. His father had declined to attend this meeting. Leo couldn’t blame him. Witnessing the company he’d spent his life building fall into the wrong hands was simply too painful. All of the board members were in attendance, as well as Petrinaand Leo’scousin Timon.
Timon was an unwelcome addition. He was his aunt’s son. Leo had never met a more irresponsible human being. The young man was recently released from his second rehab center, having developed a taste for drugs of all kinds in his late teens. At the age of twenty-six, he should have been a productive member of society. Instead he was nothing but a disappointment.
His uncle, serving as the acting director in Vasil’s absence, called the meeting to order. “Gentleman and ladies, we have come to this special board meeting to decide the fate of Alexi Moustakas’ stock certificates. Leo, you were charged with getting them transferred back to the family. Please tell the board the status of this endeavor.”
Leo glared at his uncle. The man knew full well what the status of the stock certificates was and had called this special meeting hoping to force Leo to conform to his will. He took a breath and looked around the room. “As you are aware, Gemma Larsen received the stock certificates from Alexi upon the occasion of his death. She is currently recovering from a near fatal incident, brought on by Petrina Pappas.”
Shocked expressions and muttered exclamations swarmed around the table.
Petrina surged to her feet, her expression outraged. “Lies! He tells lies! I tried to befriend this American whore and this is how I am repaid?”
Leo had endured enough. He pushed the intercom button in front of him. “You can come in now.”
The doors to the boardroom opened and two security guards appeared. “Miss Pappas, you must come with us now.”
As the guards advanced on Petrina, Leo’s uncle stood up, stunned. His face turned a deep purple color. “What is the meaning of this? Take your hands off of my goddaughter this very instant!”
The lead security guard turned. “Sir, I’m sorry to inform you that your goddaughter has been summoned to the police station for further questioning about the incident that took place with Miss Larsen.”
“This is ludicrous!” his uncle screamed.
The entire room erupted.
Leo slammed his hand down on the table to gain their attention. “Fine. Petrina may stay until this situation is resolved, but she will answer for her crimes.” He gestured towards a chair in the far corner. “Take her there and make sure she stays quiet.”
He turned his attention back to the actual board members. “Miss Larsen is aware that the stock certificates now belong to her.”
“Is she prepared to sign them over?” his uncle demanded.
Leo shook his head. “No one has asked her to and no one will. They are hers as my brother wished.”
Several senior board members looked ready to have heart attacks.
One of them finally found his voice. “Leo, the original deal was that you would either recover the stock certificates or marry Petrina, securing her uncle’s stock as your own. We understand that Petrina is no longer suitable as a wife for you... But we feel that as the head of a company, we would be best served if you were forced to settle down.” The man looked at his fellow board members and then baldly stated, “Therefore, you shall either marry this American to secure her stock votes, or convince her to sign them over to you.”
Leo was furious with their narrow-minded options. “Neither option is acceptable.”
The man continued as if he hadn’t heard Leo speak. “You’ve had ample time to complete the task set before you. One of the two conditions must be met by the end of the week.”
“Or what?” he challenged them.
His uncle spoke up. “Or Timon will immediately receive my share of stock, giving him a controlling interest in the company.”
Leo was aghast. “You would jeopardize the entire company to get your way?”
“In a heartbeat.”
Leo looked around the room, shaking his head. “I was hoping you all could see reason, but since you can’t…I request that you distribute my shares and hope like hell Timon doesn’t run this company into the ground before the year’s out. Theós!”
His uncle stared at him. “You would give up all of your wealth and claim to your family fortune for a female?”
Leo nodded. “I would. I will not be involved in coercing her to do anything. She is a Goddess among women, a true theá. I will not disrespect her any more than I already have.”
The room grew silent. Leo waited to hear the board members respond to his statement. There was murmuring amongst them.
The silence was pierced by a bloodthirsty scream from Petrina. “American whore! He’s mine!”
Leo spun around.
Gemma stood in the doorway, supported by the arms of his father and his mother. Leo’s cousin Kassi held Damien by the hand and from the look of pure joy on her face, she’d already fallen in love with his son. My son! Not Alexi’s. Mine. Leo felt his heart surge watching them, knowing the sacrifice he’d just made was completely worth it.
He looked at Gemma. “What are you doing out of bed? The doctor said…”
“The doctor is waiting downstairs. He felt that I was strong enough to come up here and save you from yourself. Now, gentlemen, if you will allow me…”
She let go of his parents’ elbows, walking around the table until she was face-to-face with Petrina. “What you did to me should land you in prison for a very long time. However, because of your long-standing connection to this family, I have talked with Leo’s parents and we have come up with a solution.
“It is clear that you need to figure some things out. The doctor has suggested a stay in a counseling center might help you and those around you.” Gemma paused and then added, “I will agree not to press charges against you for attempted murder, provided you leave now with the doctor and allow him to oversee your treatment.”
“You think I’m insane?” Petrina sneered. Her face contorted into a very unbecoming mask of fury.
“Insane? I don’t know. Unbalanced? Most definitely.” There was no hint of compassion on Gemma’s face. “Your answer, please.”
Petrina tried unsuccessfully to pull herself away from the security guards’ hold. “I would never survive in prison.”
Gemma directed the guards to escort her downstairs to the waiting vehicle, recommending place her in restraints before handing her over to the doctor. “I don’t want the man to get injured while playing the Good Samaritan.”
She waited until they had left the room to return to walk to Leo’s side. She nudged him. “Close your mouth. It was high time someone put that woman in her place.”
Leo leaned down and kissed her in full view of the board members. “I couldn’t agree with you more. Now, can you go back home and get your rest?”
Gemma started to shake her head. She grabbed his arm for support. “Not just yet. I have one more thing to do.”
She looked at the board members. A folder appeared in front of her, slid there by Tressa. She murmured her thanks and then addressed the table of men, “Gentlemen…Kassi, would you mind translating for me?”
Leo murmured, “I could do it.”
Gemma smiled at him. “I’d rather you just listen, but thank you.” She squeezed his arm and then began again. “Gentlemen. I have thought long and hard about what I am about to do, and I do this not for you, but for the man standing beside me.
“This man and I have had our share of problems. However, I know he is a good man and has changed over the last week for the better. He’s recently discovered he has a son, a child he thought was sired by his twin, but he was willing to raise as his own. Not many men would be willing to do such a thing.
“I’ve also come to realize that he loves me. The first time he told me that I found it hard to believe, but I know it to be true. So, as for your ultimatum, consider it answered. I will be marrying Leo as soon as it can be arranged. Not because you demanded it of us, but because I love him and cannot imagine my life without him by my side.”
Leo stared at her. She ignored him, focused on the task at hand. “As for the stock certificates…I have signed them all over to our son, Damien Moustakas. His name will be changed officially and I have designated Leo to act as his proxy vote until such time as he is old enough to do so himself.”
Leo’s uncle surged to his feet, his expression livid. “She cannot do that! The bylaws state that she cannot transfer those shares—”
“You didn’t object to the way Alexi transferred his shares and I won’t hear another word about this situation,” Vasil told his brother. He stepped forward, laying a hand on Gemma’s shoulder. “This is the finest woman I could have chosen for a daughter-in-law. Welcome to the family, Gemma.”
She turned and allowed Vasil to hug her neck. Leo couldn’t wait any longer. He swept up his future wife. Leo looked around the room. “Any other questions?”
When no one answered him, he grinned. “Meeting adjourned.”