The next morning…
Aimee waited nervously inside her rooms, jumping when her phone beeped and she saw the text from Gemma. She smoothed her hands down her pants and then left her rooms, heading for the breakfast dining room.
Everyone was there except for Alexi, but Gemma had assured her that Alexi wouldn’t leave without saying good morning to his parents. Aimee accepted the cup of coffee from the maid and then the fragrant piece of spanakopita. It had become her favorite breakfast. She forked the first bite into her mouth, savoring the saltiness of the feta cheese, mixed with the spinach, scallions and seasonings. The flaky phyllo pastry added just the right amount of crunch to the meal. If Alexi kicked her out of the mansion, this might be the last time she enjoyed spanakopita for breakfast, so she was determined to enjoy it.
Aimee took a sip of her coffee and gave Gemma a hesitant smile. Gemma looked at Leo. “He loved the picture.”
Leo nodded. “It was very well done. Thank you for taking the initiative to provide the public with a visual testimony to the love we share.”
Alexi strode into the room and then stopped when he saw Aimee sitting there. When he would have turned and left, Leo stopped him with a terse word. Alexi nodded and then took a seat at the table. “Kalimera.”
The greeting was returned. Leo pushed the newspaper across the table towards Alexi. “Did you see this morning’s news? That is a very good picture, don’t you think?”
Alexi frowned as he took in the picture. He looked across the table, meeting Aimee’s eyes.
Aimee took a deep breath. “I didn’t tell them about you. I swear. They wanted a picture of Leo and Gemma. The money they paid me is so I can go to photography school…”
“I already told you I was going to pay your tuition.” Alexi’s voice was rough with anger.
“But can’t you see, I didn’t want you to pay for it. I know the money means nothing to you, but to me, it means I can take care of myself.”
Alexi’s angry expression wavered. “Why won’t you let someone else take that burden on for a while? It’s okay to ask for help.”
Leo gave his brother a stern look. “I hope you’re listening to yourself for a change. Since everyone is here, now might be a good time to talk about what’s been going on and about the future.”
“Now is not the correct time.”
“I disagree. Our parents, Gemma and Kassi are the only ones who don’t know the threat…”
Kassi cleared her throat. “Actually, I kind of read an email on Alexi’s laptop the other day. I know you guys haven’t been telling me everything.”
Gemma looked irritated. “Well, at least you saw that much. Leo hasn’t told me a thing. You’d better start talking,” she informed him, a militant look in her eyes.
“Alexi,” Vasil said. “You mother and I would very much like to know what is going on in our own household. Now, I would suggest one of my sons explain what is going on. We’re all ears.”
Alexi and Leo took turns filling those gathered in on the emails and threats. Tressa cried when she realized how determined this person was. Vasil was furious, demanding this person be identified and brought to justice.
Alexi shared a look with Aimee and then spoke into the ensuing silence. “We know where the emails are coming from.”
“What?” Leo demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Aimee swallowed a sick feeling. “Because he was too busy being angry with me for talking to that reporter.” Have I endangered everyone?
Alexi looked slightly chagrined. “You and I must talk later. As for the emails, they are coming from Macris.”
There was stunned silence around the table. Aimee frowned. “What is Macris?”
“Not what, whom,” Vasil told her. “Drossos Macris was my business partner in the early years, but he behaved dishonorably and our association was terminated.”
“Dishonorably? How?” Gemma asked.
“He smuggled Greek antiquities out of the country and then brought in cheap replacements. When I discovered what he was up to, I notified the authorities and he was arrested. He died in prison several years later, leaving his wife and young son alone and almost penniless. For years, I tried to help them by sending monthly checks, but they were always returned un-cashed. After a decade, I stopped sending them.”
“What happened to the wife and son?” Aimee asked.
“The wife became ill and was institutionalized a few years ago. I remember my mother praying for her once,” Kassi said.
Aimee frowned. “And the son?”
Vasil looked sad. “Once Drossos Junior reached his majority, he tried to take Moustakas Shipping to the courts, declaring half of our company should have been his. The courts threw his suit out, and frankly, we haven’t heard anything from him for years.”
“It would seem that is not true,” Alexi said. “I did some checking last night with Piotr and the younger Drossos has made friends with some very unsavory men. If this man is issuing these threats, we need to take them very seriously.”
Leo looked at Alexi. “Still think you want to poke the bear?”
Alexi looked very determined. “Nai. The sooner the better. I’m going to send an email this morning. How often he checks his email will determine how quickly he responds.”
Aimee looked to Alexi for an explanation. “Poke the bear?”
“I’m going to let our friend know he wasn’t successful in getting me to back down and invite him to meet me. I’ll pretend to be Leo, but when he comes to the meeting place, he’ll find both of us there, along with Piotr and two dozen guards. Drossos’ days of issuing threats are finished.” Alexi grinned, but it wasn’t filled with warmth, but determination. “In the meantime, you all have extra security personnel watching your backs. Gemma, I know I do not have the right, but I would ask that you consider sticking close to the estate and keeping Damien with you.”
Gemma nodded, concern etched on her face. “Of course, Alexi. Damien and I will amuse ourselves here for the next little while.”
“Aimee and Kassi, I would ask the same of you.”
Aimee immediately shook her head in denial. “I can’t do that. I’ll be careful, but I have my first bona fide photo shoot this afternoon. Someone actually liked my portfolio and wants to pay me to take pictures of them.”
Alexi frowned. “I don’t like it.”
Aimee clenched her jaw. “I don’t care.” When Alexi’s look darkened, she hurried to defuse the situation, for the sake of the others present. “Look, I can take care of myself, and Kassi can come with me. Can’t you?”
Kassi smiled. “Yes, it will be fun. Alexi, relax. We’ll take a guard with us and everything will be fine.”
For a moment Aimee was afraid he was going to demand her compliance, but then he relaxed. “Fine, but try not to take any other engagements until this is all over? We worry… I worry about you.”
Aimee’s heart fluttered. Coming from a control freak like Alexi, that admission was a lot. Had he forgiven her? We definitely need to talk.
Vasil clapped his hands. “Get to work, boys. I have a new grandbaby on the way and I don’t want to spend my time worrying about everyone’s safety when they step foot off the estate.”
Leo stood. “Patéras, Alexi and I will set things right. Thank you for your understanding. Alexi, let’s go write that email.”
Alexi followed suit. He bent down and whispered in Aimee’s ear. “I don’t have time right now, but when you return this afternoon, you and I are going to have dinner together. Just the two of us. We are going to clear the air, once and for all.”
Is that a threat or a promise? Aimee met his eyes and then bit her lip, anxiety rising in her chest. “Okay.” There was a promise lurking behind his dark gaze, but given his earlier anger, he could also be looking for a chance to berate her once more. Uncertainty lodged in her throat, stealing some of the joy she should be feeling at landing her first official job as a photographer. I wish I knew what he wanted to talk about. One thing was for certain. Her future happiness rested entirely on the result of the conversation.