Carter sat across from Scarlett, beside Darren, and she drew his gaze to her silky hair, secured in a braid that hung over her shoulder. Her unusual purple eyes were obscured by lids naked of any make-up, and her lips bowed in an O. The gentle rise and fall of her breasts as she exhaled mesmerized him.

She was so vulnerable. Scarlett appeared to be sweet and innocent, and for a brief time, Carter could believe she was. How could her father’s corruptness have touched her in twenty short years? She seemed too pure to be his daughter, too unaffected by wealth and social position to be guilty of the crimes of which he’d accused her.

His eyes moved back to her face and settled on the mark on her cheek, left by Rocco Terini. It was an angry pink shade, with tints of brown and purple showing through. Rage sat like a hot ball in his stomach as he looked at the bruise, and Carter’s determination to destroy Rocco grew even more.

The jet was designed for long trips, so they did not touch down to refuel anywhere between San Francisco and New York. They left the plane at another private airstrip and took a taxi to their hotel. Darren had booked Scarlett into a suite on the floor with Carter’s. Carter knew Darren was trying to push them together, but he wouldn’t have it. Regardless of taking Scarlett to meet his mother, this was still a business arrangement. No matter how beautiful and innocent she could be.

* * *

Not wanting to spend the night in her room on her first visit to New York, Scarlett changed into a black crop top and a high waisted skirt and set out to explore the nightlife. She didn’t have much money left, so she would be conservative of where she went, choosing to walk instead of hailing cabs. Her ankle would protest at the exercise, but she’d worn flat shoes to be on the safe side.

Just as she was passing Carter’s door, he opened it, revealing himself still dressed casually.

“Going somewhere?”

“Is that not allowed?”

“Scarlett, as I have assured you many times, you are not my prisoner.”

“Then stop treating me like one. I’m just going out for a bit.”

“And your ankle?”

So he was pretending to be concerned. That was crap. “It’s fine,” she lied.

“Then enjoy your evening. We’ll be shopping in the morning, I would appreciate if you weren’t totally spent.”

“Aka hungover. You’re telling me to not get wasted at some bar tonight.”

He didn’t respond.

“I’m a lady, a classy one at that. And I’m smart.”

“I never indicated you weren’t.”

She rolled her eyes, “Goodnight Carter.”

He stood in the door and smiled, it made her even crazier. “Good night.”

Scarlett stopped at a coffee shop for mocha just outside the hotel and watched the other customers come in and out. She wondered what it would be like to live in New York City, amidst the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. Though she’d lived near San Francisco all her life, she had grown up at Terini Manor, and was suddenly feeling very sheltered.

After all, how many other girls would have allowed themselves to be used as collateral in a business deal? Most daughters would have told their fathers to go to hell, but she’d been responsible, as usual. Look where it had gotten her. Practically a prisoner of a man who hated her and her entire family. A man who would never believe she could love him...

Scarlett’s eyes widened at that intrusive thought. She didn’t love Carter, and she wasn’t falling in love with him either. He couldn’t even tolerate her presence. When she was near him, he was rude and abrasive, accusing her of being manipulative and greedy at every turn. No, she simply could not be falling for that man, she assured herself.

* * *

It was late the next afternoon when the plane landed on Carter’s private island, Thakilopos. The temperature was peaking in the upper-eighties, and Scarlett wished she’d worn something cooler. Feeling absurdly nervous about meeting Carter’s family, she’d chosen to dress conservatively in khaki slacks and a prim white blouse with frilly cuffs. Now she longed to strip off the clothes and put on the new swimsuit she’d purchased in New York.

A silver Cadillac waited for them, and Darren rode in the front with the driver, while Scarlett and Carter shared the back seat. She stuck her head out the window and took a deep breath. The humidity was high, and the air felt heavy and moist, making beads of sweat appear on her brow almost instantly.

It was a small island and appeared to have only this one road cutting through it. They were only a mile or so from the sandy, brown beaches and sparkling Aegean Sea. The car halted after a few short minutes, and Scarlett stepped out of the Cadillac, anxious to see the villa.

It was a squarish stone building, whitewashed, with olive trees in the yard. The grass was bright green, freshly mown, and masses of greenery grew in organized chaos. Scarlett followed Carter inside the house, noticing the exquisite marble steps, and gasped in delight as they went in the entry way. A breathtaking mosaic of Diana was inlaid under their feet, the details painstaking. “This is lovely.”

“My sister Thea designed it.” Pride warmed his voice. “She studied art in Europe and worked at the Louvre for a time before returning home. Now she paints and sculpts. In her free time, what little there is,” he shared an amused look with Darren, “She donates her services to restore ancient Grecian art.”

“Does she live here?” asked Scarlett, eager to meet the woman responsible for the beautiful art they were standing on.

Carter nodded. “Yes, she lives here with Mama, and my other sister, Lydia, and her son Noah.”

Scarlett was unable to ask any more questions as his family descended upon them. The two younger women were beautiful, with olive complexions and wildly curling black hair. They both talked rapidly in Greek. Scarlett turned her attention to the older woman standing slightly behind her daughters and saw she was being observed.

Carter’s mother was tall and elegant. Her thick, black hair, streaked liberally through with gray, was bound on her head in a bun, making her look almost severe. The warm smile of welcome on her face counteracted Scarlett’s first impression. In accented English, she asked Carter, “Who is this lovely woman you have brought with you?”

Carter hesitated briefly, and Scarlett had an insane urge to blurt out a name, any name, as long as it wasn’t her own. She was saved from doing anything foolish by Carter’s reply. “This is Scarlett,” he said, pausing as he looked at his sisters, then his mother. “Terini.”

His sisters, who were filled with friendly chatter only moments ago, fell silent, their mouths gaping open. His mother’s eyes widened with surprise, and maybe something more. Her welcoming smile disappeared, and Scarlett felt exposed before them. “Hello,” she said, trying to sound bright and cheerful, but only managing flat and hoarse.

A sudden flurry of Greek began, and Carter responded to them in the language they all shared. Darren seemed to understand it too, as Scarlett saw him wince a couple of times, usually when Carter raised his voice.

A sullen silence fell, and they stood there awkwardly. Carter took a deep breath, but there was still a flush to his cheeks. “Scarlett, this is my mother, Athena.”

Scarlett held out her hand, and Athena accepted it. It wasn’t a cordial exchange, but she wasn’t openly hostile. She turned to be introduced to the taller sister. Her eyes were dark and full of anger, and she held herself stiffly. “Scarlett, this is Thea.”

Scarlett extended her hand, but the other woman made no move to accept it. “This is a beautiful mosaic,” she said, faltering as those angry eyes continued to drill into her.

“You are not worthy to stand upon it,” Thea snapped, earning a sharp rebuke in Greek from her brother.

The last sister, who could only be Lydia, was also openly hostile. Scarlett didn’t bother to offer her hand, and she said nothing. After a tense silence, Lydia suddenly burst out, “How can you bring her here to our home, Carter? After what her father did? How can you bring such a traitor into this house?” With an angry sniff, Lydia turned on her heel and stomped away, quickly followed by Thea. Only Athena remained, and she was standing quietly, watchful.

Finally she spoke. “I did not know you were bringing a guest,” she said to Carter before turning to Scarlett, “So it will take a little time to arrange a room for you, Ms. Terini.”

“Please call me Scarlett.”

After a brief hesitation, Athena nodded once, “That would be for the best, I’m sure,” she said cryptically. “Let us have refreshments on the patio while we wait for your room.”

Scarlett followed Carter and his mother through the house, as Darren brought up the rear. Athena disappeared inside to order the room prepared before reappearing with a tray of fruit juice and biscuits. Conversation was stilted as they waited for the time to pass. “What do you do, Scarlett?” Athena asked as she refilled her glass.

“I’m a student. And you, Mrs. Braxton?”

“You may call me Athena,” she said. “Thanks to my son, I am a lady of leisure.” She gave Carter a proud smile.

“As you deserve to be,” Carter said quickly. “Mama is also active with several charities and often goes into Athens for social functions or charitable causes. Lydia is following in her footsteps.”

A maid appeared to let Athena know that the room was ready, so they went into the house and she took Scarlett into a spare room. It was not very large, but had a bed, a dresser, and a small attached bathroom, making it more than adequate.

To Scarlett’s surprise, Athena closed the door behind her and turned to Scarlett, looking very serious. “I must apologize for the reactions of my daughters, and for myself. I’m sure you can understand how shocked we were to hear your name, but that does not excuse our rudeness.”

“Why do you hate my family?” asked Scarlett, letting her confusion show.

With a great deal of surprise, Athena raised her brows. “You do not know?” Scarlett shook her head, waiting for an explanation that didn’t come. “Carter will tell you when the time is right I’m sure,” said Athena, looking uncomfortable as she opened the door. “If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. Dinner will be at nine, and it’s your decision if you want to dress up. I recommend cool and casual in this heat,” she added with a smile as she left.

Sighing, Scarlett unpacked her things, wondering at the angry reception from his family. What was the missing piece in this mystery? They obviously all knew something she did not, and she figured it must be connected with her father. She had to find out what was going on.