Heeding Athena’s advice, Scarlett wore a light skirt and blouse down to dinner. If she’d known how chilly his sisters’ reception would be, she might have worn a sweater. Lydia sniffed when she entered the room, and Thea turned her back. A boy of perhaps eleven sat on the couch, wearing shorts and a button-down shirt, and he glared at her as well. With his black hair and dark eyes, there could be no mistaking his relation to the Braxton family.

Not bothering to speak, knowing she would receive no answer, Scarlett went to the far corner of the room and stared out the window. She was still able to make out the sea, a small dock, and a medium-sized yacht anchored to it. A smaller speedboat drifted beside the yacht, and Scarlett assumed that was their primary transportation to Mykanos and Naxos.

She looked around just as Athena and Carter entered the room, followed by Darren. Athena was dressed casually, as were her daughters, so Scarlett stopped worrying about her choice of clothing.

Not that the right outfit would make them accept her, she acknowledged. There was nothing she could do to win over these women, and it didn’t matter. She didn’t have to be liked by Carter’s family. It was not required that they get along. After two weeks, she would never see them again, so if they didn’t want to be polite, she could live with an uncomfortable twelve days.

After drinks, they adjourned to the dining room. The meal passed in cold silence, with only an occasional remark made by Athena or Carter. The sisters were stubbornly silent, and Noah spent the entire time glaring at her sullenly. Scarlett resisted the urge to demand why he hated her as she forced the food down her dry throat, wishing she was anywhere but here.

“This is a lovely island,” Scarlett said, trying to break the silence.

“Yes, it is home,” Athena said.

“Has your family owned it long?” asked Scarlett.

“Carter purchased it five years ago,” Lydia said in a frosty tone. “He takes great care of us. He is good to those he loves and ruthless with his enemies.”

How did she respond to that? “Er—”

The child suddenly stood up. “I know who you are.”

“Sit down Noah,” Athena urged.

“You’re a Terini, and you’re all murderers.”

“What?” asked Scarlett, aghast.

Carter spoke up for the first time. “That is enough, Noah.”

“It’s not enough,” Lydia snapped. “It can never be enough.”

“Lydia...”

“I hate her,” Noah said shrilly, pointing to Scarlett. “I wish her family was dead.”

“Cease,” said Carter, following his command with a burst of Greek.

Noah proudly raised his head. “I don’t have to listen to you. You aren’t my father.” His burning black eyes turned to Scarlett. “My father is dead.”

Taking a deep breath, Carter said, “I’m not your father, but do you think he would be proud of this display? Would he admire you for yelling at a woman?”

Noah dropped his head. He still wore an angry expression, but now it was tempered with guilt. “May I be excused?”

“That’s very wise,” Carter agreed, and the boy rose from the table. With one last angry glance at Scarlett, he fled the room.

“That was uncalled for.” Lydia’s eyes sparkled with anger. “How dare you speak to my son that way?”

“He needs guidance and firm rules,” said Carter. “He needs a man around to act as a role model.”

“His father would be around if it weren’t for her family,” Lydia said hatefully and left the table.

“Have you nothing to add to these dramatics?” Carter asked Thea with deceptive blandness.

“You know my feelings.” She rose from the table. “I hate the Terinis.” Her cold gaze settled on Scarlett. “But I don’t have the same depth of rage as Lydia and Noah. I believe they have reason, don’t you?”

Scarlett watched her depart, her mouth still hanging open at the accusation.

“Does that little boy think I killed his father?”

Carter shook his head. “Not you,” he said before also leaving the table. His mother quickly followed him. Scarlett sat staring at her food unable to eat. What had just happened? Who killed Lydia’s husband?

“How’s your fish?” Darren asked Scarlett, breaking the tension.

* * *

There was a small balcony attached to Scarlett’s room, and she went outside to breathe in the sea air after changing into shorts and a tshirt and running a brush through her hair. There was a chill in the air, and it sent delicious shivers down her spine. Propping her elbow on the wrought iron railing, Scarlett rested her chin on her palm and stared up at the stars.

The night sky was sharp black, with thousands of pinpoint lights shining through. Though she’d never lived in the city, the sky at her home was never this bright and pure. If only she didn’t feel like a pariah, she would love this place.

She wished she were here on her honeymoon. Just her and the man she loved, she thought hazily as her eyes closed. She would soak up the sun during the day, while gazing at the stars at night. They would take a blanket down to the shore, and Carter would take her in his arms...

Scarlett gasped, opening her eyes at that unsettling thought. Why did her mind persist in building these fantasies around Carter? Was she one of those girls who only wanted a man who was unattainable?

Gnawing worriedly at her lip, Scarlett sank down into a wrought iron chair, shivering slightly as the cold metal pressed through her thin tshirt. It was true she’d never had much interest in the boys she’d dated, not that there had been many. She’d never felt the urge to let them get past a clumsy kiss or quick grope. Now she was having these desires for Carter, and the only logical conclusion to be drawn was that she wanted to get hurt.

She looked up as the door on the balcony next to hers slid open and Carter stepped out. He was clad only in a brief toweling robe, and her heart skittered crazily. Damn he looked good, even as most of his body was hidden in the shadows. “Hi,” she said nervously, resisting the urge to run.

He nodded at her, remaining silent as he watched her. “What?” she burst out, unable to tolerate the lengthy silence.

“I’m trying to figure you out,” he admitted.

“What are you trying to figure out?” Scarlett asked in a husky whisper.

“How much you are like your father?” He didn’t break eye contact.

“Why do you care?” Scarlett watched him warily as he came closer, leaning against the railing. If she walked over to the side of her balcony, they would only be a few feet apart. She would be able to reach over and touch his rippling muscles if she so desired. Scarlett tried to block out that disturbing thought.

Carter shrugged. “It’s not important. Would you like to go into Mykanos tomorrow? We could make a day of it if you wish.”

“That would be nice.” As long as his sisters weren’t coming, she added silently. She rose to her feet, anxious to escape his presence and the resultant thoughts he inspired. “Goodnight, Carter.”

“Goodnight,” he said softly as she went inside.