no us. Not anymore. “No.”
“Who is she?”
Irena deserved that much. “An American who came to my office because of a life and death situation. She had business with me no one else could help her with. I’m still helping her solve a very serious problem before she returns to the States.”
“I see,” she whispered.
Except she didn’t see. How could she? Andreas wanted to tell her everything, but he couldn’t until he knew what Leon was going to do. Irena was best friends with Deline. The whole situation was more complicated than anyone knew.
He clutched the phone tighter. “I know I’ve hurt you, Irena, but to be less than honest with you at this point would be unconscionable.”
“Your father told me your courage is one of your most remarkable traits. After this conversation I have to say I agree with him. I love you, Andreas. I know you did love me in your own way. But you were never in love with me, otherwise—” She broke off talking. He knew what she was going to say, that otherwise they would have married months ago. “I’m going to hang up now.” The line went dead.
Horrible as he felt for hurting her, relief swept through him that from here on out he wouldn’t be lying to her or Gabi.
Before he let any more time pass, he had a second call to make to Leon, who was vacationing for the next two weeks on Milos with Deline and the rest of the family. With Gabi sequestered in Apollonia on the north end of the island nine kilometers from the Simonides villa, the timing and proximity couldn’t be better.
In anticipation of her falling in with his plan, he’d made all the arrangements ahead of time. Now there was nothing left to do but inform his brother, who’d known this call was coming.
As soon as they spoke he’d never heard Leon sound so upset. He hadn’t told Deline the truth yet, but knew he had to.
After encouraging him not to wait any longer, Andreas hung up to wait for Gabi’s phone call. If she chose to fly back to the States in the morning, then he’d take her and the twins home in the company jet.
Gabi’s father patted the side of the bed and stared at her with solemn eyes. “When did Thea tell you about Leon Simonides?”
With that question she realized it was going to be a long night. She sat down next to him. “Right before she died.” After clearing her throat she said, “All along Thea thought the man she’d made love with was Andreas. That’s why I went to his office.”
Her parents listened intently as she explained what had happened to Thea. “When she swore me to secrecy, I intended to honor my promise to her. But after she died, I kept looking at the babies and thinking how terrible it would be if they never knew their father, either. I realized I couldn’t go through life with that kind of a secret.”
“Of course you couldn’t.” Her father pulled her into his arms. “I love you more than ever for what you’ve done.”
“So do I,” her mother cried. “It took tremendous courage, darling.”
“I’m sorry to have lied about my reason for going to Athens on Friday, but I didn’t know if I’d be able to get in to see Andreas.”
“Thank heaven you did. Honestly, when he walked in the salon, it was like looking at the children all grown up.”
Her dad shook his head. “I’m still amazed by what we’ve learned. He’s a very remarkable man. A good one. No wonder he’s at the head of the Simonides empire.”
“You should see him with the boys, Dad. The way he responds, you’d think he was their father.” Her voice shook.
Her mother reached over to press her arm. “What’s Leon like?”
“I can’t tell yet. He was in shock on Saturday and hardly spoke, but the fact that he came at all speaks of his character.” She wiped her eyes.
“Seeing those two brothers together will really be something,” her mom said. “That’s how it’s going to be for Kris and Nikos.”
Gabi nodded. “Thea was so beautiful, and they’re so handsome already. When they’ve become men, they’ll be as spectacular as Andreas—I mean Leon.”
“Does he know Kris will have to undergo a series of surgeries in the future?”
“Not yet, Mom,” she mumbled.
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
“Because I knew Leon was in shock. When I put myself in his place, I realized how hard it would be for him to tell his wife. I suppose I didn’t want to scare him off or have him thinking I was after his money to pay for the medical expenses.”
Gabi’s father patted her arm. “Tell Andreas. He’ll know the best way to broach his brother.”
Her dad was right. “I will.”
“Do his parents know anything yet?”
“No.”
“So where is this safe place he was talking about?”
She slid off the bed, too filled with nervous energy to sit any longer. “On Milos.”
“Of course,” her father said. “Their family compound is on that island in a private bay that is better guarded than the White House.”
“Actually, he mentioned I’d be staying at a nearby village called Apollonia, but I don’t know any of the details yet. He said to leave everything to him, but I have to be sure it’s the right thing to do. I told him I would have to think about it. He’s waiting for a phone call from me tonight.”
Her dad cleared his throat. “I guess your mother and I don’t have to tell you how wonderful it would be to know you and the children are close by while Leon is deciding what to do. Naturally I’d prefer that you stayed right here and—”
“No, Dad,” she interrupted him. “I don’t know how you’ve done your work through all this, but it’s time you were able to concentrate on the job you were appointed to. You have too many dignitaries coming and going to put up with so much distraction.”
“You and the children are hardly a distraction, Gabi.”
“You know what I mean. Your life isn’t conventional. You need to get back to it. Andreas told me to think of this as a vacation.”
Her mother flicked her a thoughtful glance. “If Leon realizes he wants his children, then you have to admit Andreas has come up with a temporary solution that suits everyone. A week from now and everything could be settled. But it’s your decision.”
That was what was haunting Gabi. No decision sounded like the right one.
If Leon wanted to claim his children and raise them, then she would be free to get back to her old life in the States. But her world had changed so dramatically since her arrival on Crete four months ago, she didn’t know herself anymore.
The twins
