The Greek Tycoon Box Set: The Complete Serial: Books 1-10 by Kay Brody Read Free Book Online Page A

urgent.
    “She called me awful names, Mr. Kostas. She said . . . well, she said some truly nasty things.”  
    Another long, silent moment passed. Carla wondered whether she had overstepped her bounds by telling her boss about this incident.
    “I will see you at home, Carla,” Atreus said stiffly, and there was a click as the line went dead.

    *****

    Later, Carla and Dios were playing on the lawn when a white sports car came up the driveway, spraying gravel into the air and all around. On instinct, Carla scooped up Dios and stood back from the car. An exquisite woman dressed in a smart white business skirt suit emerged from the vehicle, and Carla’s heart jumped to her throat when she realized to whom she was about to be introduced.
    “I expect you’re the . . . nanny?” Serene Kostas asked, the word falling off her lips with the same enthusiasm as one would greet a two-day old fish. “And I take it you conveyed my message to Atreus, since he called me in a rage. ‘How dare you call that fine woman a whore! She’s tending to our child!’ ” She mimicked Atreus’s deep, commanding voice.  
    The Grecian beauty stepped in close to Carla, who jutted out her chin and stood her ground.  
    I will not be intimidated, Carla thought. I will not let her see me tremble.  
    Serene pushed her dark sunglasses on top of her head and her eyes fell on Dios.  
    She held out her arms to the child, her voice taking on a saccharine quality so fake it turned Carla’s stomach.  
    “Hello, Dios,” Serene cooed, flexing her hands at her son. “Come to Mama!”  
    But Dios clung to Carla, making a small noise, and put his head in the crook of her neck. Serene persisted.  
    “Come on, Dios. You know your mama!”  
    The child pouted, on the verge of fearful tears, and hid his face. Carla’s blood ran cold as Serene’s teeth gnashed, her lacquered fingernails forcefully prying Dios from her arms.  
    The little boy began crying bitterly, looking to Carla for reprieve.  
    “Mama! Mama!” Dios cried, squirming and wriggling towards Carla.  
    Serene looked as though she might pass out from sheer anger.
    “What the – who the hell are you, making my son call you mama? You bitch!”  
    Serene shoved Dios back into Carla’s arms, where he sobbed but soon calmed under Carla’s touch.
    “It’s okay, baby. It’s okay,” Carla soothed, rubbing his back. “Mrs. Kostas, please, you’re frightening him! He’s so young, he can’t distinguish between -”  
    But Serene snarled, cutting her off.
    “You stupid, gold-digging bitch! You think you’ll be able to force your way into this family by tricking a baby into liking you? That Atreus will just have to marry you when he sees what his son thinks of you? You’re a pathetic fool. Almost as much of a fool as Atreus.”  
    Angrily, she reached into her handbag and thrust a stack of papers into Carla’s free hand.  
    “Give that to your boss, bitch!” Serene continued. “Divorce papers. Have him sign them and send them to Nikolas’ office. If you’re not too stupid to do that.”  
    She turned on her heels without so much as a wave to her son, and sped away from the villa in her sleek white car, leaving a cloud of dust and gravel in her wake.
    Carla hurried inside with Dios and locked the door. Alone, she was finally allowed to shudder with shock.  
    How could a mother act that way in front of her child? She wondered, holding Dios tight to herself. And what did Atreus ever see in that terrible woman?

    *****

    Atreus took one look at Carla upon returning home and knew something was wrong. Dios was down for his nap in the nursery and appeared to be content but Carla was clearly distressed.
    “What’s wrong? Is Dios ill? Did he get hurt?” Atreus asked.  
    She shook her head. Wordlessly, she retrieved the envelope and handed it to Atreus. Uncomfortable watching his reaction to the contents of the envelope, she ran to her room and locked the door.
    Atreus, ripped