The Greek Tycoon's Achilles Heel by Lucy Gordon Read Free Book Online

down the gangplank and into the car. On the journey back to Athens she tried to sort out her thoughts. She was angry, but mostly with herself. So many good resolutions ground to dust because of a certain tone in his voice.
    On impulse she took out her phone and dialled the number of Karpos, an Athens contact, an ex-journalist whom she knew to be reliable. When he heard what she wanted he drew a sharp breath.
    ‘Everyone’s afraid of him,’ he said, speaking quickly. ‘In fact they’re so afraid that they won’t even admit their fear, in case he gets to hear and complains that they’ve made him look bad.’
    ‘That’s paranoid.’
    ‘Sure, but it’s the effect he has. Nobody is allowed to see inside his head or his heart—if he has one. Opinion is divided about that.’
    ‘But wasn’t there someone, a long time ago—? From the other family?’
    ‘Right. Her name was Brigitta, but I didn’t tell you that. She died in circumstances nobody has ever been able to discover. The press were warned off by threats, which is why you’ll never see it mentioned now.’
    ‘You mean threats of legal action?’
    ‘There are all kinds of threats,’ Karpos said mysteriously. ‘One man started asking questions. The next thing he knew, all his debts were called in. He was on the verge of ruin, but it was explained to him that if he “behaved himself” in future, matters could be put right. Of course he gave the promise, turned over all his notes, and everything was miraculously settled.’
    ‘Did anything bad happen to him afterwards?’
    ‘No, he left journalism and went into business. He’s very successful, but if you say the name Demetriou, he leaves the room quickly. Anything you know, you have to pretend not to know, like the little apartment he has in Athens, or Priam House in Corfu.’
    ‘Priam House?’ she said, startled. ‘I’ve heard of that. People have been trying to explore the cellar for years—there’s something there, but nobody’s allowed in. Do you mean it’s his?’
    ‘So they say. But don’t let on that you know about it. In fact, don’t tell him you’ve spoken to me, please.’
    She promised and hung up. Sitting there, silent and thoughtful, she knew she was getting into deep water. But deep water had never scared her.
    She also knew that there was another aspect to this, something that couldn’t be denied.
    After fifteen years, she and Lysandros Demetriou had unfinished business.
     
    He’d said he would be waiting for her and, sure enough, he was there by the gate to Homer’s estate. As her car slowed he pulled open the door, took her hand and drew her out.
    ‘I won’t be long,’ she said. ‘I just have to go inside and—’
    ‘No. You’re fine as you are. Let’s go.’
    ‘I was going to change my dress—’
    ‘You don’t need to. You’re beautiful. You know that, so why are we arguing?’
    There was something about this blunt speech that affected her more than a smooth compliment would ever have done. He had no party manners. He said exactly what he thought, and he thought she was beautiful. She felt a smile grow inside her until it possessed her completely.
    ‘You know what?’ she said. ‘You’re right. Why are we arguing?’ She indicated for her chauffeur to go on without her and got into Lysandros’s car.
    She wondered where he would take her, possibly a sophisticated restaurant, but he surprised her by driving out into the countryside for a few miles and stopping at a small restaurant, where he led her to an outside table. Here they were close to the coast and in the distance she could just make out the sea, shimmering beneath the moon.
    ‘This is lovely,’ she said. ‘It’s so peaceful after all the crowds today.’
    ‘That’s how I feel too,’ he said. ‘Normally I only come here alone.’
    The food was simple, traditional Greek cooking, just as she liked it. While he concentrated on the order Petra had the chance to consider him, trying to reconcile