The Greek's Stolen Bride by Kate Hewitt Read Free Book Online Page A

excitement or adventure."
    "Maybe that will change now."
    Ariana willed herself not to blush. "Tell me about yourself," she said, mainly as a way to distract herself from thinking about just what kind of exciting adventures she could be having with Theo Atrikes.
    "Like what?"
    He wasn't, she thought, very forthcoming. "Where did you grow up?"
    "Athens."
    "Do you have brothers or sisters?"
    "No."
    "Parents?"
    "Both dead."
    "So you're alone," Ariana said quietly and he gave her a rather flirtatious look that felt like a way to distract her.
    "I'm not right now."
    "How did you come to start your own IT firm?"
    "A combination of luck and grit."
    She wasn't getting anywhere with these questions. She decided to try another tack. "How did you learn how to fell a man with one blow?"
    Theo's efficient dicing stopped as he hesitated, glancing up at her, his knife in mid-air. "On the street," he said after a moment.
    "On the street?" Ariana shook her head, not understanding.
    Theo resumed his dicing, albeit a bit more slowly. "I was in a gang when I was a teenager."
    This shocked her. "A gang? You mean--"
    "A street gang. Pickpocketing, thieving, that type of thing." He glanced at her, his eyes glinting amusement even as his mouth twisted and she had a feeling he was feeling far from amused. "Shocked?"
    "Yes, a bit," she admitted. "Were you--were you poor?"
    "Yes."
    She thought of what he had said earlier: I am not a thief . "When did you stop? Change?"
    "I was caught when I was seventeen. The man could have had me arrested but instead he gave me a chance. A job."
    "And that was that?" she finished with a little smile.
    "Basically."
    "From errand boy to IT magnate?"
    "It took a few years, but yes." He went to the huge stainless steel fridge and took out some cucumber and yogurt. "What about you?"
    "What about me?"
    "Did you ever try to escape before now?"
    She shook her head. "It was impossible. I've never had any money or access to money. Even if I'd manage to get off the island I would have had nowhere to go."
    "Nowhere?"
    "Nowhere," she said flatly. The few friends she'd made at school had lost touch. Her relatives would report to her father. She was and always had been truly alone.
    "Did you ask any of the other six who came to the island to help you?" Theo asked as he sliced cucumber and red onion for the salad.
    "No. I didn't trust them."
    "And yet you trusted me?" he asked softly and she felt herself flush.
    "I trusted you had the courage to help me, and you did. As for the rest..." She swallowed, shrugged. "I don't know."
    "You know I would never hurt you or put you in danger."
    "I don't know anything. I barely know you."
    "Yet still you came with me."
    She lifted her chin, met his gaze directly. "You were my last chance. My only one."
    "You will trust me," he said, and Ariana didn't know if it was a command or a promise.
    "Why do you care?" she challenged.
    "I told you, it is a matter of honor. You are going to be my wife. It's my duty to protect you."
    "That sounds like a typical Greek male," she answered. "Even if it's not a typical marriage." She'd almost forgotten about that part of the plan. She still didn't understand it. "So when is our big day then?"
    "Tomorrow."
    " Tomorrow ?"
    "You think to wait? Your father will trace you here shortly, I'm sure."
    Fear made her insides tremble. "You think he'll find me?"
    "Of course he'll find you." Theo arched an eyebrow. "Surely you must have anticipated such a thing? Or were you thinking you would run forever?"
    "I..." She gave a shaky laugh. "I suppose I didn't let myself dwell on it. I thought if I had a little money I could find a place to stay, get a job..."
    "A job? What kind of job?" Theo's smile took the sting from his words. "You do know this country is in a recession? Many people with university and advanced degrees are unemployed."
    "And a girl with a convent school education and no experience wouldn't get very far?"
    "I'm afraid not."
    She shook her head, realizing the