The Renegade Billionaire

Last night, their passion for each other had driven them over a threshold to a more precarious place. He knew it had shaken her. Though she’d professed her love for him, they were in an impossible situation because the bond with her father went fathoms deep.

Without a mother all her life, Andrea revered the man who’d raised her. She was so attached to her father, she wouldn’t allow another man to come between them if it meant a separation.

I’m leaving because my father loves and needs me.

That said it all. Stavros didn’t blame Andrea for anything, but he refused to pressure her. His parents had done that to him his whole life and it had caused a rift he doubted could ever be mended. Look what pressure had done to Tina.

Andrea would have to come to terms with her emotions on her own. Ferrante had recognized he wanted her enough to accommodate her. But Stavros didn’t have that luxury. He’d started a new business. Hundreds of plant workers and truck drivers depended on him. If he wanted her with him, he would have to find a way, but there were certain things he needed to clear up first.

Stavros had achieved two of his lifelong dreams, but the third one still eluded him. To find the right woman was difficult enough, but to make a relationship work meant sacrifice on both parts to achieve real happiness.

When he couldn’t see the helicopter any longer, he walked back in the house and headed for his den. His work was never ending. That was good because he doubted he’d be able to sleep. For the time being, Andrea was only as far away as Thessaloniki, but she might as well be on another planet.

After his flight to Kavala on Thursday for the hearing generated by evil design, he’d fly to Thessaloniki and see her one last time. He couldn’t leave her hanging about the results of the hearing. She deserved to know the outcome from him in person. If he went to her office before she left work, she couldn’t refuse to see him.

Once seated at his desk, he opened the accounts file. The difference between profit and loss was in the numbers, which he constantly scrutinized for errors. While he was deep in calculations, his cell phone rang. It couldn’t be Andrea. She was still in the air, but just the thought of her caused his pulse to speed up.

He checked the caller ID and clicked on. “Leon?”

“Hey, bro. I heard old man Nasso served you with a breach of promise notice.”

“He did more than that. He named Andrea codefendant.”

“He’s a sick man. Does Andrea know?”

“She was the one served when she answered my door.”

“Hell, Stav.”

“There’s more. Myron deposed her on a Skype conference call so she won’t have to appear at the hearing. The questions tore her apart. Right now she’s flying home in the helicopter. In another few days, she’ll be going to Brazil with her father.”

“I thought you loved her.”

His eyes closed tightly. “With every fiber of my being.”

“Then how come she’s leaving?” When Stavros didn’t answer, his brother called, “Stav?”

“I’m still here.”

“Does she know you love her?”

“Yes.”

“Does she love you?”

“Yes.”

“Then what in the hell is the problem?”

“Because she’s leaving with her father, and my life is here.”

“You’re serious.”

“Afraid so.” Stavros told his brother about Ferrante. “He gave up everything for her. It was the only way he could have her.”

Leon was quiet for a long time. “That’s a tough one. I don’t envy what you’re goin

g through. I wish there was something I could do to help.”