The Renegade Billionaire

“They hide in the shallows under the sand.”

“Stavros must have stepped on it while he was pushing the boat off the sand. I heard him groan and then he paled so fast.”

“It’s the shock. But the cut doesn’t appear to be deep and I doubt it will become infected.”

“Can I take him home tonight?”

“If his blood pressure is good and he doesn’t have any trouble breathing, then I would say that’s a real possibility. He’ll have to stay on oral antibiotics for a while.” Her father had been given antibiotics too.

While she sat there waiting for Stavros to wake up, she could tell he was getting his color back, thank heaven. In a minute, a technician wheeled in a cart holding a rectangular basin of hot water. The doctor lifted Stavros’s left leg. Once the basin was in place, he lowered the bottom half and foot into the water.

Stavros was such a striking man. To see him incapacitated...to see one of those long, strong legs injured...it just killed her.

“There’s a lounge on the other side of the clinic with food and drinks.”

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry. We’d just eaten a big meal before this happened.”

“Very good. I’ll be back.”

“Thank you for everything, Doctor.”

“It’s a privilege.”

That was the sentiment Andrea saw in the people who interacted with Stavros. She loved him so much and pulled the chair closer to his side where she wouldn’t disturb the drip in his hand. Her mind played over the events of the past ten days. It was pure chance that they’d met at all.

If Sakis hadn’t sent her to investigate Darren’s disappearance—if the teen had decided to run away at another stop on the tour—if Stavros hadn’t been available. So many ifs that had to occur with split-second timing for them to have been brought together in the cosmos.

And now this injury.

It could have been fatal if he’d been stung in the heart or abdomen. A shudder ran through her body. While she sat there trying not to think about his close call, the doctor came in again, followed by the technician, who wheeled in another basin of hot water. They repeated the process.

“His vital signs are holding,” the doctor informed her. “This sleep is doing him good. I’ll give this another twenty minutes, then take a look at the cut.”

Ten more minutes and she heard him say her name. “I’m here, Stavros.”

“I need to feel you.” He moved his hand toward her. When she grasped it, his heavily lashed eyelids opened.

Andrea leaned closer. “How’s the pain now?”

“What pain?”

She squeezed his hand. “You don’t have to act brave around me.”

“Whatever they gave me knocked me out. I don’t feel a thing.”

“That’s good.”

“Have I told you you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever known?”

“It takes an amazing man to recognize one.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.” She smiled. “Your doctor says it’s an honor to be taking care of you. I agree. Is there anyone who ought to know what’s happened to you?”

“The only person of importance is you. With you watching over me, I don’t want anyone else.”

“That’s the painkiller talking.”