“Did you hear anything?”
She darted Stavros a nervous glance. “Yes. She came to talk to him about her pregnancy. He denied being the father and asked her to leave.”
“Are you involved with him?”
Blood hammered in her ears. “We’ve spent a little time together, but I’ll be in Brazil in a few more days with my father, where he has work.”
“You’re resigning your job with PanHellenic Tours?”
“Yes.”
“Are you leaving because you believe Kyrie Konstantinos is the father of the baby and you have no hope of marrying him for his money?”
“No!” Enraged by the question, she shot out of the chair, then realized where she was and sat down again. “I have no hope of anything!” Not without Stavros.
“I’m leaving because my father loves and needs me. As for Kyrie Konstantinos, he told me he has never loved her and ended their brief relationship over three months ago. I believe him. Besides my father, he’s the most honorable man I’ve ever known.”
“Is there anything else you’d like to add or change to your testimony?”
“No.”
“Thank you.”
The screen went blank, but Andrea didn’t notice because she’d already hidden her wet face in her hands.
CHAPTER EIGHT
I HAVE NO hope of anything!
Andrea’s plaintive cry resounded in Stavros’s heart. He turned off the computer before pulling her into his arms. For a long time, he simply rocked her back and forth in an effort to give her comfort while he drew some solace from simply holding her. Those quiet little sobs shook him to the deepest recesses of his soul.
He kissed her forehead. “You didn’t deserve any of this. I know that deposition was brutal, but Myron had to learn everything he could so he’ll be prepared when he and I go before the judge. If Tina is pregnant, it’s not mine. When a DNA test is done, then she’ll have to come clean. If she isn’t pregnant, she’ll be cited for contempt.
“At that point my attorney will bring a lawsuit for perjury. In the end, her father will be the all-time loser, but I know that doesn’t repair the damage this has done to you.” He kissed her eyes and cheeks. “There’s no way to make this up to you, Andrea. Ask me for anything. If it’s within my power to give, I’ll do it.”
She sniffed and lifted her head. She looked at him through glazed eyes. “I know you would. What I need is to get back to Thessaloniki. Is your pilot down on the pad?”
His pain was worse than any the stingray had inflicted. “Yes.”
“Then I’d like to leave now.”
A great shudder racked his body before he released her and reached for his phone on the computer desk. He called the pilot and told him to get ready for takeoff. After he hung up, his gaze darted to hers. “Do you have everything packed?”
“Yes.”
With a sense of inevitability, Stavros picked up the duffel bag against her protest. Her nursing days were over. They walked through the house and down the back steps to the pad. When they reached it, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her precious mouth one more time before helping her into the helicopter. Anything more and he wouldn’t have been able to let her go.
“You’ll be home before dark. There’ll be a limo at the heliport waiting to drive you to your apartment.”
She wore a pained expression. “You don’t have to do that.”
“After what you’ve lived through and sacrificed for me, you can say that? I want to give you everything. I’m the one who absconded with you on Friday after work and brought you into this hornet’s nest. The least I can do is make certain you get home safely.”
He could tell she was struggling to swallow. “Thank you for everything, Stavros. I’ll never forget.” Her voice trembled.
No. Stavros wouldn’t forget either.
He shut the door and stepped away. The rotors started up and began to whine. He waved to her as the helicopter lifted off and swung in a northwesterly direction toward Thessaloniki.