Stergios reached for the suitcase and flipped the lid closed. “You made a promise and I expect you to keep it.”
“You made promises to me, as well. You said you would make time for the baby and me. Instead you spend every waking moment at the office.” She returned to the closet and snagged a dress off the hanger. “My mother used to do that when she was building an empire of her own. I was alone then and I’m alone now.”
“It won’t be like this at the office for much longer,” he said. He would be home in the evenings once he had taken care of the public relations nightmare. News of getting his stepsister pregnant should have been a six-day wonder, but it didn’t help that there was no forthcoming wedding date. It showed his lack of commitment to the mother of his child. It suggested instability in the Antoniou family, not to mention legal ambiguity for his heir.
“I feel trapped,” she admitted. “I swore I wasn’t going to live like this again and I immediately fall into my old patterns. I stay in my room and out of the way or I’m in the garden.”
“You are not leaving.”
“I’m staying in Greece. Just not here in this house. I’m moving into a hotel for the short term.” She smoothed her hands over her hair and gave a deep sigh. “I should have done it from the beginning. Why did you want me to stay here?”
“This is the safest place for you,” he explained. “We have the best security here and no one can get to you.”
Jodie lifted her gaze to the ceiling as if she was saying a heartfelt prayer. “You don’t have to worry, Stergios. I keep telling you that but you don’t listen. I promise you that no one is out to get me.”
He gritted his teeth before he informed her of the threats his security team started to receive once they made their first appearance at the museum. It was the usual. They wanted to steal from her or hurt her. They wanted to take her from him.
Stergios was used to the threats being aimed at him. After his kidnapping, he learned to expect the worst in humanity. At times it was white noise and he was numbed to it. But when his security team told him about the first threat against Jodie, his rage had been swift and brutal.
“You are now a public figure,” he said. He was not going to tell her about the warnings and threats. Jodie should be allowed to live her life without fear.
“I will be safe in a hotel,” she promised.
“You will be safer here,” he argued.
Jodie paused and crossed her arms. “Are you trying to protect me or are you trying to keep me from finding out about the scandal?”
He lifted his head as the puzzle pieces started to fall into place. That was why she had this sudden need to leave. She discovered that the scandal was weakening him. His family and colleagues were not standing behind him. His enemies had smelled blood and were circling around him.
Stergios wasn’t worried. It was an inconvenience more than anything. At least he knew who his true allies were.
“I found out about it today,” she said. “I would have earlier but it’s been a while since I’ve seen a newspaper. Oh, and the internet connection has been under repairs for a week.” She arched an eyebrow. “What a coincidence.”
He rubbed his hand against the back of his neck. How did she find out? “I don’t want you to worry about it. The doctor said to avoid stress.”
“Avoid stress,” she repeated dully. “How can I when I’m the source of it all?”
Stergios stared at her. He didn’t see her that way. She might challenge and frustrate him, but she also brought him joy and light. Jodie was his port in the storm swirling around him.
“You’ve been through so much in your life. You’ve overcome horrific experiences and you were on to great things...” Jodie’s eyes filled with tears. “And then I showed up.”
He didn’t like the sound of defeat in her voice. “Have a little more faith in my abilities, Jodie,” he retorted drily. “I have accomplished many things and I’ve only just begun.”
Jodie wasn’t listening. “You should have married Aleka,” she said softly.
“That ship has sailed,” he said in a growl. He had heard that suggestion from everyone, but lately he felt as if he’d dodged a bullet.
She looked at the window. “Maybe I should go back to America.” She sounded preoccupied as if she was already making plans. “It would be better for both of us.”
“Oxi! No!” He moved in front of her, blocking her from the suitcase.
She took a step to the side. “Don’t worry, I can be back in time for the birth.”