Total pages in book: 189
Estimated words: 178200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 891(@200wpm)___ 713(@250wpm)___ 594(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 178200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 891(@200wpm)___ 713(@250wpm)___ 594(@300wpm)
“I know how most people see me. I understand why people see me that way, and it’s really okay.” She bit her lip for a moment as she struggled to keep herself composed. “But what’s not okay is for your judgment of Damen Leventis to be clouded by your judgment of me. Damen Leventis is – was – and will always be the best thing to happen to your company. Don’t allow people motivated by their self-interest to take Damen away from you.”
When she paused, Damen was no longer able to keep still, no longer able to bear the distance separating him and his wife. Her impassioned words humbled him, and even when he had successfully pushed his way to the front of the crowd, Damen still couldn’t think of what to say.
Mairi froze at the unexpected sight of Damen standing before him. How long had he been there? Had he heard every embarrassing word of her testimony? She watched with wide eyes as he reached for her, and she bit her lip hard when he cupped her face with a tenderness that nearly bordered on reverence.
“Y-you won?”
His lips curved at the question, the words another subtle proof of her complete faith in him. “No.” When she looked shattered, Damen continued gravely, “Nothing I did inside made me win. It was here – what you did that will win me the case.” Gently wiping the stray tear that had leaked out one corner of her eye, he said hoarsely, “The judge decided to subject the company’s future ownership and management to a vote. He wants every vote tallied, not just the board members, but every shareholder and employee as well.”
Mairi started to cry, relief nearly sending her to her knees as she understood what her husband was saying.
“After your speech, sweetheart, who do you think would win?”
She sobbed, “Me.”
He laughed even as he pulled her close for a kiss, unable to wait for them to get to somewhere private. “I love you, my precious.”
She whispered back, “I love you, dreamboat.” More laughter mingled with their kiss as she spoke the words. Three words that were Mairi’s gift to herself because she wanted her last memory to be of Damen Leventis smiling. She would treasure this look of his forever.
And then his phone rang.
Mairi didn’t lose her smile, didn’t even feel the need to cry when Damen pulled away at the sound of it. It was fitting, after what she had decided.
Before answering Willow’s call, Damen told Mairi, “I have to take this call. I...need to talk to my attorneys, too. Is it okay if you go home first?”
“Sure.” She meant it. She no longer had any right to mind what Damen chose to do.
“Wait for me there?”
“Of course.” But this time, she lied.
Chapter 21
She said: To wed a Greek billionaire, one must be very good at keeping what she’s caught.
He said: You make me sound like a damn fish.
She said: But a very gorgeous fish.
He said: Still a damn fish.
PROOF OF MAIRI’S DEJECTION was how she appeared unaware of the fact that it was taking the driver at least thirty minutes longer than he should to drive them home. When the driver became aware of the contemplative look Drake was subjecting him to, his fingers tightened nervously around the steering wheel.
“I thought we should take another route to avoid traffic,” the driver said lamely.
After a beat, Drake answered mildly, “As long as you have no plans to kill us, I don’t mind what route you take.”
The driver gulped. “No, sir.”
“Because if you have, now is the time to change your mind. It will not end well for you if you don’t.”
“I swear, sir. I just...need to take this way on the way to Mr. Leventis’ home.”
Drake nodded. “Just so we are clear.”
When they reached Damen Leventis’ home, Drake noted several things were amiss. The silence enveloping the home was unnatural. Not dangerous, but...questionable. As he slowly got out of the car, Drake made a subtle gesture with his fingers, a secret signal for his men, all of them working incognito, to inspect the property for threats. He was probably being paranoid, but playing it safe was always better than being careless.
Upon entering the house, Mairi turned to him, a drawn look on her face. “Can you wait for me here? There’s something I need to get from my room.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Mairi frowned. “You don’t have to.”
“I prefer to.” Rather, it was necessary because the house felt too empty and dark.
Shrugging, Mairi said, “Okay. Just wait for me in the hallway then.”
When Mairi entered the bedroom she shared with Damen, Drake moved to one end of the hallway and checked the front yard. Nothing except for the other car Stavros Manolis had lent to Damen, which was parked a good distance away from the house. Why would the man park so far from his own home?