Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 110771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“I’m going to search the hotels for her and call her father on the off chance that she called the bastard. If that doesn’t work, I’ll call Melina.”
“There’s no need. We know where she’s at,” Clinton—my chief of security—says as he walks through the trailer’s door.
“You found her?” I ask, wondering if I can finally start breathing again.
“Yes and no,” he hedges.
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“We know where she is,” he says.
“Good enough, go get her and bring her to my hotel—”
“Can’t do that boss.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“She apparently called her father when she left the house. Her father’s helicopter picked her up about an hour after she snuck out of the house on a private airfield in Athens.”
“Fuck!” I hiss. “Get the chopper ready. I’m bringing her back home.”
“Can’t do that, boss. The chopper is down for repair and the jet was used to take Victorio and Lodi back.”
“Fuck. Fine. Get the car ready. I’ll call George on the way.”
“You got it,” Clinton mutters.
I look over at my brothers—specifically Gio and Elias. “You two better pray that I bring my woman back.”
With that, I stalk out and I do it, finding that I’m praying too. I need her.
Chapter 25
Marco
Three Weeks Later
I walk into the Kratos’ offices, ready to do battle. I wasn’t able to get to Helena. I called her father, but his helicopter didn’t bring her home. It took her to his jet, and she’s been hiding out from me. I have no idea where she has been—despite my best efforts. Apparently, George Kratos has finally chosen to be a father, because he refused to tell me where his daughter was.
Fucking bastard.
He tried to arrange a meeting to dissolve our contract and to mend fences. He is wise enough to know that even though the Stratakis name is now bound with the DeLuca, we are only stronger—not weaker. He also knows that I’ve always been the brains of the Stratakis empire. If I had left all that shit to my father, he would have had us bankrupt in mere months. I wouldn’t agree to a meeting until Helena was there. Her cell has been deactivated. She won’t call me despite the demands I’ve made to her father. So, if she truly is intent on ending our engagement, she will have to at least look me in the eye.
I’m not letting her go. She can think what she wants, but she’s mine. I was the first man between her creamy thighs, and I’ll be the fucking last. I’ve been pushing our construction and demo guys. They’ve made a lot of progress in three weeks—even if it is costing me a whack. I know I’m nowhere near having a place I can bring Helena too—since I know when I get her, I will have to keep her tied and probably gagged. At this point, the thought of that is not unappealing. Hell, she’ll be lucky if I don’t tie her and keep her suspended from the ceiling until she caves. It’s not something I ever wanted. I get off on control, but with my history there’s no pleasure to be found in the rest of that shit. I’m upset enough with Helena, that I don’t give a fuck. She’s slowly unleashing the monster that I’ve done my damnedest to keep locked away. Today is her last chance. I hope she choose smart. I’m pretty sure she won’t.
Clinton and Gordon stop by the doors of the conference room, flanking it as I walk in.
As I push the double doors open, all eyes look up. I scan the room, immediately searching for Helena.
“Marco,” George Stratakis says. I ignore him. I look at the table and the blonde sitting, facing me. For the first time in fucking weeks, I feel like I can breathe.
“I want a moment alone with my fiancée,” I growl, getting a certain amount of grim satisfaction when Helena flinches. She bites her lip. Is she afraid of me? She should be. As mad as I am, she should be terrified.
“Now, see here, Marco. We’ve agreed to your demands, but my daughter has been through enough—”
“Your fatherly concern is noted, but it’s years too late. I want left alone with Helena, or I will make things very uncomfortable for you George and we both know I can do it.”
“Stratakis!” George blusters. He doesn’t want to lose face in front of his men, attorney, or daughter. Normally, I would care. Today, I do not. Today, the only thing on my mind is getting my woman, back. I sit down across from Helena and stare at her.
“Make your father and the others leave, Helena, or you won’t like how I make them leave.”
I watch as shock hits her face, stealing over her features. Her eyes dilate and I know she realizes I’m telling the truth.