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Mina did not like bullies, and very quickly she had realised that Alexander was little more than a blowhard one, and as with all when stood up to, he had backed away from her, instead turning his attentions to the other two people in the room reverting back to Greek as he had screamed at Theresa.
About to step in, it was the whiplash voice behind her that had silenced everybody. Whipping around she could see Nikos stood, his tall frame filling the door, his grey eyes bright with fury. He had spoken sharply and directly to Alexander, who had clamped his mouth shut, his eyes flicking around uncomfortably. Again she was not able to understand what was being said, but his looks in her direction, had confirmed in her mind that he was talking about her.
Flipping over to English, he had moved forward, his tone brooking no dissent as he had snapped at the younger man.
“You will apologise to Miss Lane now Alexander”.
She could see as Alexander Mentis had scowled, his body rigid, as he had glared both at her and Nikos.
“I apologise for yelling Miss Lane” he had muttered, his tone holding no sincerity. He had then moved towards the door before looking back.
“But I did mean what I said” quickly moving outside as Nikos had made towards him, his body bristling with anger.
They had heard the sound of the car engine being gunned, as it had moved quickly out of the driveway, the sound of small chippings flying clear from the tires as it had sped away. With a small sigh, Nikos had turned to the other two, his voice softer as he had spoken, again in Greek, both looking at each other as they had thrown small smiles at Mina before moving away.
Nikos had then turned to look down on the woman stood so silently, he had once more thought how lovely she looked, his voice apologetic.
“I’m sorry Mina. I tried to get here as fast as I could when I heard Alexander had found out about you…but I guess he drives a bit faster” his mouth twitching as he had tried to alleviate the situation. Giving him a small return smile, trying not to show the upset she felt she had nodded.
“Yes…I think so”.
Sighing gently “I guess that there is no point in expecting a fluffy huggy family reunion then” her eyes twinkling with mischief, as he had laughed.
“No…I’m guessing not”, his wonderful grin once more softening his handsome features, making her insides feel melty.
“I informed the board today of your existence, and they have begun proceedings of adding you to the voting, once your rights as Alexander’s daughter are verified”.
Looking over at the door, which was still lying open, she had spoken softly.
“This is why I didn’t want to be identified Mr Dupris…I have a feeling that he will not be the only person who feels free to abuse me…or my mother if they find out about her”.
She had felt as his hands had moved to hold her shoulders turning her around to face him, his expression grim, Mina fighting the sudden tremor which had passed through her at this smallest of touches.
“If anybody tries what he just did, then I will make them pay”.
Mina had flicked her look up to his eyes, seeing honesty within them, and knowing that he would be a formidable enemy, nodding her head softly.
Just at that moment Dina had skipped her way into the hallway, her eyes lighting up seeing Nikos stood there. He had released Mina and turned to the small girl.
“Princess…” he had cried, bending as she had run forward leaping into his arms, hugging the tall man.
“Look Nikos…look at the picture Mina drew of me”.
Her hands holding out the sketch she had drawn earlier. He had admired it, looking over at her.
“You are very talented” his only comment, before giving a small chuckle pointing out the crown to a delighted Dina. As she had wriggled to be let down she had then ran over to Mina, holding out the picture she had drawn, the rough image of a flower visible. Mina had held it up and admired it from all angles before squatting down and declaring it to be the best flower she had ever seen, Dina laughing happily, Nikos watching the scene, his lips curled in a grin.
As the small girl had ran off to find her grandmother to show her picture, he had looked at Mina.
“You are very good with children”.
Mina looking back at him “I love children, one of the reasons I went into teaching I guess”.
Seeing as Nikos had nodded, before asking if she would join him in the dining room.
There he had sat at the large opulent table, pulling papers from the briefcase he carried.
“Tomorrow you need to go to the following clinic, where you will give DNA samples to allow them to prove that Alexander was your father”
Giving her an apologetic mirthless smile
“Doing it at the clinic will also ensure that there are no calls of foul play on my part”.
Mina had nodded softly. She had always expected to be asked to do this, the process not one that took long or was invasive. She had taken the appointment details from him, opening her mouth softly to ask “How am I supposed to get there?” seeing as Nikos had given a small smile.
“Well I would have asked Yanis to take you”.
Quickly adding seeing the discomfort on her face “But I thought you might prefer to drive yourself…which is why I have organised for a rental car to be delivered later today for your use …for as long as you need it”.
Mina had looked at him with surprise, once more not sure how to take yet another act of kindness, the softness in Nikos’ eyes and smile becoming more businesslike as he had briefly looked down at the papers.
“In three days we are going to be attending functions, where you can be seen and have your connection with Alexander become public knowledge”.
She felt her insides cringe, feeling the heat on her cheek as she had blushed, this surprising Nikos who had watched her closely.
“Is…is that necessary?” she had muttered, her large eyes beseeching, as he had nodded, his features set.
“Yes…very”.
Dropping her eyes, she had once more reminded herself that she was doing all of this for her mother and that when it was over she was unlikely to meet anybody ever again. Nodding she had wordlessly agreed as the man before her had moved on.
“I have ensured that plenty of money is put into your account, so you can look the part”.
With a small frown she had taken the small slip of paper he had given her, gasping in shock on seeing the amount of money now sitting in her account, her eyes flying to his.
“If you need more just let me know”, he had said so matter of fact, as she had again stared at the balance in her hand, knowing that it was more money than she could make in a year, no two years she had corrected herself.
“It…it is far too much Mr Dupris” she had stuttered.
His small chuckle had sent her eyes flying to his, seeing the humour on his face.
“Wow that is the first time I have heard a woman complain about getting too much money for clothes”, Mina giving a nervous shaky smile in response as he had held out another sheet of paper.
Taking the sheet, her eyes had quickly scanned the list of different outfits he had written on it. Suits and cocktail dresses two of the items she did not possess in her own wardrobe at home never mind on holiday, Mina frowning softly so unsure where to get such items. She had been aware as he had moved closer to her, once more feeling the inexplicable tremor of awareness passing through her as she had looked up.
Nikos had watched the young woman before him. Taking in the myriad of emotions which had passed through her large innocent eyes, this thought making him frown slightly. Nothing connected with Alexander Mentis was innocent, certainly not his daughter. His eyes had once more scanned her features, feeling his body’s tightening awareness for Mina, the sudden urge to touch her so strong as he had moved forward, fighting the desire to run his hand down her wonderful body, his voice hoarse.
“One more thing Mina please call me Nikos. Everybody in this household does and it will seem strange if you keep calling me Mr Dupris”
She had continued looking up at him, her mouth suddenly so dry, seeing the way he was watching her, their eyes locked as the air had become tense, full of charged sensual signals. For several seconds both had been so silent, held in the grip of this strange emotional exchange, before shaking himself and stepping back, Nikos had turned from her, his voice once more so businesslike, as he had moved from the room.
“If there is anything else you need Mina, then Theresa, Yanis or I will be only too happy to help”.
Mina had sunk into the closest chair, her nerves in tatters, had he been about to kiss her? And more importantly, had she wanted him to?
With a soft groan she had chastised herself. Nikos Dupris was the enemy - he was using her to get his own way. Why would she even consider allowing that man to touch her, the thought of his sensual seductive dark eyes once more sending a shiver through her, a soft sigh escaping her lips
“Grow up Mina, focus on why you are here” she had muttered, before standing and moving back to her room.
