He would take her… while bleeding the billionaire for a few of his millions of euros. And when it was done, when the ransom was in hand and the trail cold…
He would have his revenge. Not just for the scandal. Not just for the whispers and the exile and the humiliation. But for what she cost him.
“The gods always repay betrayal,” he whispered to no one, the phrase bitter on his tongue.
And he? He had waited long enough to collect.
She would know it was him before the end.
He slid into the driver’s seat of the van and watched.
Soon,he promised himself.
Very soon.
The Axopar 37 Sun-Top purred beneath Alexandros as Demetrius eased it into the marina’s outer channel. The sleek Scandinavian craft sliced cleanly through the early evening tide, its matte hull catchingsoft flickers of sunset gold. The engine rumbled low, steady—controlled power beneath his feet. Alexandros didn’t notice the breeze off the sea or the sting of salt in the air.
His focus was entirely on the woman standing barefoot at the edge ofThe Gentle Breeze.
She turned at the sound of their approach, sunlight kissing her face, and smiled.
It wasn’t a polite smile. It wasn’t measured or practiced or held back. It was delighted—utterly unguarded—and it hit him like a damn lightning strike.
She wore a loose peasant blouse the color of sea glass, the sleeves fluttering in the breeze. Her skirt flowed around her legs like a living thing, patterned in tiny, embroidered wildflowers that looked like they’d been pressed by hand. His gaze dropped to her bare feet. Dainty, with a series of beaded ankle bracelets wrapped around one.
He’d never picked up a date who was barefoot.
And certainly never one who made his mouth go dry as she grabbed a line, hitched up her skirt, and climbed onto the dock with effortless grace.
A sound hissed from between his teeth, unbidden.
Demetrius chuckled beside him, low and amused. “I’m telling you—she’s trouble.”
Alexandros didn’t look at him. His gaze was locked on Dani as she walked toward them, the sway of her hips unintentional, unstudied. She was all motion and contradiction—sunlight and steel, softness wrapped around something unbreakable.
She stopped at the edge of the speedboat and looked down at him with a teasing glint in her eyes.
“You pick your dates up by boat?” she asked, grinning. “And not a minute late. I’m impressed.”
Alexandros rose to meet her, every inch of him taut with awareness. “Only the extraordinary ones.”
He reached up, his hands sliding around her waist. The moment his fingers brushed her sides, fire shot through his veins. Her breath caught—he felt it. Saw the flicker in her eyes. The way they dilated.Her hands tightened slightly on his shoulders before trailing down his chest as he lowered her into the boat.
He nearly groaned at the contact.
Control. He needed control.
“You’re stronger than I expected,” she reflected, her breath warm and teasing against his ear.
His eyes flashed as the tendrils of desire flamed. He reluctantly released her before guiding her toward the cushioned rear bench. She swept a loose curl from her face and tilted her head at him. The light breeze tugged at her skirt and blouse.
“You okay with the wind?” he asked, wanting a reason—any reason—to pull her closer.
Her eyes sparkled. “Are you kidding? This is fabulous.”
She turned to Demetrius and offered a cheerful, “Hi. You’re Demetrius, right? I didn’t know you doubled as a captain when you aren’t following unsuspecting girls around. Sweet ride, by the way. What kind of motor does this thing have?”
Demetrius’s mouth curved into a smile as he responded, describing the twin Mercury Verado 350s and the boat’s performance specs. She leaned forward, totally absorbed, tossing questions like she belonged in a marina more than any luxury villa. Alexandros watched the way she asked about torque curves and fuel economy, utterly at ease—no performance, no pretense.
