Page 178 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

Because there before her was Panos Diamandis.

He stood with his feet planted wide as if expecting trouble, or casually claiming the spot. The jacket of his bespoke dark suit was open across his wide chest as his hands found his trouser pockets.

Dido’s pulse was an arrhythmic jitter that can’t have been good for her heart. She felt herself sway, ankles wobbling in the moment it took to marshal her defences.

She’d only seen him wear a suit a couple of times. She hated that he still wore it better than any other man. But then he looked good in anything. Or nothing.

Unfairly, he had the features of a sculpted Greek hero or god. Beautiful symmetry, strong lines and bold jaw. A straight nose, far-seeing long-lashed eyes and a mouth that could break into the most beguiling smile. Right now he looked brooding rather than inviting.

‘What are you doing here?’

She didn’t want to know the answer because there could be only one. He was here to see her.

That meant bad news for her.

Greek billionaires didn’t hang around the outer suburbs of London. This wasn’t a slum—she was grateful to live in a reasonably pleasant suburb—but it was a far cry from the ultra-exclusive Tahitian resort.

Or his pristine, luxury penthouse in Athens. She shivered, remembering the all-white decor, splendid art and so many precious items, all perfectly positioned, that made it feel like an up-market gallery rather than somewhere to live. She’d tiptoed around the place, petrified she’d break something or smudge dirt somewhere.

‘Hello to you too, Dido.’

That deep, curt voice dragged her back from the past. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. ‘I’m not in the mood to play nice with you.’

He’d destroyed her career with his claim she was a liar, and that was after his earlier appalling behaviour. He was the last person she wanted to see.

‘Nevertheless, I’m here and you need to get used to it.’

Her eyes rounded, her stomach going into free fall. Tahiti had been bad enough. She’d never wanted to lay eyes on him again. Fervently she hoped he meant she had to get used to him for the next few minutes and no more.

‘Why? You’re moving into the neighbourhood?’

His eyes narrowed. ‘Are you going to ask inane questions or invite me in?’ He turned his gaze to the terraced house where she rented the basement flat.

Her chin rose. ‘What makes you think I live nearby?’

He shrugged. ‘What do you think? I had someone check.’

He could afford investigators to find her address. Even, she realised with realisation, to follow her. Was that what had happened today? That feeling she’d been watched?

Dido was about to confront him about that then stopped. What was the point? The vital thing was to get rid of him as soon as possible. She glanced at her watch then up the road, dismay twisting her insides. She needed to send him away quickly.

‘What do you want, Panos? If it’s to tell me to keep away, don’t worry, I will. There’s nothing I’d like better than never to see you again.’

If she’d hoped to puncture his brooding arrogance, she failed miserably.

‘At last,’ he purred in a deep rumble that rolled across her skin and made her insides quiver, ‘something we agree on.’ He let that sink in before adding, ‘We need to talk. It won’t take long, if you’re honest with me. Then I’ll be gone, out of your life for ever.’

‘If I’m honest with you? How dare you! I’ve been nothing but honest, yet you have the hide to stand there and accuse me of—’

‘Calm down.’

When their short-lived marriage fell apart she’d tried so hard to contact him. She’d needed to explain, make him understand after he’d listened to lies about her. She didn’t know exactly what her horrible half-brother had told Panos, just that he’d somehow made contact—looking to turn a profit if she knew Charlie—and as a result Panos had called her a faithless gold-digger and cut her from his life.

Panos had been too smugly self-opinionated to listen and she’d craved a chance to tell him face-to-face all the ways he’d let her down. Now, standing toe-to-toe, he still tried to shut her down.

‘Your interpersonal skills haven’t improved, Panos. Telling anyone who’s justifiably angry to calm down, is only pouring fuel on the flames.’

His expression changed, his brown eyes gleamed darker than before, almost black, and a hint of a knowing smile played around his mouth.