Page 226 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

Dido sat straighter, ears pricking. These women were trying to discover their hotel?

‘But your contact’s a paparazzo. He said he had contacts to uncover this stuff. How am I going to get into Diamandis’s hotel, much less his room, if I don’t know where he’s staying?’

Dido stiffened. Panos’ room? She fought the urge to leap up and demand an explanation. They’d only clam up if challenged. But if they were plotting against him…

‘I don’t think your plan to seduce him will work even if you could get into his room. Did you see the way he looks at that English bitch? She’s been glued to his side all night.’

The voices became a murmur too low for her to decipher and Dido was grateful. She felt as if someone had smacked her in the chest. Stunned, she pressed her hand there where her pulse thrummed too fast.

Seduce Panos? They couldn’t be serious.

‘If we could separate them that might work. Just long enough for him to see me in this dress. I’ll have him eating from the palm of my hand.’

‘I’m not sure. He seemed totally rapt in her. I think it’ll have to be Plan B. A clinch on the red carpet as he leaves. Peter’s waiting downstairs with his camera. If I can distract her,’ the voice turned venomous, ‘you can home in on him. I’ve been promised good money for a clinch shot.’

‘Let’s see if Peter can come up with the goods first. I really fancy a night in the Greek’s bed. He’s very sexy. Even better than in his photos. That would be more lucrative than a red carpet photo. But if that doesn’t work—’

‘Neither is going to work.’

By a miracle, Dido’s voice was cool and even, not betraying the indignation writhing inside her. Mentally she’d understood Panos’ revelations about people wanting to use him. Now she felt the ugly truth of it.

Imagine living with that your whole life. Not being able to trust anyone. She began to appreciate a little of how Panos had become the man he was.

Two startled faces whipped around to meet her scathing stare. The women were in their twenties. One was stunningly beautiful and dressed to catch the eye with a plunging décolletage. Dido heard her swear under her breath.

The red-haired beauty lifted her chin while her companion looked away, blushing. ‘Are you talking to us? I don’t know what you think you’re—’

‘I know exactly what to think.’ Dido’s stare was razor sharp. She could barely believe the ruthless way this pair had plotted. ‘I thought I’d warn you before you embarrass yourselves. Neither of your schemes will work.’

She watched their eyes widen as they realised she’d heard them. Still the redhead stood her ground. ‘Afraid of competition?’ She sneered.

Dido shook her head. ‘There is no competition.’ Her voice was low but deliberate. ‘Because I’ll be the only woman sharing Panos’ bed.’

For a minute there was no response, then a deep voice murmured, ‘Well said.’ A warm hand closed around her elbow. ‘If you’ve finished here, I’m eager to leave, agape mou.’

Dido met Panos’ solemn brown eyes and melted. He looked so convincing, and the way he lingered over the Greek endearment made her toes curl. She told herself his expression was for show but it didn’t feel that way. It felt real.

Through the pounding of her pulse she was vaguely aware of a breathless female voice nearby but Panos gave no indication he noticed. His eyes were locked on hers and it felt like they were the only people there. How could she notice anything else when he looked at her that way?

His arm came around her, pulling her to his side and they turned away. ‘I need to be alone with you. Now.’

* * *

Neither spoke as they returned to the hotel. Yet in the back of the limo his hand clasped hers, as if to reassure himself she was real.

He hadn’t heard all that conversation, but enough to guess the gist. He kept going over Dido’s words, her tone, her stance. Her air of quiet determination and cool contempt.

He’d been stunned.

Never had anyone tried to save him from predatory gold-diggers. It felt good. More than good.

He didn’t need a champion and was more than capable of looking after himself, yet that scene kept replaying as feelings churned in his belly. Admiration. Delight. Gratitude. And something deeper that made his chest ache. Because she’d tried to fight his battles. As if he mattered. As if he needed protecting!

As if she cared.

Had she meant it, about being the only woman in his bed?

Astonishingly he noticed a tremor in his hand as he opened the door to their suite and followed her in.