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‘No,’ he said again, striving for a normal tone. ‘You’ll come now. I’ll make the arrangements. And if,’ he forced himself to go on, ‘you’re incompatible, you’ll have lost nothing by it. You won’t be out of pocket. You’ll be my guest, of course.’
He watched her open her mouth as if to protest, and then close it again.
‘A short break from here won’t hurt. You haven’t any pressing engagements, have you?’ He knew from the investigator she had nothing, neither study nor work, scheduled.
Slowly she shook her head.
His spirits rose as he scented victory. ‘Look on it as a short holiday,’ he said, using the low, coaxing tones that always got him what he wanted with women.
She met his gaze and he felt something deep inside stir, unsettling him again. She was just a young woman, like so many others he’d known. Why did he have the gut-deep sensation that she saw into his very soul?
Sto Diavolo! Maybe the strain was starting to tell on him after all.
‘I’ll pay my own way,’ she responded, her soft mouth setting in a mulish line that brought back a flood of memories when he least expected it.
Practice helped him to curb his temper and persuade instead of order. ‘You’ll be visiting Greece to help my daughter. It will be my pleasure to have you stay with us.’
The girl had such pride! He knew she couldn’t even afford the airfare to Athens, would have to organise a loan for the trip.
‘It’s not Liakos money,’ he added. ‘You would not be obligated to your grandfather.’
For another long moment her gaze locked with his. Then she nodded once. ‘All right. I’ll come to Greece. And I’ll pray the tests turn out the way you hope.’
There was deep sadness in her voice. Her eyes were shadowed and he guessed she was remembering her mother. How she’d been unable to save her.
He reached out and took Sophie’s elbow. He moved slowly, his touch on her arm light, knowing how much she must be hurting. She’d never guess the sudden violent surge of adrenaline that shot through him at her words. The immediate, searing lightness that flared in the recesses of his mind.
This was going to work.
They were going to save Eleni.
CHAPTER FOUR
SOPHIE STEPPED THROUGH the airport’s sliding doors. She was here, in Crete.
She took a deep breath, wondering how the air in Greece could be just the same as home, but somehow different enough to send a quiver of emotion through her. She bit her lip. She wasn’t going to cry, was she?
It wasn’t as if this place meant anything to her.
But it had meant so much to her mum. Despite the painful memories, her mother had been an optimist.
She’d planned to bring Sophie here. A girls’ trip, she’d said, badgering Sophie into organising a passport in anticipation of the day when they’d have money saved to travel. And if they weren’t able to visit family, there were lots of other things to see in Crete.
Sophie blinked rapidly against the bright light. She’d planned to surprise her mum and buy their tickets after she’d been working professionally for a year.
It would never happen now.
Nearby people milled and talked, called out greetings and embraced each other. Welcomes and departures.
And Sophie had never felt so alone in her life.
‘Are you all right?’ A hand touched her elbow, guided her forward.
A frisson of awareness snaked through her at the sound of that deep voice, the fleeting warmth of his hand. She sucked in a breath and schooled her features into what she hoped was a bland expression.
Costas hadn’t touched her since their conversation in the park back in Sydney. He’d been scrupulous in keeping his distance. And she’d convinced herself she’d imagined her response to him.
But this was frighteningly real. Instantaneous. Devastating.
