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Apollo’s mouth firmed. ‘Yes, it can happen that quickly. But obviously if your memory still hasn’t returned by then, I’ll make sure you’re set up in a situation and place that feels secure and safe for you.’
Sasha wanted to curl inwards. The thought of Apollo pitying her enough to have to keep an eye on her after their marriage was over was a whole new level of humiliation.
‘I’m sure that won’t be necessary, but thank you.’
CHAPTER SIX
A COUPLE OF hours later, Apollo’s words still reverberated in Sasha’s head.
‘I’ll make sure you’re set up in a situation and place that feels secure and safe for you.’
The perks of a rich man. Able to dissolve marriages and set up inconvenient ex-wives with a minimum of fuss.
The fact that the imminent dissolution of a marriage she’d apparently engineered into being through lies and deceit wasn’t filling her with a sense of relief, only brought about more confusion.
She could remember being stunned by Apollo’s interest in her when they’d first met. Intimidated but excited too. How had she gone from that to wanting to deceive him so heinously?
With a sigh, she let the landscape beneath her distract her from circling thoughts that were going nowhere and not helping.
They were in a helicopter, flying over the Aegean, and she looked down in awe at boats and islands that looked like toys beneath them.
When she’d seen the sleek black machine at the private airfield, she’d balked. Apollo had looked at her. ‘You flew in this when I took you to the island the first time. You loved it.’
‘Did I? Sasha had asked doubtfully. For the whole journey, in spite of her tortured thoughts and the beauty below them, her heart had been in her throat. And even more now as they started descending over an island and the helicopter tipped perilously to the left.
This must be Krisakis. Sasha forced down the fluttering panic and took in the rocky coastline where pockets of brightly coloured flowers flourished along the cliffs. The sea lapped against rocks and then they rounded a headland and an empty white sand beach appeared, like something on a postcard.
Sasha could see steps cut into the rocks, leading up to lush grounds and then up further to a white modern building—a series of buildings laid out like interconnecting cubes. Sunlight glinted off acres of glass. An infinity pool with sun loungers had never looked so inviting.
Apollo was saying into her headset, ‘This is the villa, the first thing I built here. The island was hit by an earthquake about half a century ago, leaving only a small population behind. With the development I’m building on the other side of the island, it’s becoming a thriving community again. People who were born here but who had to leave have returned to live out their last days, bringing their sons and daughters with them to make new lives.’
Sasha couldn’t help thinking it was ironic for a man who’d professed little interest in having a family to be invested in bringing them together like this.
The helicopter was landing now on a helipad a little distance from the villa. When the pilot had touched down, Apollo got out. He opened Sasha’s door and helped her out. Her legs felt like rubber and Apollo’s hand tightened on hers. ‘Okay?’
She locked her knees to stop them wobbling. ‘Yes, fine.’ She took her hand back.
Apollo stepped aside to talk to the pilot for
a moment and then once the bags were unloaded he led her over to a safe spot while the helicopter lifted back up into the air before tilting to the right and heading off into the azure-blue sky.
Sasha put the sun hat she’d carried on her head, glad of Kara’s thoughtfulness. Which was even more thoughtful now considering what she’d put them through. Sasha heard a faint sound and turned around to see what looked like a golf cart bouncing across the grounds towards them.
Apollo waved at the person driving who waved back enthusiastically. He said, ‘That’s Spiro—he’s the son of my housekeeper here, helping out before he goes back to college.’
The young man jumped out when he’d come to a stop beside him, a big grin directed at Apollo as he took the bags, stowing them in the back.
Sasha couldn’t help smiling at his cheerful effervescence but when he looked at her his smile faltered. Sasha’s insides plummeted. Not again. Had she been rude to him too? The young man’s eyes grew round and he said something to Apollo, who said something sharp back.
He held out his hand. ‘Kyria Vasilis, nice to meet you again.’
Sasha forced a smile and took his hand, mentally apologising for whatever she’d done.
By the time they reached the stunning villa, she was preparing herself for the same reaction as she’d got from Kara and Rhea when she’d returned to the villa in Athens. Sure enough, Spiro’s mother, Olympia, looked wary but kindly. Maybe Sasha hadn’t behaved too badly on the island. After all, it didn’t seem as if there was much in the way of distraction.
Apollo said something to his housekeeper and then turned to Sasha. ‘Olympia will show you around, and take you to your room. I’ll join you after I’ve made a couple of calls.’
Sasha took in the bright white spaces and minimalist furnishings as she followed the matronly woman through the villa. It oozed modernity and serenity. A contrast to the more traditional villa in Athens. Sasha liked it. She liked the starkness. The lack of fussiness. Its simplicity soothed some of her ragged edges.
