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“I miss Thakilopos,” Carter said. “I don’t mean I miss it already. I mean I miss living here. If not for...things...I would have moved back long ago.”
“Does that mean you’re going to return to Thakilopos when...” Scarlett paused. “When you’ve carried out your plan?”
“It’s a possibility I’ve been entertaining frequently
Tension filled Scarlett as she waited for him to ask her about the island. She would love to live on Thakilopos. In fact, the only drawback for her was Lydia, and possibly Noah, who still treated her with hostility. She could envision being very happy living on the island, but she would want a home of her own. As much as she liked and respected Athena, she couldn’t imagine living with her. She’d want privacy so she could seduce Carter in every room of their house.
Her silly grin faded as Carter remained silent. Worry took over as she fretted that he didn’t want to bring her back to the island. They hadn’t discussed the future beyond the next few days, and she was worried. What if Carter didn’t really love her? What if it was all still a game for him? No, that wasn’t true, and she knew it. Carter had been tender and thoughtful since she’d confessed her love. He’d been loving, and was generous with the words, “I love you.” He hated her father, and with good reason, but he didn’t hate her, and he wasn’t playing any games with her. Perhaps he was waiting to see if she could keep her promise after he’d destroyed her father. Scarlett sighed and rested her head against the back of the seat.
“What are you thinking?” Carter asked abruptly
“Nothing,” she dismissed with another sigh. “It wasn’t important.”
They stopped in New York to refuel and change pilots, but this time they did not stay at a hotel. Leondris waved to them jauntily as the plane taxied down the runway. They would not see him again until their next visit to the island as he divided his time between New York and Greece.
It was late when they landed at the airfield near Carter’s estate. Scarlett was tired beyond belief, just from sitting in the plane for so long. She yawned repeatedly, and leaned on Carter as they walked to the waiting town car.
Scarlett was half-asleep by the time they reached the house and allowed Carter to lead her inside. Carter carried her up the stairs and she felt so safe in his arms. When he took her hand and led her into his room, she was surprised and pleased. She didn’t ask any questions about the future as they snuggled together under the covers. She was too tired to form any words, and his arms were too heavenly around her.
When Scarlett awoke, the sun was streaming through the open blinds, and she knew it was late in the morning. Scarlett looked at the clock and gasped when she realized it was nearly eleven. The meeting was scheduled for eleven-
thirty at the Ritz-Carleton in San Francisco. She groaned, acknowledging she would never make it in time. She’d planned to attend the meeting, both as a show of support for Carter, and to witness the destruction of her father’s stolen company. The company he’d been willing to kill for. She hadn’t enlightened Carter to her plans, figuring he would object, and now it was too late to follow through.
Scarlett slid from the bed, taking one of Carter’s navy shirts from the closet and sliding it on so she could go to her old room and dress. As she stepped into the hallway, she was distracted from her purpose by the sound of raised voices downstairs. Recognizing Chrys’s voice, Scarlett hurried down the stairs, not bothering to dress first.
“I have to see her,” Chrys wailed.
“Miss Scarlett is still sleeping,” Edward said firmly. “If you would like to leave a message, or a calling card, I will see that she receives it.”
“Wake her up,” Chrys demanded. “She’s my sister, for god’s sake. I need to see her.”
“I’m awake,” Scarlett said softly, and abruptly became aware of her state of dress as two disbelieving faces looked at her. Edward quickly hid his shock, schooling his expression into blandness. “Thank you, Edward,” she said self-consciously, resisting the urge to pull at the hem of the shirt.
“Yes, madam.” He inclined his head. “Excuse me.” He dismissed himself, leaving the two sisters to stare at each other in awkward silence.
“Oh no,” Chrys wailed abruptly. “He’s made you his sex slave.”
Scarlett laughed to herself, if only. “Come upstairs with me so I can get dressed,” she invited, and Chrys trailed behind her up the staircase.
Scarlett took her into her old room, seating her on the bed before rummaging in the closet for something to wear. The clothes purchased in New York had been unpacked, ironed, and hung, and Scarlett made a mental note to thank Trudie, the upstairs maid.
Chrys gnawed on her lip as she watched her sister. “Is it awful?” she burst out. “Does he hold you prisoner? Does he hurt you?”
Laughing Scarlett shook her head, “We’ll talk in a minute,” she promised, going into the bathroom to dress in jeans and a warm sweater. She missed the balmy temperatures of Greece already. When she emerged from the bathroom, Chrys was stretched out on her bed, weeping. “What’s wrong?” she asked gently, sitting beside her sister.
“I can’t believe Father has done this to you. He has sold you to Carter Braxton.”
“It’s not like that,” said Scarlett. “I love Carter, and he loves me.”
“How can you love that monster?” Chrys demanded heatedly. “He’s taking our home, and Father’s business, leaving us destitute.”
“I can’t tell you why, but Carter has good reason to hate our father,” Scarlett whispered.
“Why can’t you tell me?” Chrys asked, her expression hurt. She might be older than Scarlett, but she looked up to her, depended on her. She obviously felt betrayed that Scarlett would keep secrets from her.
“I can’t because I’m not even supposed to know myself,” said Scarlett. “His sister told me in confidence. Even Carter doesn’t know that I know about Father’s...never mind.”
“You truly love him?” Chrys asked, disbelieving. How could anyone, especially her beautiful sister, love that hideously scarred monster?
