Page 81 of The Boss

“I need to ask you a question, Willow. Did your father always travel with his laptop?”

I stiffened, uncertain what he was getting at. “He hasn’t traveled in years. I don’t know.”

“Do you know why it would be stolen?”

Turning around, I studied his eyes. They were filled with concern. “No. Daddy didn’t talk about his business often. It bored my mother. Why would someone steal engineering plans?”

“So many good questions.”

“You’re being cryptic.”

“Only because I’m a cautious man.”

That he was.

He kissed the top of my head and moved away. He’d been taking his calls in private, as if I couldn’t handle the topic.

Or maybe because he was determining what he would do with me when I was no longer of use. I hated thinking that way, but it was the truth. I was expendable just like my brother. Shane hadn’t called and as of yet, I hadn’t been instructed to even send him a text. That would begin later today.

I suspected there would be some announcement of our engagement after the funeral. I wasn’t certain I could stomach attending. It was too close to home. I’d talked to my uncle briefly, but the call had been stiff and controlled. I hadn’t been allowed to tell him about our plans.

My uncle wouldn’t be a happy man. He was still enraged, acting as if he would find the killer. I had no way of being able to handle his anger along with mine. At least Dimitrios had stepped in, keeping the conversation short with little information provided.

But my uncle wasn’t a stupid man. He would realize he was being used.

Just like I was.

The thought had troubled me all night. I hated the feeling, the knowing that my life didn’t mean anything in Dimitrios’ powerful world. I watched as he walked from the room, holding his head high with confidence that never wavered.

“I’ll get my things.” I’d issued the statement just as he was walking out. Whether or not he heard me I couldn’t tell. I’d already packed most of my items except for the wet bathing suit hanging over the shower door. I’d insisted on wearing it the one the last time we’d ventured into the surf. I’d suddenly felt as if we were being watched. The last thing I’d wanted was for pictures of my naked body to end up on some tabloid.

Dimitrios hadn’t given a hoot if there was someone standing in the shadows, taking pictures of the two of us. He’d paraded his naked body—correction, his gorgeous naked body—around the beach for me to gaze upon.

And hunger for.

He couldn’t care less about what other people thought. If only I could be that way. I’d lived a quiet life, never seeking attention. That just wasn’t me. However, Shane adored attention and always had. The class clown. The jock. The school hero.

What was he now?

I yanked the still damp bathing suit off the shower, grimacing at how wet it remained. Other items in my suitcase would be soaked by the time we arrived back… home.

Not my home.

His home.

With the bag in my hand, I headed downstairs. The house was quiet, music no longer playing as it had been the last few days. Yet I heard his deep voice coming from another room. Maybe it wasn’t fair to listen in on his conversation, but I couldn’t help myself. He hadn’t wanted to discuss whatever plan was cooking up in his mind other than our marriage.

Why had my father brought his laptop to Greece? I hadn’t heard he was working on a project he couldn’t get away from.

I placed the duffle near the front door, quietly heading down the hall. I didn’t need to get close to the door before I was able to hear the one side of the conversation.

“I know that, Havros, but she’s the only chance we have of finding the fuck. She’ll make an excellent ploy. The best thing is that she listens to me. Like a good girl should.”

His statement struck me hard, more so than if he’d made the comment days before. Here I’d thought we were partners, sharing in discovering who was behind the terrible crime. Sadly,I’d experienced far too much disappointment in my life. He was using me and nothing more.

To say I was spitting angry was an understatement. But I was also sad, so much so tears formed in my eyes. I’d been such a fool to think the time we’d spent together had been about anything more than buttering me up. How could I have been so damn stupid? How?

I backed down the hallway, still chastising myself. Still as quiet as a church mouse, I grabbed my bag and headed outside to wait. What a shame the beautiful time we’d spent together had been ruined by his arrogance.

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