Page 5 of Breaking the Annulment

The one closest to her smiled politely. “I’m Connor. This is Dom,” he said, pointing to the other guard. “And you’ve already met Elias.”

“I don’t need babysitters,” she huffed.

Dom tried, and failed, to contain his grin. “Sorry, Mrs. Giannopoulos. Boss’s orders.”

Without another word, fists clenched at her side, she stormed down the hallway, not waiting for her “escort”. By the time she reached the stairs, they’d surrounded her.

Downstairs, she entered a gorgeous dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean as the sun set on the horizon. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling over the heavy dining table which could easily seat twenty but was set only for two.

Michalis was already seated, sipping a glass of wine. He motioned for her to join him, and her guards vanished like smoke.

She refused to look cowed. Taking the seat across from him, she lifted her chin. “Are you going to sign now?”

He set his glass down, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Good evening to you, too. You look lovely in my shirt.”

She exhaled sharply, refusing to rise to the bait. “Stop stalling.”

“Eat first.” He gestured at the plate blackened snapper and grilled vegetables the chef placed in front of her. “We eat simply here unless we’re hosting a dinner party. You need energy. You haven’t eaten all day.”

Her stomach twisted with a mix of hunger and resentment. She took a few bites despite her pride. Every moment in his presence reminded her of how precarious her situation was.

After a tense silence, Michalis spoke. “You mentioned a boyfriend. David.”

She looked up from her plate, trying to gauge his mood. “Yes.”

“What’s his full name?”

She stiffened. “None of your business.”

He leaned forward; voice low. “I’m making it my business.”

“Why? Are you jealous?” she demanded, hating the slight tremor in her voice.

His lips thinned, the only indication that she’d angered him. “I’m making sure you’re not exposing yourself to more danger by trusting the wrong person.”

She let out a hollow laugh. “The ‘wrong person’? He’s not part of your criminal world. He’s kind. And safe. A concept foreign to you, I know, so let me assure you, I’m not in any danger from him; he would never hurt me. And by the way, I don’t need you––or your goons––following me around.”

Michalis’s lips thinned, his eyes narrowing to angry slits. “Safe. Is that why you’re attracted to him? Because you’re playing with fire if you think a normal, “safe” man can shieldyou from the danger that’s out there. Like it or not, you need my protection.”

“Stop using that excuse,” she snapped. “I’ve survived without your protection all this time. No one is going to hurt me. No one even knows I’m connected to you. There is no danger, unless it comes from you.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Michalis ground out. “There are enemies you don’t know about, enemies who would love to get their hands on you again.”

She threw her napkin down. “Like who? They’re all dead. I know that because I watched you kill them in cold–fucking–blood.”

Michalis snarled, “Would you have preferred I let them live?”

She froze. Would she? Would she have been able to sleep at night, out there on her own, if she thought they could come after her again? Would she have felt safe? Ever? Slowly, she picked up her fork and resumed eating, eyes glued to her plate. “No,” she finally whispered, ashamed.

Breathing heavily, he folded his napkin on the table. “Good, because like it or not, that’s the world we live in. I will destroyanythreat to you or our family. Would your “safe” little boyfriend do the same?”

Eyes overly bright with unshed tears, she looked back at him. “That’s not fair, and you know it.”

His laugh held no humor, but his voice softened as he said, “Life isn’t fair,agápe mou.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Unable to contain her pain and resentment any longer, she lashed out, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m a fuckingorphan, thanks to your father.”

Their gazes locked; his icy blue eyes boring straight through her like he could see into her soul. “Is that why you ran? My father had nothing to do with what happened. He died that day, too, so do not disrespect the man who welcomed you and yourmother into his home and did everything he could to ensure your safety.”

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