Page 1 of Legal Attraction

ChapterOne

So far, Coral Anastas had evaded all pesky, cheap press. No one knew she was hiding away in a very public resort on a Greek island, not even her parents. She soaked up the last bit of Mediterranean sun before she would return to the United States to begin her first job at a law firm in Virginia. The idea that she would be earning her own way instead of using the royal coffers of her country was thrilling. If she put in the time now, she hoped to use all her newfound experience in public service for the rest of her life as a princess, sure, but as a public advocate more, and as queen eventually. She had finished law school that June, graduated with honors, almost at the top of her class.

The sun shone gently on her skin; the breeze felt cool. The air smelt of salt and flowers. Her book was mostly finished. The forced relaxation had done her some good.

The busboy assigned to her side of the pool stopped by with a tray. His white gloved hand held out a note.

She sat up. “Thank you.” She unfolded the card inside. A quick message from the committee of orphans, possibly Jalla, scrawled in blue ink said, “Come quickly. There’s trouble.”

She threw on her suit coverup and slipped her flip flops back on her feet. She called out to the bellboy. “Trent, is it?”

He turned in his return back to the cabana. “Yes miss?”

“Could you watch my things for me? I must go. I might even need someone to return them to my room, or keep them in a locker here…” She smiled.

He dipped his head. “Certainly. You shall find them in your room’s locker here by the pool.” He indicated a row of dark grey doors with combination locks.

“Thank you!” She turned from him, hurrying out of the pool area. What could have gone wrong? She’d been working with this nonprofit for the whole of the summer. She’d stumbled on them her first day in Greece and couldn’t resist the call of someone who was in desperate need.

As she almost ran through the hotel, her nerves amping up strangely higher than was probably needed, she made her way to the front door. Fumbling with her phone, she requested a driver and a car, exhaling in relief when she saw one only a half mile away.

What was the problem?

A man approached from behind. She would not have noticed him except that his cologne wafted over to her. He stood unreasonably close. She inched to the side and noticed another man approach on that side of her.

Her gazed darted, seeking hotel personnel. The valet was busy gathering cars. But the team of uniform wearing staff was large. She could shout for them.

Her car pulled up and another right behind. She got into the first and the two men slid into the second. They were tall, broad, stern looking. They’d said nothing to her which was odd for a resort environment. And they looked more American than anything else. She breathed out when she closed her door, reaching out to lock it. “Thanks for picking me up. I’m in a hurry so I was really happy to see someone so close.”

He nodded and then moved away from the curb without saying a word. She’d been in such a hurry she’d not checked his reviews or anything about him. She scrolled quickly now and was relieved to see mostly four and a half stars. Maybe she was just imagining things. What if Jalla’s big emergency was something like plumbing issues? Of course it was. There was no need for Coral to freak out. And those men…

She turned around in her seat. A car followed close behind. She tried to make out the passengers, but the windows were tinted. With hands clutching at her phone, she counted breaths until they arrived at the orphanage.

At last the houses in a run-down neighborhood looked familiar. Her car pulled in front of a home with dirty stucco white walls but newly planted flowers in front, the place that served as an orphanage for displaced refugees in Greece. “Thank you.” She hurried out of the car, relieved to see that the other car had not pulled to a stop in front of the orphanage. She was imagining things.

She tried to shake off the uneasiness but then three Greek police cars pulled up in front of the building. Officers jumped out of their cars. “Stand back!”

She leapt aside as they ran past her. Then a firetruck showed up, a small one. She’d never seen a Greek firetruck before. They didn’t seem in a hurry.

After a minute more of nothing happening. The firemen slowly exited their truck. Jalla walked out the front door. As soon as she caught sight of Coral, her face melted in relief and she ran towards her.

Coral pulled her into a hug. “What is it? What’s going on?”

She shook her head. “It’s crazy. The old landlord is here, demanding we vacate. He’s trying to kick us all out right now.”

“Old landlord?” Coral’s law torts class kicked into gear even though they were in Greece and it totally didn’t apply.

“Yeah, he was evicted. And the banks sold the property to the orphanage. But now he wants back in. He says he left things here. In the walls and floors.” Jalla rolled her eyes. “Before the police got here, he was starting to get violent.” She shuddered.

Coral rested a hand on her arm. “I’m so sorry! What is he looking for?”

She shrugged. “Honestly, if you could see him, you’d think he’s losing it. Crazy.”

Shouting came from inside the front door, getting closer to them.

“Where are the kids?”

“Oh don’t worry. Tabby has them in the back room and a police officer stayed with them.”

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