Page 28 of Beauty and the Greek Billionaire

“Maybe she’s looking for a cushy life. Maybe she was already knocked up before she came to you and she wants someone to foot the bill.”

It wasn’t like Dion to be so suspicious. Usually that role fell to Nico. So much so, in fact, that he was known as the “bad cop” by some of the executive team at work. Whenever there was a problem with staff, Dion was the first to step in. If he couldn’t get things done with the charming and conciliatory approach, then it was Nico’s turn.

“I’ve seen the reports from her doctor in Australia. The timing is right. Unless she became pregnant to someone else immediately before or after she saw me…I don’t think that’s the case.” He shook his head. “My gut tells me—”

“Your gut is not absolute.”

Nico frowned. “Why are you so concerned about this? It’s my problem, not yours.”

“We’re family.”

Ah, that old chestnut. Nico and Dion were two very different products of the same system. Growing up in an orphanage had made Nico tough. Independent. He could rely on himself, first and foremost. Only when things were at their most dire would he go to someone else for assistance.

But Dion was the opposite. Growing up lonely had made him a charmer, always wanting to preserve relationships and forge new ones. Everyone loved him, and he could talk his way out of any situation. Or into a situation, if required. He collected people—had so many friends that it made Nico’s head spin. Although how many of them were true, deep friendships, he wasn’t sure.

But Dion was not family, because Nico had no family. Nor did he want one.

Marriage to Marianna didn’t change that.

“I’m only asking these questions to make sure you’ve thought it through,” Dion added. “I know you can be a little…impulsive, sometimes.”

Nico grunted. “I’m decisive.”

“Sure, whatever you want to call it.”

“I have the prenup.”

“And if the kid pops out to be some blond-haired blue-eyed little bundle of joy? If it grows up to look nothing like you? Then what?”

Nico stared out of the huge window flanking his desk. It was a perfect day in Corfu—blue skies, clouds like wisps of spun sugar. The water in his pool sparkled as if covered in a blanket of sapphires. He was hit with the memory of her peeling the white dress from her curvy body, the sensual little wriggle of her hips that made his mouth run dry.

“Sounds like you want to make a bet,” Nico said.

“You know that’s not what I want. I hope it is your child and that finally something will get through to you.” Dion paused. “Who knows, she might be the one to do that.”

Not a chance in hell. “She understands this isn’t a real marriage. I don’t want a wife in any practical sense.” He paused as the sound of laughter tinkled in the bowels of the house. Was it her? He strained to hear, but nothing further came. “My obligation is only to provide her a home.”

“She’ll want more,” Dion warned.

“You think she’ll want to share my bed?”

Dion laughed. “Oh Nico, my poor emotionally damaged friend.”

“What?” he scoffed.

“I mean more than that. She’s going to want more than a roof over her head and tiles beneath her feet. She’s here, alone. Away from her family. She’s going to have a baby with a stranger.”

“And?”

“At some point she’s going to want you to be more than a stranger.”

“I told her that’s not on offer.”

“Doesn’t mean she won’t be making demands.”

Nico’s fingers tightened around his phone. Was Dion pushing his buttons on purpose? Trying to wind him up? “She can make as many demands as she likes, but they’ll fall on deaf ears.”

“And you’re prepared for her to walk away?”

“Of course.”

“And the baby?”

“The child will stay with me.” Despite not having the concrete proof Dion thought he should demand, Nico already felt a strong pull to the life growing inside his wife. Would it be a girl or a boy? A vibrant daughter or energetic son?

Nico knew he wasn’t the best person in the world. He was demanding and doggedly proud and he struggled to connect with people. But, without a shadow of a doubt, he knew that he would do his utmost to be a good father.

“Are you done giving me a hard time?” he asked. “I look forward to the day that you’re stuck in this position so I can return the favor.”

Dion snorted. “Never going to happen. If I ever get married, it’ll be for one reason and one reason only.”

Nico shook his head. “Money or power.”

“Okay.” He laughed. “Two reasons.”

“You think that’s why I’m doomed?” he drawled.

“I think you’re in over your head.” This time Dion’s voice was solemn. Worried.

He had good reason to be. Nico was in over his head. The only way to deal with it was to make sure he didn’t let his wife get under his skin.

…

---