Page 28 of Beauty and the Billionaire Bad*ss

Ekaterini giggled. “No, silly. We are shopping today. We’re flying into Athens to see the exquisite designs, and we will spend a ridiculous amount of money, then we will have lunch, and some girl talk.”

“No thanks,” said Scarlett, pushing the door closed until Vanna’s well manicured hand stopped her.

“You must come with us,” she insisted. “You have to tell us all about Carter’s horrid scheme, and fill us in on...” she paused, before finally say, “Er, what he’s been up to.”

“Why would you want me to go?” Scarlett demanded. “Don’t you know I’m a Terini?”

Ekaterini nodded. “Of course, but it doesn’t matter to us. Thea is coming along to look at a fresco in one of the museums, but Lydia is pouting in her room. You will not be harped at or insulted. Please come with us, Scarlett. We would like to get better acquainted with you.”

Scarlett gnawed on her lip, thinking it sounded tempting. She hadn’t had much female companionship lately, and she missed having her sisters around. A day of shopping and girl talk held appeal, even if she had no money to shop with. “All right. Let me get dressed, and I’ll meet you downstairs in twenty minutes.”

“Make it fifteen,” Vanna urged. “We have to be at the airstrip in twenty-five minutes or Leondris will leave without us.”

Scarlett hurried through her morning routine, dressing quickly in a lightweight shorts set, before hurrying downstairs, still braiding her hair. She arrived in the sitting room to find the children crowding around Darren, pulling on his arms, begging for, “Horsey rides.” He looked both put out and amused, and he grinned at Scarlett.

There was another woman whom Scarlett hadn’t met yet. She was introduced simply as Nanny and didn’t seem to mind not having a name of her own. “We will be back before dinner,” Ekaterini assured the children, giving Cat an extra squeeze.

After parting from their children, the women walked outside, where a town car was waiting to ferry them to the airstrip. Scarlett sat quietly as Vanna and Ekaterini conversed with Thea, who actually wore a smile and wasn’t shooting daggers at Scarlett with her eyes. Scarlet was relieved and hoped the day would go better than she initially though. Maybe Lydia really was just drama.

At the airstrip, the driver opened the door, and they hurried to the helicopter, bending low to avoid some of the strong wind whipped up by the propellers. Scarlett had never ridden in a helicopter, and she tried to focus on the lavish interior as the door was closed by the chauffeur, and the helicopter began to rise. She was unable to bite back an involuntary scream, and the others giggled.

“It’s perfectly safe,” said Vanna. “Leondris is the most experienced pilot you’re likely to find in all of Greece, and this is a top-of-the-line machine.”

“Right,” Scarlett said in a wobbly tone as she peaked out her window. They were hovering above the Aegean, and she swayed sickly. She shut her eyes tightly and leaned back against the seat, not relinquishing her death-grip on the creamy leather.

“If we crashed, the seats are flotation devices,” Ekaterini said, clearly trying to be helpful.

“I feel so much better now,” said Scarlett with a hint of sarcasm, making them giggle again.

As the chopper continued on course, Scarlett gradually relaxed. She didn’t think she would ever love flying in a helicopter, but she was no longer afraid of plunging into the sea. Leondris seemed to be a very capable pilot, and her fear was forgotten as she got caught up in the conversation.

“I love Greece.” Ekaterini looked down on the patches of land they passed. “Such a romantic place to live. I often miss our island.”

“Rome is very romantic too,” Vanna defended staunchly. “There is the Fountain of Trevi, and all the men are so handsome.”

“Greek men are very handsome too,” Scarlett said without thinking. All eyes turned to her, and she was helpless to fight back a blush. “The few I’ve seen,” she added hastily. “I’ve been to Mykanos.”

“Ah, Mykanos,” Ekaterini nodded, giggling.

“With Carter,” Thea informed her sisters. “Overnight.”

“We attended a wedding and couldn’t come back to the island in the dark,” Scarlett added hastily, knowing the blush creeping across her cheeks and down her neck was not helping her convince them.

“Of course,” Vanna said in a neutral tone while winking at Thea and Ekaterini. “It is impossible to return to the island at night. It is very unsafe, and I’m sure there weren’t any phones nearby that would have allowed Carter to call for the helicopter.”

Scarlett’s mouth fell open in surprise at Vanna’s revelation. Calling for the chopper had never occurred to her, but surely Carter, a man used to being conveyed by the machine, would have thought of that? Her brow furrowed as she considered the implications. Had Carter deliberately maneuvered her into staying the night on the island, planning to seduce her? Why go to all that trouble if she were only a pawn to him? She realized the others were watching her and laughing outright now. “It was more convenient to stay at the inn,” she said lamely.

Thea nodded. “Of course.” Her deadpan expression sent them off into another round of laughter.

“He’s very taken with you,” said Ekaterini. “His eyes follow you everywhere, especially when he thinks you aren’t looking.”

“It’s amazing they aren’t always staring at each other, the way their eyes watch the other,” Vanna commented with a gentle smile.

“That’s not true,” Scarlett denied hotly, but she knew they were right. Her eyes seemed to follow Carter’s movements of their own volition. “Why would he watch me?” she demanded. “I’m a means to an end for Carter, and nothing more.”

Thea blushed delicately, dropping her eyes. “Did you hear our conversation?” she whispered.

“No, I don’t know what you’re t

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