Page 114 of One Night Together

CHAPTER 45

LEO

“Great work this week, guys,” Leo said to his crew. “Now go home and get some rest. If you have any questions, talk to Tom.”

Tom widened his stance and stroked his full red beard, his gaze traveling over the assembled crew. Tom could be as fierce as a Viking, but the crew was devoted to him.

To his supervisor, Leo said, “Thanks, Tom. I appreciate you working this weekend. Call me if you run into any problems, okay?”

“Okay, boss. See you on Monday,” Tom said, waving his hand.

Leo left the office trailer and headed to his Land Rover. It had been a stressful week. Unforeseen problems dominated the start of every new project, but it had been complicated by a few reporters hanging around, taking pictures, and shouting out questions. The stories hadn’t been unflattering; he’d come out as the hero against Owen. Other stories were brewing about the romance between the two adult children of legendary business rivals.

“Leo!” Ben called behind him.

Not another problem.

“What is it?” he asked over his shoulder. “I’m beat and want to go home.” To Cassandra.

“You need to see this.” Ben held his phone out.

He took the phone and scanned the article. Nikos had given an exclusive interview to a British reporter who also happened to be in Santorini. Nikos was open about his rivalry with the Sutton family but saved his most insulting comments for Leo. Choice words likeamateur anduntestedjumped from the page.

“Motherfucker.” He pushed the phone back to Ben, anger surging through him. He’d made every effort to be polite to Nikos, believing the best about him. And now this? Nikos was afraid of losing his business, so he lashed out at an easy target. He hoped Nikos hadn’t taken any of his anger out on Cassandra.

Ben’s brows drew together. “Do you think this interview might affect our chances at the board meeting?”

“We’ve got some solid evidence on Malcolm. The board will be more concerned with what Malcolm has done than what Nikos told that reporter.”

“True, but there’s something else to think about.” Ben’s eyes filled with trepidation. “Because of all this stuff in the press, I wanted to ask you if you’re still going to your grandfather’s party?”

“Yes.”

Ben raised his brows. “With Cassandra?”

He sensed where this line of questioning was headed, and he didn’t like it. “Are you worried about me taking Cassandra to the party?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea right now.”

“Why not?”

“Because she’s the daughter of your family’s biggest business rival, and her presence will antagonize Malcolm, that’s why.”

“My very existence antagonizes Malcolm. What’s one more person to piss him off?”

“This is different. Maybe it would be better to sit out the party and save your appearance for the board meeting.”

“No. If I’m going to plead my case at the meeting, I want to demonstrate how I feel about this pointless rivalry.”

“You need to think of Cassandra’s feelings. Is she aware how much animosity she’s walking into?”

This was a good point. The Suttons could behave like a den of vipers, but Cassandra was willing to go. He would make sure she was safe from any malicious insults.

“She understands,” Leo said.

Ben shook his head. “Think about this, Leo. There’s a lot at stake here.”

He pointed a finger at Ben. “I know exactly what’s at stake.” Cassandra was his future, and he had no intention of backing down.

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