Page 1 of Reunited By the Greek's Baby

PROLOGUE

ISLASATUPRIGHTin the hard chair, not meeting anybody’s eyes. She’d known this would be difficult and had been prepared, but still the place made her shrink within herself.

It wasn’t just the curious stares or unwelcoming atmosphere.

She huffed a silent laugh under her breath, tasting a hint of hysteria that she pushed down.

Prisons weren’t supposed to be welcoming.

This, her third visit, should have been easier. Yet the cold institutional vibe, the grey walls and hard floors, the even harder stares of the staff and scent of heavy-duty disinfectant, got under her skin. And into her head, bringing memories of another place and time. The walls had been pale green, not grey, but the nose-scratching scent of cleanser and the throat-catching sense of desperation had been the same.

And the desolation.

Isla blinked at her hands, white-knuckled in her lap.

Then she lifted her chin and stared at the guard beside the door opposite until he looked away. It wasn’t the past that unsettled her. It was the fact she wasn’t wanted here.

For all they’d shared, all Theo had said and everything she’d felt, he didn’twanther now. Not her help or sympathy or presence. Twice he’d refused to see her. Today would make the third time.

She swallowed, a jagged lump blocking her throat as hurt consumed her.

Theo had more urgent things on his mind than their relationship, like proving his innocence and getting out of here. Being a foreigner, not able to speak more than a few phrases of Greek, she couldn’t be much practical help.

Unlike his family and friends.

It was only when news of his arrest became public that Isla had discovered a side to Theo she’d known nothing about. That he was wealthy, well-connected and powerful.

Isla found it impossible to reconcile that Theo Karalis, the one making international headlines, with the passionate, endearing lover who’d swept her off her feet.

There’d been nothing endearing about his terse messages saying he didn’t want her to visit.

‘Ms Jacobs?’

She looked up to see a slim man in a dark suit standing before her. ‘Yes?’

He sat beside her and lowered his voice. ‘My name is Petro Skouras. I work for Mr Karalis.’

Isla’s heart thumped. A smile cracked the corners of her tight mouth as relief rose. ‘Yes?’

Her gaze darted towards the big metal door where the guard stood. Was she going to see Theo at last?

‘He asked me to give you this.’

Petro Skouras held out an envelope. It felt flimsy in her hand as she tore it open. Isla read the note, for it was a note, not a letter, in two seconds.

Its meaning was clear but Mr Skouras was taking no chances. His voice was kind but firm as he said, ‘Mr Karalis asks that you don’t visit again or try to contact him.’

He paused as if awaiting a response but Isla had no words. She scanned the note again, recognising Theo’s bold handwriting. Not recognising the cold tone of command. This made it seem like they were strangers and she’d pestered him. Not as if they were in a relationship and shared a special bond.

Maybe they were strangers after all.

The back of her nose prickled as if tears threatened but it was an illusion. She was too shocked for tears. It felt as if everything she’d experienced in the last month, all the excitement and happiness, had been a dream.

‘And I have this for you to sign.’

Isla stared at the typed paper he produced. It took a second for her blurry eyes to focus. When they did she gasped.

She’d heard about such things but never moved in circles where they were actually used. She read it again but the words didn’t change. It was a non-disclosure agreement. If she signed she’d be barred from telling anyone she’d ever known Theo Karalis, or anything about him or their relationship.

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