Page 51 of Reunited By the Greek's Baby

Theo had told himself this was something he could capitalise on to get her to marry. Yet what he felt now had nothing to do with future plans and everything to do with feelings.

‘I’ve got strong shoulders. But if they go too far my legal team will prosecute. For now my focus has to be on mending the damage done to the company.’ He paused. ‘And keeping you safe.’

He watched her brow pucker as she thought through the situation. Finally, as he’d known she would, she nodded. ‘You have a plan, don’t you?’

He inclined his head. She’d always been clever and her relative calm in the face of that outrageous piece boded well. Their baby might have thrown him and Isla together but he knew in that moment she wouldn’t just be a necessary wife. He suspected she’d be magnificent.

How would it be to share the burdens he carried? To have someone on his side, apart from his mother, whom he refused to weigh down with more trouble.

‘We provide the story they want, but on our terms. The media knows about you now and you won’t get any peace until it gets a story. Even then you’ll continue to be hounded, especially when your pregnancy becomes news.’

Her hands spasmed in his and he tightened his hold, watching her pupils dilate. It was like watching her innocence being stripped away and it made him feel wrong inside, but he had to go on. She needed the truth.

‘Even if you decide not to marry me and opt to bring up our child alone...’ As if he’d let that happen! ‘The press won’t let up. They’ll be there whenever you leave your London flat. They’ll interview clients at the shop where you work. They’ll go through your rubbish to find out what your pregnancy diet is and turn it into some fad diet for their readers or report you’re endangering the baby by eating poorly. Later they’ll print stories about what you feed our child and if they have no idea, they’ll make it up.’

Isla looked so appalled he felt almost guilty spelling it out but she needed to know. ‘It’s true. The stories they’ve printed about my stepsister, often without a single word of truth, are legion.’ The fact that Toula sometimes behaved erratically hadn’t helped.

‘They pursued her? I didn’t know.’

‘Toula has some personal problems but the media loves to portray her as an indulged rich kid, acting out.’ Theo paused, reining in anger. He was tempted to explain about his stepsister now but this was enough for Isla to take in at the moment. ‘Between their attacks on Toula and on me, I know what to expect. There’ll be a media scrum outside any childcare centre you use and as for first day at school—’

‘Enough! I get it.’

Reading her distressed expression and pale features he saw she did. He felt the tremor in her hands and vowed to protect her.

‘So what’s the plan? How do we take back control? And don’t say by marrying.’

But they would. Theo was determined on that. Once she understood what he could offer, and how difficult life would be without him at her side, she’d change her mind.

‘We dictate the narrative, and we control access to you. I have the resources to provide twenty-four-hour protection wherever you are. It can be so discreet you won’t notice it but there will be times when it needs to be up front and obvious to everyone.’

‘Bodyguards?’ Isla pulled her hands away. ‘I’m not sure about that.’

‘I am.’ Isla was his now, whether she admitted it or not. He couldn’t allow anyone to harm her. ‘I’ve lined up an excellent female protection agent.’ He read Isla’s mutinous look and intervened before she could object. ‘She’ll be here soon for you to vet. It’s important you feel you can trust her.’ He waited until finally she nodded. ‘And I have plans for our next outing. Next time you’re seen it will be in a situation we can control, rather than have photographers mob you in the street.’

It was the casual way Theo mentioned being mobbed in the street that finally convinced Isla. And the pain in his voice when he’d spoken of his stepsister, Toula, being victimised. There’d been something in his voice then that she’d never before heard. A raw ache that made her nape prickle and a slew of questions form on her tongue. But it hadn’t been the right time to ask.

So she’d agreed to interview the bodyguard. Fortunately she turned out be someone Isla could imagine spending time with. Of a similar age but with impressive qualifications, she didn’t look like a bodyguard and Isla found herself enjoying her understated sense of humour.

That was the first hurdle over. The second was preparing for a gala event Isla would attend with Theo that night. It sounded daunting with formal dress and high-profile attendees. She felt out of place and she hadn’t even left the apartment.

Everything had been brought to her here. Racks of amazing designer gowns, shoes in every colour and style, so that even with the help of an expert stylist, choosing what to wear had taken ages. Then there were the masseuse, beautician and hairstylist who spent hours with her.

It was enough to make a woman feel like Cinderella, yet despite the gorgeous clothes and the light but expert makeup that turned her into a sophisticated stranger, it was the massage she loved best. Until then her shoulders had been up near her ears, tension riding her because there was no going back to her old life, even if she wanted to.

But you don’t want to, do you? Despite everything you’d rather be here with Theo.

That’s what made all this so tough. She fought her own desires when she stood firm against his plan for marriage. It would be easy to agree and be swept along by the juggernaut that was Theo Karalis, the man who made the impossible happen with ease. She could marry him and know her child would grow up with two caring parents. It would know it was loved. How precious was that?

Life would be easier for Isla too. No money worries. She could continue her studies. Into the bargain she’d have a handsome, attentive lover, for she had no illusions that Theo intended a paper marriage. He was far too passionate for that.

All that held her back was the fear she teetered on the brink of falling for him again. Of wanting too much from a man who thought about duty, not love. And when he tired of sex with her? She didn’t think she could bear being married to him when he took other lovers.

So what are you going to do?

A sound behind her made her swing around.

‘Theo.’ Her voice was breathless, but who wouldn’t be, faced with the handsomest man she’d ever seen, tall and resplendent in bespoke formal wear, looking at her as if he wanted to eat her up?

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