The Helen Bianchin Collection

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HELEN BIANCHIN

Год написания книги

2018

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What did she say to that? ‘It’s been a while,’ Katrina agreed tentatively.

‘Georgia is nothing but a troublemaker,’ Eleni vowed quietly. ‘She has put Nicos through hell.’

Really? On the few occasions Katrina had seen him during the months of their separation he’d looked perfectly fine.

‘But then, of course you would know that,’ Eleni confirmed.

Katrina didn’t comment, although it was difficult to contain a smile as Eleni rolled her eyes with expressive distaste.

‘The woman is a witch.’ Eleni appeared to pull herself together and change the subject. ‘So, you have been engaged in business matters all day. Now, it’s time to celebrate.’ Eleni’s features softened. ‘A celebration for us too. I am pregnant.’

‘I’m so pleased for you.’ Katrina’s enthusiasm was genuine. A child was a beautiful gift, and Eleni had wanted babies from the day of her marriage.

Minutes later they gravitated towards the restaurant. The food was excellent, the service good, and the ensuing hours passed so quickly it was difficult to believe it was almost ten when Eleni indicated they should leave.

‘My wife tires easily,’ Stavros explained apologetically as Nicos settled the bill.

‘One minute I’m fine,’ Eleni said with amusement. ‘The next I can hardly keep my eyes open.’

They walked towards the exit through the hotel lobby and Stavros organised for the concierge to fetch their car.

‘We will see you again soon, yes?’ Eleni embraced Nicos, then turned towards Katrina. ‘Take care, Katrina.’

Their car arrived, courtesy of a porter, and within a few brief minutes they were gone.

‘Would you like to have a drink in the lounge?’ Nicos queried as they re-entered the lobby.

‘Okay.’ Anything to delay taking the lift back up to their suite.

Nicos ordered coffee, and Katrina sipped hers slowly as she indulged in the idle pleasure of people-watching. Couples, singles, young and old.

‘Penny for them?’

She looked at Nicos, and was unable to gain much from his expression. ‘It’s been a successful day.’

‘Yes, it has.’

‘Can I take it as joint executor, you approve my decisions?’

‘I have no doubt as to your ability to make them,’ Nicos said evenly.

‘Thank you,’ she responded solemnly.

‘I believe you’ve been looking at property.’

Katrina’s eyes sharpened. ‘I’m using my own personal funds, which gives you absolutely no reason to question me.’

One eyebrow slanted. ‘I was making an observation.’

‘You want addresses? So you can check them out?’ She could feel the anger begin to rise. ‘Or has your source of information already given you a full report?’

‘You use Kevin’s lawyer for your own affairs,’ he reminded silkily.

‘He contravened client confidentiality privilege?’ she queried, scandalised.

‘Not at all, and only in respect of commenting on your business acumen,’ Nicos said smoothly.

Katrina took in a deep breath and released it slowly. ‘I enjoy restoring property.’

‘The terrace houses are a good investment.’

‘You know about them—how?’

He held her gaze. ‘I’m negotiating to buy the remaining three in the same block. The agent rang me this morning and mentioned my wife’s expression of interest.’

Another breach of confidentiality? Or had the agent simply assumed a husband and wife were aware of each other’s financial investments?

‘You intend to outbid me?’

‘No. I had in mind we could collaborate.’

Her interest was piqued. ‘Harry would be delighted.’ She hastened to explain. ‘The interior decorator I use. He’s very good.’

‘Have him ring me.’

A waiter hovered with a cafetière of steaming hot black coffee and offered to refill their cups, which they each declined.

Katrina stifled a yawn, then rose to her feet. ‘I’m going up to bed.’ She was tired, and they were due to take the morning flight to Sydney.

Nicos unfolded his length and walked with her to the lift, summoned it, and within minutes they entered their suite.

CHAPTER SEVEN (#ulink_4c529e18-5067-59cd-912c-1967faf02fbb)

‘WHAT do you think you’re doing?’

‘Organising a makeshift bed,’ Katrina informed him as she took down a blanket and snagged a spare pillow.

‘The bed is large,’ Nicos said with dangerous softness.

Katrina met his gaze with open defiance. ‘I’m not sharing it with you.’

‘Is it me you don’t trust? Or yourself?’

‘You,’ she responded succinctly, and stepped through to the lounge.

She pulled two chairs together, facing each other, and decided it should be quite comfortable if she adopted a foetal position.

Seconds later she extracted a long cotton tee shirt from her bag and retreated to the en suite to change.