The Greek Tycoon's Ultimatum

Desperation edged her voice. “It can’t change anything. I still need the money right now. Perhaps, we could make it a loan and once I’ve gotten a job I could pay you back in monthly installments.”

She’d been forced to pull her entire savings to pay the increased costs of the round-the-clock care her aunt needed since the last stroke, but another payment would be due in only a couple of weeks.

Brenthaven had a strict policy requiring advanced payment for services. If she did not keep up-to-date, they would transfer Aunt Beatrice to the nearest state nursing home. They might regret the need to do so, but would do it nonetheless as she had discovered four years ago when she had separated from Dion without a financial support agreement.

Felix announced dinner before Leiandros responded to her suggestion of a loan.

Savannah tried to do justice to the excellent dinner Felix’s wife had prepared, but jet lag and the stress of trying to spar verbally with Leiandros had stolen her appetite. Not to mention the strange vibrations that shivered through her whenever she let her eyes meet Leiandros’s. Even her favorite moussaka tasted like sawdust in her mouth.

Leiandros pushed his empty plate aside while eyeing her nearly full one. “You should have taken a tray in your room. You’re too tired to enjoy a full course dinner.”

“We needed to talk without interruption.” Or witnesses. She did not want her daughters to know that Leiandros sought to have the Kiriakis women back in Greece permanently.

“So, talk. You can begin by telling me what significant change you anticipate in your circumstances that will make it possible for you to go from living on ten thousand dollars a month to a fraction of that.”

She didn’t like the speculative look in his eyes. Nor did she have any intention of telling him what he wanted to know. If he found out about Aunt Beatrice, he would have the same stick to beat her with Dion had used so effectively.

“My financial needs are my concern. If you won’t lend me the money, I’ll take out a mortgage on my house.” There was no reason to let him know that option was an iffy one at best without a proven source of income.

She had to hope Leiandros’s pride would not allow a Kiriakis to go to a bank for what the family had been providing up to date.

He said nothing as the housekeeper removed their dinner plates and put small crystal bowls of fresh fruit and cream in front of them.

She smiled at Savannah. “I think you’ll eat this, yes?”

Savannah returned her smile. “Yes. It looks very refreshing.”

Silence reigned as she and Leiandros ate their dessert.

When they were finished he told the housekeeper they would take their coffee on the terrace and led Savannah outside. The view from the back terrace was every bit as spectacular as it was from the bedroom windows. The sea glistened gold and red and even the pool shimmered with exotic color in the sun’s setting light. She gave an involuntary sigh of appreciation.

“There is nothing more beautiful.” Leiandros pulled a chair out for her from the white wrought-iron patio set.

She sat down, her gaze shifting from the vibrant sunset to the tall, dark man at her side. “Sunrise in a grove of Magnolia bushes isn’t such a paltry sight, either.”