The Diakos Baby Scandal

The Diakos Baby Scandal
Natalie Rivers

‘Lucas is not my nephew.’ Her voice was quiet, but her heart was beating so loudly it almost deafened her. ‘He is my son.’

‘What?’

Theo stared at her in shock—not sure he had heard her correctly.

‘Lucas is my son,’ Kerry repeated.

She looked pale and sick, but she was meeting his gaze straight on—and he knew she was utterly serious. Then, almost as if his mind was working in slow motion, his thoughts pulled together to reach another obvious conclusion.

Kerry had said that Lucas was six months old. That meant…six months…plus nine months…

‘He is my son.’

The words sliced through the air like a knife— like a giant blade slicing through the reality of Theo’s tightly disciplined and controlled world.

He had a son.

‘You will regret this.’

‘Having your son?’ Her voice was thin and tremulous, as if she could sense the anger that was starting to build within him after the initial shock had sunk in.

‘The fact that you kept him from me,’ he said.

Natalie Rivers grew up in the Sussex countryside. As a child she always loved to lose herself in a good book, or in games that gave free rein to her imagination. She went to Sheffield University, where she met her husband in the first week of term. It was love at first sight and they have been together ever since, moving to London after graduating, getting married and having two wonderful children.

After university Natalie worked in a lab at a medical research charity, and later retrained to be a primary school teacher. Now she is lucky enough to be able to combine her two favourite occupations—being a full-time mum and writing passionate romances.

THE DIAKOS BABY SCANDAL

BY

NATALIE RIVERS

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

THE DIAKOS BABY SCANDAL

CHAPTER ONE

KERRY was shaking as she looked down at the little white stick clutched in her hand—a plus sign was clearly visible in the window. The test was positive. A flutter of excitement rose up inside her—she was pregnant.

It wasn’t planned, and she hadn’t truly expected the test to come up positive—but she knew the discovery that she was pregnant would change her life for ever.

She pressed her teeth gently into her lower lip and stared at the test result for a moment longer. Her heart had instantly filled with joy at the prospect of having a baby—but her body had already started to tremble with nerves.

How would Theo react to the news that he was going to be a father? The thought of telling him sent a wave of apprehension rolling through her.

It was only six months since she’d become the live-in lover of Theo Diakos—one of Athens’ richest, most powerful property tycoons. She’d shared his high-paced cosmopolitan lifestyle and spent night after glorious night in his bed. He’d treated her like a princess, and his close family members—his brother, Corban, and his wife, Hallie—had made her more than welcome.

But, although Kerry had fallen deeply in love with Theo, they had never discussed their feelings for each other. And they’d never talked about their future together.

She lifted her head, pushed her long blonde hair back from her face and walked out onto the roof garden. When she and Theo were staying in the city, this magical green and scented oasis was her favourite place. The warm fragrance of climbing roses wrapped around her and the gentle sound of trickling water filled the evening air. There was such an aura of tranquillity that it was hard to imagine the garden was right on top of one of the glitziest hotels in the city—the flagship property in Theo’s empire.

Beneath her the city lights were starting to shine, and up high on the Acropolis Rock the floodlit columns of the Parthenon were glowing majestically against the darkening sky. It was an awe-inspiring sight, and one that would be forever linked in her mind with Theo. Being with him was wonderful. For the first time in twenty-three years she felt as if she was wanted—cherished, even.

At first she’d hardly been able to believe that he was interested in an ordinary girl like her, but the intensity of their whirlwind affair had swept her doubts away and she’d never been so happy.

The troubles that haunted her past had faded until they seemed almost to belong to another lifetime. It was wonderful, knowing that he valued her and wanted to be with her. It was something she’d never experienced before—but it was something that she was determined her baby would feel right from the start of its life.

She pressed her hand against her stomach. The knowledge that she was carrying Theo’s child was still sinking in—but she knew one thing for sure. This baby would always feel wanted. Always feel loved.

Suddenly a rush of excitement bubbled through her body. Theo would be happy. She was certain of it. After all, he was a wonderful uncle—he clearly thought the world of his nephew, Nicco—and she knew he would be an amazing father.

All at once she was desperate to tell him the news immediately. She hurried back inside and dashed straight to Theo’s study in their private apartments at the hotel, almost running in her enthusiasm. She couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when she shared her wonderful secret.

She slid to a halt outside his study door as she realised he wasn’t alone. He was with his brother, Corban, and from the sound of their voices they were discussing something important—something urgent. She paused to catch her breath, disappointed that her special news would have to wait.

Then, just as she turned to leave, the subject of their conversation suddenly became clear to her. She truly had not meant to eavesdrop, and her Greek was still far from perfect. But she knew enough to understand what Theo and Corban were discussing.

They were talking about taking little Nicco away from his mother.

A knot tightened in her stomach and her heart lurched horribly in her chest. She couldn’t really have understood correctly. Could she? She stood frozen outside the study door—unable to tear herself away—listening to them talk.

‘You must think about Nicco—it’s your duty to protect him,’ Theo said. ‘He is your son, and his wellbeing must come first.’

‘But Hallie is my wife—she trusts me,’ Corban said. ‘I don’t think I can do this to her.’

‘You must.’ Theo’s voice was emphatic. ‘A Diakos child belongs with the Diakos family. And Hallie is not fit to take care of your son.’

‘But it seems so drastic,’ Corban said. ‘Can’t we at least let her see Nicco before we take him?’

‘No. Absolutely not,’ Theo said. ‘This is the only way. If we do this right now—tonight—Nicco can be away by helicopter to the island before Hallie even notices he’s gone. Then we can deal with her privately—get her out of the country without any fuss. No one outside the family ever needs to know.’

Kerry clamped her hand over her mouth in horror. Theo and his brother were plotting to take Hallie’s child away from her.

She started shaking violently, suddenly revisiting all the pain and misery of her own childhood. She felt sick, remembering the heartbreak and despair—the utterwretchedness—of her own true mother, who had been unable to bear having her baby daughter taken from her.

Kerry could not stand by and let that happen to Hallie. She had to try and save her friend the anguish that her mother had suffered. Maybe if her mother had been allowed to keep her baby she would still be alive today.

Suddenly Kerry found herself backing unsteadily away from the study doorway. Her throat was tight, her stomach was knotted painfully and her mind was spinning with horrible memories that made it impossible to think straight. All she knew was that she couldn’t let them take Hallie’s child away from her.

She turned and ran to find her friend. She had to warn her.

She charged into the luxury apartment Hallie shared with Corban, stumbled through the huge open living space to the bedroom and found Hallie sitting in front of the mirror brushing her long brown hair.

‘Kerry!’ Hallie exclaimed, her cheeks flushed and her dark eyes wide with surprise. ‘Is everything all right?’