Melanie Milburne - The Greek's Convenient Wife

‘It’s not a threat, Maddison, it’s a promise, and if you don’t fulfil your side of the bargain, neither will I.’

‘I don’t know why you’ve targeted me as your victim in all this,’ she said. ‘I have absolutely nothing to offer you.’

‘You have everything to offer me,’ he countered. ‘You love your brother and are prepared to do anything to save him. That sort of loyalty is not to be disregarded.’

‘You’re exploiting it for your own ends.’

‘Maybe, but at the end of the day you’re the one who wins in all this.’

‘How so?’

‘Your brother will be released from all retribution from me, and you’ll be adequately compensated for your time and efforts in portraying yourself as a devoted wife. I can’t do any more than that.’

‘I still think there’s a loophole in all of this.’

‘It’s understandable you’d see it that way, but let me reassure you I have no such motive. I wish only for a quick solution to my own problems, and as it turns out you are a very convenient alibi.’

‘It’s been all too convenient for you, though, hasn’t it?’ she asked. ‘My brother has played right into your hands.’

‘Your brother was foolish enough to leave a footprint. If he hadn’t done so I would still be scouring the streets for the culprit.’

‘I only wish my brother had thought to torch your car and your hotel as well,’ she said bitterly.

His mouth thinned as he took in her enraged features. ‘That would have been most inadvisable. If he had done so you would not be marrying me next week, and your useless brother would be facing me in court.’

Maddison didn’t have an answer at the ready.

‘I would advise you, Maddison, to see things as they are. You stand in front of your brother’s freedom; don’t throw it away on a whim of petulance directed at me.’

‘I hate you.’

‘I’m very glad you do,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t like to think you harboured any other emotion considering the terms I’ve laid down.’

‘How can you sleep at night?’ she asked.

‘I can sleep with ease,’ he said. ‘Knowing that I did all I could to secure my own interests.’

‘At the expense of someone else’s?’

‘Yes,’ he said without apology. ‘At the expense of someone else’s.’

She turned away from his arrogant features and sucked in a steadying breath. ‘How soon do you wish to activate this fake marriage?’

‘Next week.’

She swung back to face him, her expression full of alarm. ‘Next week?’ She had forgotten it would be so soon.

He gave a casual lift of one shoulder as if they were merely discussing the date of a picnic, not a legally binding agreement such as marriage.

‘I thought it best to get the deed over with as quickly as possible. A whirlwind affair will attract exactly the sort of press attention I need to divert attention away from my other activities.’

‘How can anyone possibly organise a wedding in a week?’

He gave her an imperious smile as he tapped his inside pocket. ‘That over-stuffed wallet you referred to before comes in rather handy when I want something done in a hurry.’

‘I just bet it does.’ She gave him a caustic glance.

‘I also thought we should spend some time together this week,’ he added. ‘It will give credibility to our relationship if we’re seen in public a few times.’

‘I’m busy this week.’

‘Cancel.’

‘I don’t want to.’

‘You might think it amusing to defy me at every turn, but let me assure you, Maddison, I will always maintain the upper hand. You will accompany me on several dates this week and demonstrate your ecstatic enjoyment in being in my company. Is that clear?’

Mutiny flared in her eyes as she faced him. ‘I’ll loathe every minute.’

‘So will your brother if he ends up in jail.’

Blue eyes clashed with black until Maddison had no choice but to look away.

She heard him shrug himself into his jacket and the jangle of his keys as he searched for them in his trouser pocket but she didn’t turn around.

‘I’ll call for you tomorrow. Be ready at seven.’

‘What will I wear?’ she asked stiffly.

She heard him open the door but still refused to face him.

‘Surprise me,’ he said and closed the door behind him.

Maddison couldn’t help smiling a mischievous little smile as she listened to his footsteps fade away as he strode down the stairs to his car. Demetrius Papasakis was in for a surprise all right; she would have the last word and the last mocking laugh as well.

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