‘There’s no one worrying about who I spend my time with.’
‘No one? You don’t have family?’
He hesitated on the brink of a terse response. Something sharp that would deter more questions. Except he knew now that Rosamund wasn’t a spoilt socialite probing for fun. She’d been genuinely distressed and concerned for him last night, not leaving his side until he’d received treatment.
He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had worried about him like that. It made him feel…raw. Yet part of him hankered for more.
His voice roughened. ‘Only my mother and she doesn’t take an interest in things like that.’
Blue eyes surveyed him, unblinking, making him wonder what was going on in Rosamund’s quick brain. ‘But if the press knows there was an incident last night—’
‘She won’t worry.’ He saw Rosamund wasn’t convinced. ‘We’re not in contact. I don’t even know where she is. She could be incommunicado at some Pacific beach resort, or shopping in New York.’
It was a lie. Of course he knew where she was, on a luxurious, privately-owned Caribbean island. Even after all these years he kept discreet tabs on the woman. If he knew where she was he could ensure their paths never crossed.
Time to change the subject.
‘I talked with your brother.’
‘Leon? He rang?’ Fotis heard pleased surprise in her voice. As if a call from the king was an unexpected pleasure. What wereherfamily relationships like? He doubted they could be worse than his.
‘I called to update him.’ He paused. ‘The US investigators are closing in on Ricardo. They’re hopeful it won’t take much longer to finish building the case and arrest him. But you’ll need continued close personal protection for a while longer.’
If he’d expected her to be pleased, he was mistaken.
‘He’s already tried an attack on me and failed. The police have the attacker in custody.’
‘They’ve yet to prove the link and that doesn’t mean you’re out of danger. What’s to stop Ricardo trying again?’
Rosamund paled. ‘Is that likely? Surely he has other priorities if he’s running out of money.’
Fotis’ mouth flattened. He knew how reckless a thwarted narcissist could be, his mother was a perfect example. Ricardo might not expect money from Rosamund, but Fotis guessed he felt she owed him for what he’d lost.
He leaned across the table, willing her to understand. ‘You made a fool of him in public. You denied him the fortune he desperately needed. And heisdesperate. That makes him angry and dangerous. The scandal you created means even if he did have another woman in his sights, they wouldn’t trust him after reading those press reports. If he’s going down, he’ll want to take you with him.’
Fotis saw the brutal words sink in, hating their necessity.
Rosamund gave a shuddering sigh then put her untouched coffee down. ‘So Leon wants me to have the full complement of royal bodyguards when I get back to Cardona.’
‘That’s one option.’ Fotis measured his words carefully. ‘Or you could come with me to Greece. I can protect you there more easily. After all, the world believes we’re lovers.’ He ignored the blast of pleasure his words elicited. ‘No one will think it suspicious if we spend time together.’
‘To Greece? With you?’
Her astonishment was such that he might have suggested they fly to the moon instead of across the Mediterranean.
‘You don’t trust me to look after you?’
Her gaze went to his bandaged arm then to his face. ‘Of course I trust you.’
There it was again, that peculiar feeling of loosening and warmth, deep inside, as if she’d tugged free a too-tight knot in his gut. He didn’t let himself wonder why her trust mattered.
‘Why would you do that? You fulfilled your end of the bargain. Leon will deliver on his promise.’
Fotis was the first to look away, fixing his attention on the navy blue sea. ‘There are benefits to having a king in your debt.’
‘You negotiated another deal with him?’
He shrugged. Let her think that. It was easier to let her believe his interest was in fulfilling his own agenda than a simple determination to keep her safe.
