"Christos keeps information about you close to his chest. He's very protective. Your mother confronted me on that cruise, the one where we were introduced and she lectured me about loving money more than the Lord. And how I was going to burn in hell for being so materialistic."
Leanne felt her insides quaking in mortification.
"Oh my God."
"Yes. I let her get on for a few minutes, before I told her where she could stick her opinion. I did not see the need to explain myself to her about the running of our company. How Kostas Enterprises has been in business, legitimate business for more than a hundred years and how it was started in a little known village in Greece. I just called her a hypocrite and left it at that."
Her eyes met Leanne's.
"I figured a woman like that could never produce a child worthy of my son."
"And you're right."
Shoving the blanket off, she rose and felt the room whirling.
Surging to her feet, Mary-Ann grabbed her, just as the door was pushed open.
"What the hell is going on?"
Christos was at her side in seconds, his gaze accusing as he looked at his mother.
"What did you say to her?"
"I'm still your mother and don't need to remind you that respect is due."
She turned to Leanne, her expression softening.
"I wasn't right my dear. You're nothing like that woman."
Turning back to her son, she touched his cheek fondly.
"Take care of your woman. She needs some rest."
Scooping her up, he sat on the sofa with her cradled on his lap.
"What was that all about?"
"Nothing."
She certainly did not want to recount that piece of humiliating conversation.
But he wasn't going to let her get away with not telling him.
"I could go and harass my mother into revealing what she said to you, but I would much prefer hearing it from you. Talk to me."
"You're so damn annoying."
"That has already been established. Spill."
"She spoke to my mother."
Dragging her chin away, she stared over his shoulder, expression stony.
"On that cruise where they met. My mother accused her of being greedy and materialistic. A lover of money, among other things. I'm surprised I was not fired."
He turned her to face him, fingers gentle but firm.
"We don't work that way. You would not have been fired for something someone else said. Your employment record speaks for itself. You're not her and it's time you start to believe it."
