Mistaken Identity (12 page)

Their father blamed the deterioration of his relationship with his wife on the success of his company. He thought if he’d paid less attention to building up his wealth, and more time with his wife, she would have remained faithful. Then her tragic death would have been avoided.

The conflict between the brothers worsened recently because Alex wouldn’t fund Spiros’s business proposition. He’d planned to set up his own recording studio and accompanying agency to manage pop stars. But he’d done no research, had no managerial or business skills, and refused the suggestion that he attend a university to acquire them. Alex wasn’t prepared to sink money into any project until his brother was better equipped to manage it.

Spiros always wanted to take the easy option, had always wanted things handed to him on a plate. He’d bragged that Susan Hamlin would be the first one to sign up under his management, and that he was making so many contacts through her, his business would be a winner. He’d thought everything else would just fall into place.

Alex turned off the taps and reached for a towel. Susan was probably right in saying he’d been too controlling of Spiros. After their mother died, and Spiros’s relationship with their father deteriorated, Alex had promised his father to watch out for his younger brother. With the benefit of hindsight Alex could see he’d been a bit too heavy-handed — especially once he found out Spiros was seeing the popstar who’d made a play for him.

He’d confronted Spiros about the affair and advised him to end it at once. Susan Hamlin was trouble. But his words of advice had been like waving a red flag at a bull. Spiros seemed doubly determined to continue the affair, then started talking marriage. Now, he wondered whether Spiros was cultivating the relationship with dual motivation. Partly in defiance of Alex’s demand, and partly so Susan would sign as his first star client. The fact that she was being used just as much as she was using Spiros brought Alex no joy.

He threw the towel on the wash basket, and his thoughts turned to the present. If the blonde wasn’t Leah Bristow, was she another singer Spiros wanted to ‘manage’?

If only Spiros would realise he wasn’t experienced enough to launch into his own business yet. He should marry Elena, and start his training with Con Moustakis. One day he could take over the reins of the shipping company and the rest of the Moustakis empire. It was what he’d said he’d wanted — until he met Susan.

Alex got into bed. He couldn’t tell Spiros how to live his life. The more advice he offered, the less his brother listened. Susan was right about that. He had to find a way of showing his brother that he was wrong.

He switched off the bedside lamp.

The phone on his bedside table rang, and he flicked on the light again and saw it was Dimitri calling.

‘Thought you’d like to know the latest,
Kirie.
’

‘Yes.’ Alex tightened his grip on the telephone.

‘We’ve just found out Miss Hamlin’s credit card was used again yesterday morning.’

How had she managed that?

‘Another hotel room?’ he queried.

‘No. This time for two airline tickets.’

‘For Spiros and the mystery woman?’

‘We think so.’

‘Any leads on her identity?’

‘Not yet. We’ll know more when we get the passenger details from the flight.’

‘Where are they now?’

‘The seats were booked on yesterday’s flight from Paris to Athens.’

Alex’s grip loosened, and he let out a pent-up breath. ‘He’s home.’

‘Looks like it. At least that’s where he was heading. We’re not sure he was on the flight, we just know that the seats were booked.’

Relief was replaced by curiosity. ‘I wonder why he’s bringing the blonde with him?’

‘If that’s who he’s travelling with. It might be a while before we can access the passenger manifest. Airline security is pretty tight on that.’

‘I’m sure you’ll find a way.’

‘We won’t give up until we do, boss.’

‘Anything else, Dimitri?’

‘We’re still trying to find out about Leah Bristow.’

If Spiros was already in Greece, Susan’s friend may not be as important. ‘What do you know so far?’

‘Not a lot. The neighbours say she’s a high school teacher. We’ll check it out. Her mother, Carla, is holidaying in Australia,’ Dimitri continued. ‘She won’t be back for a couple of weeks.’

‘Thanks, Dimitri.’ Alex ended the call.

So, his brother was home. He couldn’t have contacted any family members, or Alex would’ve heard about it. Spiros was probably still smarting over Susan’s no-show at their arranged elopement. So who was the blonde?

He got out of bed and threw on a shirt and pair of shorts. His mind was buzzing. He might have the answers to his questions much sooner than he thought. One thing that still didn’t add up was how Susan was able to use her credit card. Did she have access to a mobile phone, or had she given the blonde woman authority to sign on a credit card in her name?

He picked up the phone again, and punched the numbers with urgency.

‘Dimitri, get me a photo of Leah Bristow.’

‘Yes,
Kirie
.’

Maybe Susan’s friend was still important in all this after all. Once he knew what Leah Bristow looked like, he’d know whether or not Susan was lying about her involvement with Spiros.

He made his way back to his study. Concentrating on work was the only way he was going to banish thoughts of Susan and Spiros from his head. He turned on the light, then sat at his desk and prepared to read his emails.

Scrolling down the screen, one message immediately received his full attention. It was from his brother!

All his senses were on full alert as he opened the message. He read and re-read it, unable to believe what had been written. His brother would be coming to the island in a couple of days and wanted to discuss his business plans, his relationship with Susan, and his marriage.

Even after Susan hadn’t turned up as planned, Spiros still wanted to marry her?

Alex rubbed his temples.

Think!

He recalled his earlier thoughts. Spiros wouldn’t listen to him. Whatever Alex said, his brother would probably do the exact opposite. Telling his brother that Susan was unsuitable for him wasn’t enough. Alex needed to show his brother just how unsuitable Susan was. He needed to reveal her true colours.

He didn’t think the incriminating photos of Susan would do that on their own. It would be too easy for her to say that she’d changed. He needed something current, something beyond any doubt that’d open his brother’s eyes to her real motivation and leave no room for possible reconciliation.

Slowly he began to formulate a plan. If it was successful, he’d be able to put a permanent end to the relationship between his brother and Susan.

Chapter 7

Leah had to avoid Alex. Every time she was with him, he overwhelmed her. He exuded more sex appeal than any other male she’d encountered, and that made him dangerous.

She cringed, embarrassed in the knowledge she’d returned kisses that were meant for her famous sister. How would this powerful man react when he discovered her true identity? He’d probably be disgusted.

Despite missing dinner the previous night, she wasn’t hungry. Forcing down another mouthful of yoghurt, she acknowledged that there was no denying she was attracted to Alex, yet even if they’d met under different circumstances, it was unlikely he’d feel the same way about her. Pain ate away at her like acid — Leah just didn’t stand out in the crowd.

She wasn’t Susie and didn’t have her sister’s confidence or flamboyant personality. Kyle had betrayed her, and Alex was way out of her former boyfriend’s league. This Greek billionaire was probably used to dating supermodels. She was kidding herself if she thought she could ever hope to catch his attention.

Tears welled in her eyes; a giant fist squeezed around her heart. It was pointless tormenting herself with hopeless fantasies. The fact was, even without the conflict of their siblings between them and the unforgivable masquerade she’d maintained, she and Alex were worlds apart.

Susie’s arrival with Spiros would expose her deception. Alex would find out. A volcano would erupt, and she’d be trapped directly in the pathway of the molten lava that would pour out. There would be nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. He’d hate her.

There was a firm knock at her door. She put down her spoon, stood up, and pulled her dressing gown tighter around her. As she went to the door, her heartbeat accelerated. Her reaction addled her brain: One moment she wanted to avoid Alex, the next she was hoping he was the person at her door.

Taking a few deep breaths, she slowly opened the door. As it swung to, Alex’s frame was revealed, filling the doorway. Wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and light tan drill pants, he looked sexier than any man had a right to.

Her blood heated in her veins. ‘What do you want, Alex?’

‘To speak with you.’

She wanted that too. As much as she wanted to have him present, she had to deny her need. He was getting too close to the truth.

‘I think we’ve said all we have to say to each other,’ she said, beginning to close the door.

‘Susan.’ His voice was a low growl of warning.

She opened the door and stood aside. He would not be stopped — not by her. She braced herself for another confrontation. Tensed at the knowledge she’d probably have to tell more lies or at least invent half-truths.

Alex walked into the room and closed the door. ‘I’ve been thinking over what you said last night.’

‘You have?’

‘You were right. Spiros and I, well…our relationship hasn’t exactly been smooth.’

She was speechless. Why was he conceding the argument to her?

‘I was wrong to lay all the blame at your door.’

‘Are you serious? I can’t believe what I’m hearing.’

‘Spiros’s happiness is my main concern. Perhaps I have,’ he hesitated, seeming to choose his words with care before going on, ‘misjudged the situation.’

‘What are you saying Alex?’

His eyes narrowed a fraction before he went on. ‘I’m not sure what sort of bond you have with your parents. You resent that I’ve interfered in your relationship with my brother, but you should understand that it’s the Greek way. We do what we can to protect our loved ones.’

Not just the Greek way — she’d done all she could to protect Susie and her unborn baby. And to protect her parents from scandal and conflict. That was the only reason she was in her current predicament. She hoped he’d remember the importance of family love and loyalty when her deception was exposed.

‘If you have any experience of family closeness, you’ll understand why I wish to keep you here until I’m satisfied Spiros isn’t rushing into making a decision on marriage. I need to know he’s making the right choice.’

‘Are you telling me you’re not going to interfere in Spiros’s relationship with’ — she stopped herself short of saying her sister’s name — ‘me?’

‘I think Spiros should spend more time planning his future.’

‘And you’d allow him to contemplate a future with me? You’d give up on your chance to have a family alliance with Elena’s father?’

She watched him grit his teeth together. ‘I’ve told you, and I’ll tell you again. Spiros’s happiness is more important to me than any real or imagined business dealings.’

‘Still, you think Elena is a more suitable partner for Spiros,’ she pressed.

He inclined his head slightly. ‘Yes, at this stage, I do.’

‘I can understand why you disapprove of…me, but loving someone doesn’t give you the right to play God,’ she told him. ‘Each of us is entitled to make our own decisions, and we’re all capable of change.’

‘Are you capable of change?’

‘Yes,’ she responded unequivocally. Susie had to be capable of change. ‘Are you capable of letting go of your prejudices?’ she challenged.

He lifted his hand to his chin and rubbed his jaw line, seeming to consider her question. ‘Perhaps,’ he conceded.

‘By interfering, you’re just signalling to Spiros that you don’t respect his ability to make decisions,’ she continued. ‘You’re undermining his self-confidence.’

‘I’m not going to sit back and watch Spiros make the biggest mistake of his life, but I acknowledge you seem to be making changes to your lifestyle.’

She eyed him with suspicion. That was a huge admission. Was he sincere?

‘You’re planning to marry my brother,’ he continued. ‘If you did, you’d become family.’

He was acknowledging marriage between Susie and Spiros was a possibility —something he’d never accepted before. She shook her head, trying to work out what he was up to. Her responses to him last night provided him with ammunition to question her love for his brother, so why the about-face now?

‘Do you plan to continue your career if you and Spiros marry?’

‘I don’t see what that has to do with anything.’ More to the point, she didn’t really know what Susie’s plans were in that direction.

‘I’m wondering how much time you’ll be able to spend working on your relationship, if you spend a lot of time touring.’

‘I have a current contract to honour.’

‘I see.’

‘Alex,’ she asked in disbelief, ‘are you really saying that you’ll give the marriage your blessing if you consider that our love is genuine?’

‘I wouldn’t try to prevent my brother’s marriage if I believed he was truly in love, and those feelings were genuinely reciprocated.’

‘In other words, you don’t think that’s the case, so you’ll never give Spiros your blessing to marry me.’

‘I —’

‘He doesn’t need your approval, Alex. He’s a man.’

‘Stop interrupting me and listen!’

‘No,’ she said, frustrated beyond reason. ‘I know there’s nothing I could ever do to prove that my love for Spiros is real. But I don’t need to prove it to you — just to Spiros.’

‘Be reasonable. If you marry with my blessing, it’ll ease your way into the family.’

‘If there’s family friction, it’ll be of your own making.’

‘I’m offering you a truce here. Will you accept it?’

She didn’t trust him for a second, but it seemed childish to not at least accept the offer.

‘Accepted,’ she told him, after a few moments of consideration.