The Tycoon's Son

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That was all it took for Helena to launch into a diatribe about the director from hell.

Theo just listened, grateful when the server came around and filled the wineglasses. The women were both friendly and going out of their way to make him feel at ease. Still, it seemed awkward to sit across the table from them and know that some of the same blood that flowed through their veins flowed through his. To know that they’d grown up in a whole different world based solely on the fact that his father had chosen to marry their mother.

Still, they kept the conversation going throughout dinner, and just as he’d hoped, the women seemed willing to carry the brunt of the conversation.

He learned that Katherine’s husband was an architect with worldwide clients, and consequently his job demanded a lot of travel. He also discovered that Katherine’s daughter, Gemma, was on the ship as a volunteer in the children’s centre. Helena touched briefly on her failed marriage and satisfaction with her career and single status.

But neither brought up the reason they’d contacted him, and even after they’d finished dessert, he still wasn’t sure why he was really there…until a spot of red hair caught Theo’s eye.

Trish Melrose, a woman he hadn’t planned on seeing again, sat across the dining room at one of the large round tables. His blood turned frigid as he made the connection.

He’d taken Katherine’s phone calls, hardly questioning the fact that out of the blue she’d decided it was time for them to meet. He hadn’t balked when she’d asked if he’d come aboard Alexandra’s Dream.

Now he realized he’d been a naive fool. His mother had been right. Katherine and Helena had their own agenda.

Now that he’d discovered what it was, he just had to decide what he was going to do about it.

CHAPTER FIVE

IF ASKED, TRISH couldn’t say exactly when she first became aware Theo was in the dining room. All she knew was that right in the middle of her Lobster Newberg, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled. She glanced around, checking out the other tables in her vicinity, but came up empty.

Then, after she ordered dessert, a curious warmth filled her body and she knew with absolute certainty that Theo’s eyes were on her. She couldn’t explain how she knew because she didn’t understand it herself.

Taking a sip of cappuccino, Trish slowly scanned the upper level of the dining room. Only this time she cut a broader swath, delving into the farthest reaches of the room, into the small alcoves reserved for VIPs and couples who wanted privacy.

She’d almost surveyed the entire room when her breath caught in her throat. For several heartbeats she sat frozen, unable to look away.

Theo Catomeris, the man she’d thought she’d never see again, sat at a table with two women, one with dark hair, the other an almost-blonde. He looked serious, his expression grim. Trish couldn’t help but wonder what they were talking about and why he was on the ship.

When he’d dropped her and the other tourists back in Corfu Town, she’d been certain she’d failed. Now it looked as though she may have been given another chance to convince him to sign that contract with her company. Trish’s heart fluttered in her chest and she placed the cup back on the saucer with a trembling hand as excitement coursed through her.

Although she often got an adrenaline rush before making a big business deal, this felt like something more. She suspected her mounting excitement wasn’t just because she had another chance to make the deal or save the jobs of her employees. Some of the rush came from seeing Theo again.

“I really wanted Bananas Foster,” Sally said with an exaggerated sigh. “But the fruit should be good, don’t you think? And it’ll be a lot less calories.”

“The fruit will be fabulous,” Trish heard herself murmur. Pushing back her chair, she rose to her feet and placed her napkin on the table. “I see someone I know. I’m going to run over and say a quick hello.”

Without waiting for her friend’s reply, Trish started across the dining room, carefully avoiding the waiters holding large silver trays laden with desserts. On her way to Theo’s table, she noticed several admiring glances.

She gave all the credit to the russet-colored silk dress she’d picked up several months ago on clearance. It hugged her lithe body, giving a tantalizing illusion of curves where there weren’t any.

The closer she came to the table, the happier Trish was that she looked her best. She’d been so focused on Theo that she’d failed to properly appreciate his dinner companions, two very beautiful women in their midthirties.

The one with dark hair and an olive complexion looked as if she could be Greek. The other woman was fair, with classic English looks. Their dresses were designer elegant and judging by the number of waitstaff hovering near the table, one or both were very important.

Interrupting a man having a private dinner is risky, a tiny little voice inside Trish’s head warned. He saw you. He’s probably still angry. If he wanted to talk, he’d have come to you.

Trish knew she could have waited. That may have been a better option. After all, the alcoves were specifically for passengers desiring privacy. But she’d already finished her dinner and she couldn’t wait at the table all night hoping he’d come over. Besides, she only planned to say hello. Any business person would do the same.

Drawing closer to the table, she became increasingly aware of the intimacy of the setting. Neither woman looked up as Trish approached. There was something about the threesome…something that was similar. Perhaps it was their shared Greek heritage. Now that she was closer, Trish could see then even though the blonde didn’t have the same dark complexion, there was definitely Greek blood in her background.

The dark-haired woman was recounting some tale for Theo, punctuating her words with exaggerated hand gestures. The other woman’s attention was totally focused on Theo.

He wore a button-up shirt open at the neck, and its pristine whiteness brought out the olive tones of his skin. Trish could understand why the women couldn’t seem to take their eyes off him.

Her steps slowed, but when he looked up and saw her, Trish knew she was past the point of turning back. She was barely five feet from the table when the women finally noticed her.

Of course, Theo pushing back his chair and rising to his feet was a fairly obvious clue that she wasn’t just another guest passing by.

“Miss.” A tall muscular man in a dark suit appeared out of nowhere and stepped in front of her just before she reached the table. “This is a private party. I must ask you—”

“Mrs. Melrose and I are acquainted,” Theo said, cutting off the man’s dismissal.

The man kept his feet planted but cast a questioning glance at the fair-haired woman seated to the right of Theo. She inclined her head slightly and only then did the man in the suit step aside.

By now both women were staring, along with the serving staff clustered just a few feet from the table. Thankfully Trish had never been the type to blush. She lifted her chin and extended her hand to Theo. “Forgive me for interrupting. I just wanted to stop by and say hello.”

Theo hesitated before his hand closed over hers for the briefest of shakes.

“I believe you know Katherine and Helena.” He gestured to the two women at the table, now on their feet and openly assessing Trish.

She blinked several times before she made sense of the strange comment. She couldn’t believe Theo was so naive. Alexandra’s Dream had over a thousand passengers. Just because she and the women were on the same ship didn’t mean she knew them. “I’m afraid I haven’t had the pleasure.” Trish flashed a warm smile and extended her hand first to the dark-haired woman closest to her. “I’m Trish Melrose from Miami, Florida.”

The woman took Trish’s hand. “Helena Stamos. This is my sister, Katherine.”

Stamos? Trish frowned. “Any relation to Elias Stamos?”

Katherine laughed, a light gentle sound. “He’s our father. But, please, don’t hold that against us.”

Despite the words, Trish could hear the fond undertones and knew the woman and her father enjoyed a close relationship.

Theo stiffened and Trish couldn’t help but wonder why a man who seemed to have a grudge against the wealthy shipping tycoon was having dinner with the man’s daughters?

“Do you know our father?” Helena asked.

“I don’t know him personally,” Trish said. “I run a company that arranges excursions for cruise lines. So any contact I’ve had has been on a business level.”

Katherine’s eyes lit up. “You’re the one charged with getting the Kefalonia excursion back on the schedule.”

“That’s right,” Trish said, doing her best to keep her tone light. “I’ve been trying to convince Theo that it would be in everyone’s best interest to sign the contract.”

Theo’s expression darkened and Trish saw instantly that her calculated risk had blown up in her face.

“But of course, that’s his decision to make,” she said hurriedly. Trish knew she could stay longer and try to repair the damage, but the tense set of Theo’s jaw told her she’d already overstayed her welcome.

“I think it’s time for me to get back to my friend. Again, I’m sorry I interrupted.” Trish smiled at Theo, not surprised he didn’t smile back. “A pleasure to see you again.” She turned to Katherine and Helena. “It was very nice to meet you both.”

The three resumed their seats. Conscious of their eyes on her, Trish walked away with her head held high, making a determined effort to hide her disappointment. The encounter may have gone badly but she was only down, not out. She would regroup. Plan her next move. She wasn’t ready to give up yet.

Still, when she got to the table and saw everyone enjoying their dessert, Trish found herself wishing she’d remained at her table and chosen cheesecake over Catomeris.

“TRISH MELROSE,” Katherine mused as she stared after the other woman. “So that’s the woman whose company handles the excursions.”

“She seems nice,” Helena added, casting a sideways glance at Theo.

Theo took a sip of grappa, his gaze still firmly fixed on Trish. When he’d spotted her in the dining room, it had instantly become clear why his half sisters had chosen to eat there. Why he’d been asked to meet them on the ship. Why they’d even contacted him in the first place. He’d been set up. Obviously Stamos had asked them to do their part to get him to sign.

Anger warred with disappointment. Though he didn’t know Katherine and Helena well, he’d been open to considering a relationship with them. In his mind, they had nothing to do with their father’s treatment of his mother and him. But Trish…well, her behavior shouldn’t have been such a surprise. She’d made it clear by her repeated attempts to convince him to sign that her allegiance was with Stamos.

“Theo?” Helena’s concerned voice broke through his thoughts. “Is something wrong?”

They’d been in it together. Plotting, throwing out all the stops in an attempt to get him to sign with Liberty. Katherine hadn’t contacted him because she wanted to get to know him…she’d done it to help her father. Obviously family loyalty didn’t extend to him.