Jodie frowned with confusion. “Wait. What?” She shook her head as she tried to make sense of what he said. “Isn’t this the Volakis Island?”
“Oxi, this is my home,” he replied in a resigned tone.
She glanced around again at the white sand beach and leafy trees. The island was unspoiled and isolated. Free from any distraction. It suited Stergios.
“Why did we have to stop here?” She whirled around and watched the helicopter fade into the gray sky. “Why didn’t you ask the pilot to wait?”
“He’ll be back in three days.”
“What?” Her heel skidded against the path. She grabbed his sleeve but her hand barely wrapped around his muscular arm. “I don’t understand what is going on.”
His eyes were cold and wintry when she met his gaze. “You didn’t leave when you had a chance,” he said in a clipped tone. “You didn’t stay away from Dimos. You left me no choice.”
Her mouth parted as the shock and confusion crashed inside her. “What are you saying?”
“You’re not going to the wedding,” he announced. “You’re stuck here with me until I decide it’s safe to let you go.”
CHAPTER FOUR
“YOU CAN’T DO THAT!” She looked around the island, the scent of the briny ocean and the promise of rain suddenly overwhelming. Her head began to spin as she took deep gulps of air. “I did not agree to this. My father is expecting me at this wedding. It will embarrass him if I unexpectedly don’t show up.”
“You have no choice in the matter. I suggest you get inside before the storm hits.”
She waved her hands in the air as she spluttered with outrage. “Do you honestly believe that I will just follow you? Only because you say so?” She reached inside her purse and grabbed her phone. “You forget that I’m not an Antoniou who mindlessly obeys your orders.”
“Put that away,” Stergios replied. “You’re not going to reach anyone. There is no internet or phone connection on this island.”
She refused to believe him. A man as important and powerful as Stergios Antoniou would have all of the latest technology. But as she held up her phone she saw he was telling the truth. Maybe she was in a bad range. Maybe she had to go higher on the island.
“People are going to worry if we don’t show up.” She hated how her voice escalated as she took short, choppy breaths. “Especially you. You have to be at the wedding. You’ve been part of it every step of the way. Will it still go on if you don’t manage every moment of it?”
“One of my assistants is calling my mother to let her know we’ve been detained because of mechanical problems.”
He sounded indifferent. She hated it. Hated him. “You thought of everything. How long have you been planning this?”
“It came to me this morning. Does it matter?” He gave a shrug before glanced at the darkening sky. “We need to go inside.”
“No.” She looked around wildly, her heart pumping. There had to be a boat around here. A Jet Ski. Something. She would find a way to escape if she had to comb through every inch of this island.
“Come along, pethi mou,” he said with a bite of impatience. “The caretaker is away but you are safe with me. After all, you are my guest.”
She scoffed and cast him a look of disbelief. “I am your hostage.”
Stergios flinched. He went pale as his expression turned blank. “What did you say?” His voice was a rasp.
“You heard me.” Jodie didn’t like how the air suddenly crackled between them. Alarm trickled down her spine. “You have kidnapped me. You, of all people.”
He dropped the suitcases on the ground as if his fingers went slack. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” His hand sliced through the air. “This is not a kidnapping.”
“You are detaining me against my will.” Her voice faded as he approached her. It took all of her courage to stand her ground.
“Did I take you by force?” he asked through clenched teeth. “Are you in chains?”
Jodie saw the haunted look in his eyes and she knew he was wrestling with old memories. But she couldn’t afford to show him any sympathy. “What are you saying? That I’m not your prisoner because I had a comfortable ride over here?”
He stabbed his finger in the direction of the house behind him. “You will have a room of your own and plenty of food. You will have comfort and privacy. I will make sure every one of your needs are met.”
“As long as I do what you tell me?” She flung her hands high in the air. “Forget it. I’m not going into that house. How do I know that you won’t lock me in the room?”