CHAPTER ONE
TALOS XENAKIS had heard a lot of lies in his life, particularly in relation to his beautiful, ruthless ex-mistress. But this one topped them all.
“It can’t be true,” he said in shock, staring at the doctor. “She’s lying.”
“I assure you, Mr. Xenakis, it’s true,” Dr. Bartlett replied gravely. “She has no memory. Not of you, not of me, not even of her accident yesterday. And yet there’s no physical injury.”
“Because she’s lying!”
“She was wearing a seat belt when her head hit the air bag,” Dr. Bartlett continued. “There was no concussion.”
Talos stared at him with a scowl. He had a reputation as a doctor of immense skill and integrity. He was rich from a lifetime of serving wealthy, aristocratic patients—so he couldn’t be bought. He was known as a family man, still completely in love with his wife of fifty years, an adored father of three and grandfather of eight—so he couldn’t be seduced. So he honestly must believe Eve Craig had amnesia.
Amnesia.
Talos’s lip curled. After all of her devilish cleverness, he would have expected more of her.
Eleven weeks ago, after stabbing him in the back, Eve Craig had vanished from Athens like a ghost. His men had searched for her all over the world without success until two days ago, when she’d suddenly resurfaced in London for her stepfather’s funeral.
Talos had dropped a billion-dollar deal in Sydney, ordering his men to trail her until he could reach London on his private jet. Kefalas and Leonidas had been right behind Eve yesterday afternoon when she’d left the private hospital in Harley Street. They’d watched her tuck her long, glossy dark hair beneath a silk scarf, put on big black sunglasses and white driving gloves and drive away in her silver Aston Martin convertible.
Right into a red postbox on the sidewalk.
“It was so strange, boss,” Kefalas had told him that morning when he’d arrived from Sydney. “She seemed fine at the funeral. But leaving the doctor’s office she drove like a drunk. She didn’t even recognize us when we helped her back into the hospital after the accident.”
Now, Dr. Bartlett looked equally puzzled as he scratched the back of his wispy white head. “I held her overnight for observation, but cannot find anything physically wrong with her.”
Talos ground his teeth. “Because she doesn’t have amnesia. She’s playing you for a fool!”
The elderly doctor stiffened. “I do not believe Miss Craig is lying, Mr. Xenakis. I have known her since she was fourteen, when she first came here with her mother from America.” He shook his head as he mused, “All the tests came back negative. The only symptom seems to be the amnesia. Leading me to perhaps wonder if the accident was merely the catalyst—the trauma was an emotional one.”
“You mean she brought it on herself?”
“I wouldn’t say that exactly. But this is outside my field. It’s why I’ve recommended a colleague, Dr. Green.”
“A psychiatrist.”
“Yes.”
Talos latched on to the one valuable bit of information. “So if there’s nothing physically wrong with her, she can leave the hospital.”
The doctor hesitated. “She’s certainly strong enough. But as she has no memory, perhaps it would be better if a member of her family…”
“She has no family,” Talos interrupted. “Her stepfather was her only relative, and he died three days ago.”
“I did hear about Mr. Craig, and was very sorry. But I hoped perhaps Eve might have an aunt or uncle, or even a cousin in Boston…”
“She does not,” Talos said evenly, although he had no idea. He only knew nothing was going to keep him from taking Eve away with him today. “I am her…” What? Ex-lover bent on revenge? “Boyfriend,” he finished smoothly. “I will take care of her.”
“So your men told me yesterday, when they said you were on your way.” Dr. Bartlett eyed him as if he did not quite like what he saw. “But it does not sound as if you even believe she needs special care.”
“If you say she has amnesia, I have no choice but to believe it.”
“You called her a liar.”
Talos gave a crooked grin. “Creative untruths are part of her charm.”
“So you are close?” The doctor looked up at him with narrowed eyes. “Do you plan to marry her?”
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Talos knew the answer the man wanted—the only answer that would release Eve into his power. And so he told the truth. “She is everything to me. Everything.”
Scrutinizing Talos’s expression, the doctor stroked his beard with something like satisfaction, then nodded in a sudden brisk decision. “Very well. I’ll release her into your care, Mr. Xenakis. Take good care of her. Take her home.”
Take her to Mithridos? Talos would die before he would pollute his home that way. But Athens…yes. He’d lock her up and make her thoroughly regret betraying him. “You will release her to me today?”