Chapter Twenty-One

Sally handed Frankie the last of the carrier bags of supplies that Frankie had bought from the mini-market, and she stowed it in the boot of her little silver hatchback, then closed the rear door.

“The best of luck with your dinner-a-deux,” Sally said, stepping back and smiling broadly. “Let me know how it goes.”

“I will! Thanks for all your help. You’ve been a star.” Frankie eased herself into the driver’s seat, started the ignition, and then pulled away, waving a hand out of the window. She drove down the hill to Nik’s house, feeling pleased and excited. She had plenty of time to get the casserole prepared and let it cook slowly, plus perform the few finishing touches she had in mind in time for Nik’s arrival this evening. She hadn’t told him, as she was looking forward to surprising him. Her excitement rose as she glanced at the small, fancy box on the passenger seat next to her, which contained a set of sexy lingerie, purchased yesterday in Paragolis. She’d also brought along her best black leather stilettos. The question was—should she open the door to him wearing her saucy finery, or change into it later after they’d had dinner? Perhaps the latter, because he would be tired and needing a shower, and wanting food and a glass of red wine…

She pulled up in front of the gates of Nik’s house and aimed the remote he’d given her, then proceeded onto the driveway. She got out of the car and went around it to open the boot, humming to herself. Grabbing the bunch of flowers she’d bought in the village and also the carriers of food and wine, she made her way to the front door and let herself in. The security system didn’t beep when she entered, so she put her shopping down and went to look at the key pad; it was switched off. Strange. Then she noticed a woman’s handbag and a rucksack left to the side of the hall. Aspasia’s? Had she come back early?

“Hello! Chairéte!” When she got no reply, she headed for the kitchen. The unexpected sight of dirty dishes, cutlery, and mugs strewn over the counters greeted her. Eyebrows knitting together in puzzlement and her heart starting to thump, she tried to make sense of the scene. This was definitely not down to Aspasia, who was the cleanest, tidiest woman. Someone else was here! She stood for a moment, attempting to rein in her wildly racing thoughts. Who on earth…? Then she took a calming breath and got herself under control. This wasn’t right. What should she do? Call Nik? She glanced at her watch. He was probably in the air right now, but it was worth a try. Or she could call Dimitri and see if he knew anything. Panic rising again, she decided to go back outside; it was safer out there and her phone was in the car.

She went back into the hall and came to another abrupt halt as she saw a tall, blonde, and very naked woman standing on the stairs. Elsa!

“Wha-what are you doing?” she demanded.

Elsa drew herself up straighter and raised her chin, and Frankie couldn’t help but notice how the movement accentuated the girl’s large, firm breasts. She pulled her eyes away and swallowed, but stayed rooted to the spot.

“I am living here,” Elsa replied haughtily. “What are you doing?”

“Does Nik know you’re staying?” Frankie responded sharply, looking at Elsa again, anger bubbling up inside her now.

“Of course. He invited me to stay.”

Shock made blood rush to Frankie’s head and she was stunned into winded silence.

“He hasn’t told you?” Elsa’s eyes narrowed and glittered like a snake’s, and she smiled. “I am sorry if I surprised you,” she said, her tone becoming super-sweet. “I had to move out of the apartment I was in at short notice, because my ex returned to Sweden. But Nik came to my rescue. He immediately suggested that I come and live here, which is perfect. We’ve become so close since I started working for him.” She giggled. “I’ve made myself at home while he’s been away.”

“So I can see,” Frankie croaked in reply.

“Have you come for anything in particular?”

Frankie glanced at the flowers and the bags of shopping that lay discarded on the floor, and a big lump formed in her throat. “No,” she said thickly, then, suddenly feeling weak and defeated, and needing to get away, she started for the front door.

“I’ll let Nik know you called by,” Elsa called after her.

Frankie slammed the still-open hatchback door shut, then got into the car, started it, and pulled off as fast as she could. She turned out onto the road to make for home, but had to pull over shortly as hot tears blinded her. For countless minutes, she sobbed her heart out until the intense emotional pressure that had built up inside her subsided. Wiping her eyes, she caught sight of the box of lingerie sitting beside her. She reached for it. Setting it on her lap, she undid the ribbon around it and lifted the lid. She pushed aside the delicate tissue paper to reveal a red silk bra with a black lace trim, matching panties, a suspender belt, and fine black silk stockings. She welled up again, feelings of stupidity and shame overwhelming her. She should have listened to what her gut had been trying to tell her all along.

Nik raked a frustrated hand over his hair. He didn’t know what else to say to convince Frankie. Damn Elsa—damn himself! He’d been so wrapped up in the events in Rome, he’d reacted without thinking things through.

“Pethi mou, I am telling you the truth. As I have already explained, Elsa called me at the end of last week. She was distraught because her boyfriend had left her, and she was being thrown out of their apartment because she could not cover the rent. She said she had nowhere to go, so I agreed she could stay at my house until she found alternative accommodation. Aspasia gave her a key before she left for Thessaloniki.”

“Nik, really? You expect me to believe that?”

“Yes! Elsa assured me she would just be there for a few nights while I was away and gone before I got back from Italy. She said she knew of a cheap holiday let becoming free that one of the bar’s patrons had mentioned. It was as simple as that.”

Frankie blew out her cheeks and folded her arms. “Had you not noticed how she’d been coming on to you before you went to Rome?”

“Yes, but she is like that with every man.”

“Oh, please!” Frankie’s eyes still glared with fury. “Where the hell is she now?”

“On the ferry to Piraeus. As soon as I discovered her yesterday evening, I called Vasillis, who sent over two of the bouncers who work at Iris. They escorted her to Paragolis, Vasillis arranged for her to spend the night in a hotel there, and he and his guys put her on the boat this morning. There is a plane ticket waiting for her at Athens International to fly back to Stockholm tonight.”

“All very neat and tidy.”

“I wanted her gone as soon as I discovered her and what was going on. She will not bother us again.” He took a step forward and reached out a hand to gently touch Frankie’s cheek. She moved away. “Moro mou, do not turn away from me. Do not let this misunderstanding come between us.” He took another step and caught hold of her, pulling her stiff body to him and wrapping his arms around her. He planted his lips on her forehead and murmured, “How can I prove to you how much I need you? That you are who I want?”

“I don’t know, Nik, I really don’t know…”