“Theron, is something wrong?” Alannis asked.
She touched his arm and he turned to see concern reflected in her eyes.
“It’s nothing,” he said shortly.
Alannis glanced at Isabella and then back to him. “She seems to be having a good
time.”
“Yes.” His gaze drifted back, his annoyance growing as Marcus grew bolder in
his advances. “Excuse me a moment, will you, Alannis?”
He nodded to Sophia and walked as calmly as he was able over to where Marcus
was standing with Isabella. He all but had her trapped in the corner, his body moving in
like a predator closing in on a kill.
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SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
Just as Theron started to speak up, Marcus lowered his head to nuzzle Isabella’s
neck. Rage exploded over Theron. He closed the remaining distance and grabbed the
other man by the shoulder, tearing him away from Isabella.
“What the…” Marcus began but broke off mid sentence. “Theron, is there a
problem?”
“Come here, Isabella,” Theron bit out. He held his hand out as Isabella stared at
him agape.
“What on earth is wrong?” she asked even as she slid her hand into his.
He pulled until she was against his side then he focused the full force of his glare
at Marcus.
“Keep your hands off her,” he snarled. “You aren’t to touch her. You aren’t to so
much as think about her. Understand?”
Marcus surprised him by grinning and then backing away, hands up. “Whatever
you say.” Then he winked at Isabella. “I guess I’ll go. Something tells me I’ve overstayed
my welcome.”
“Oh, no, Marcus, stay.” She glanced back up at Theron with a puzzled expression.
“I’m sure Theron has no objections.”
“I have plenty of objections. He was mauling you in plain view of a roomful of
people.” Then he turned again to Marcus, as he pulled Isabella even closer. He dropped
his voice low enough not to be overheard. “If I find you near her again, I’ll take you
apart. Are we clear?”
He ignored Isabella’s stunned gasp. Marcus merely smiled and continued to back
away, his expression smug.
“I’ll see you another time, Bella.”
“Goodbye,” she said softly.
“Come on,” Theron said, half dragging her along with him. “You’re not to leave
my side for the rest of the night.”
To his surprise, she didn’t offer any argument. Halfway back to where Alannis
and her mother still stood, Isabella stumbled, and he turned back quickly to catch her.
“Slow down,” she said. “I can’t walk that fast in these shoes.”
“Sorry,” he said gruffly as he righted her. He held her arms until he was sure she
had her footing. “Better?”
She nodded and they started back again.
“Isabella, are you all right?” Sophia asked in concern when they walked up.
Isabella offered a smile. “Yes, Mrs. Gianopolous. I’m fine. Thank you for
asking.”
“Please, do call me Sophia.” Sophia reached out and took Isabella’s hand from
Theron’s. “Can I get you something to drink? Have you had anything to eat since you
arrived?” She turned to Alannis. “Will you excuse us for a minute, dear? You stay here
with Theron while I take Isabella over to grab a bite to eat.”
Theron held up his hand to stop the endless stream of chatter. His head was
pounding, and what he really wanted was to go pound on Marcus for touching Isabella,
for putting his lips on her.
“Just stay here. I’ll have a waiter bring around a tray. I’d prefer that Isabella
remain with me for the remainder of the evening,” he said brusquely.
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THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
The older woman’s eyes widened in surprise. Alannis moved closer to Isabella
and touched her arm. “Are you sure you’re all right, Isabella?” she asked softly.
Isabella’s smile seemed strained when she looked back at Alannis. “I’m
absolutely fine. Theron overreacted.” She shot him a challenging look. “I’m not sure how
he expects me to find a husband when he flips his lid the moment a man pays attention to
me.”
Theron took a deep breath. “I don’t think what he was doing could be classified as
paying attention to you. Theos! He was making love to you for all to see.”