THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
“That’s because there isn’t one yet,” she said mischievously. “I never said that I
had a man lined out yet, just that I intended to be married before I turned twenty-five. As
that gives me three more years, there certainly isn’t a need to start ordering background
checks.”
“Then why aren’t you going to Europe? It was your plan at least a week ago
according to the letter you sent to Chrysander.”
“I sent Chrysander no such thing,” she protested lightly. “The man Chrysander
hired to oversee my education and my living arrangements informed Chrysander of my
trip to Europe. I simply changed my mind.”
His hand slipped to the back of his neck as a full-blown migraine threatened to
bloom.
“So what do you intend to do then?” He was almost afraid to hear the answer.
She smiled broadly, her entire face lighting up. “I’m getting an apartment here in
the city.”
Theron choked. Then he closed his eyes as he felt the cinch draw tighter around
his neck. If she stayed here, then he would be stuck overseeing her affairs, checking up
on her constantly.
Suddenly her impending marriage didn’t strike such a chord of irritation. She was
twenty-two. True, it was young to marry these days, but certainly not outside the realm of
possibility. Perhaps the best thing he could do for her was to introduce her to a man well
equipped to provide security and stability for her.
The thought was already turning in his head, gaining momentum, when she spoke
again.
“I’m sorry?” he said when he realized he had no idea what she’d said to him.
“Oh, I only said now that we’ve gotten my arrangements out of the way, I need to
be going. I have an apartment to find.”
Alarm bells rang at the idea of Isabella traipsing around a city she wasn’t
intimately familiar with, alone and vulnerable. Hell, she could wind up in an entirely
unsuitable neighborhood. And then there was the matter of her security. Now that she
was going to be here and not in Europe, he’d have to scramble to get a team in place. The
last thing he needed was for her to be abducted as Marley had been.
“I don’t think this is something you should do alone,” he said firmly.
Her expression brightened. “That’s so sweet of you to offer to go apartment
hunting with me. I admit, I wasn’t looking forward to it on my own, and your knowledge
of the city is so much better than mine.”
He opened his mouth to refute the idea that he’d volunteered anything, but the
genuine appreciation on her face made him snap his lips shut. He let out a sigh, knowing
he was well and truly screwed.
“Of course I’ll accompany you. I won’t have you staying just anywhere. I’ll have
my secretary come up with a few suitable places for you to view and then we’ll go.
Perhaps tomorrow morning? You’re welcome to stay in the suite for as long as you need
it.”
She frowned. “But I hate to put you out.”
He shook his head. “It’s no bother. Chrysander still has a penthouse here that I
can use. I need to be looking for a place as well now that I’ve permanently relocated
here.”
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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE
9
MAYA BANKS
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
Her eyes sparked briefly, but then her expression faded to one of neutrality.
“In that case, I appreciate the offer, and I’d love to go apartment hunting with you
tomorrow. Shall we do lunch as well?” she asked innocently.
“Of course I’ll feed you,” he said with a grunt. Why did he feel as though he’d
been run over by a steamroller? The idea that this mere slip of a girl had run so
roughshod over him left him irritated and feeling like he’d been manipulated, but there
was nothing but genuine appreciation and relief in her expression.
She hurried over and threw her arms around him. She landed against his chest,
and he had to brace himself to keep from stumbling back.
“Thank you,” she said against his ear as she squeezed him for all she was worth.
He allowed his arms to fold around her as he returned her hug. Her body melted
against his, and he felt every one of those generous curves he’d noticed earlier. His hand
skimmed over the small portion of flesh on her back that was bared by her shirt, and he
wondered again over the tattoo he’d seen there. It was driving him crazy not to know
what it was.
He shook his head and gently extricated himself from her grasp. “Let me call for
the driver so he can return you to the hotel.”