the ocean. Alannis even lived in a perfect spot. Close to Chrysander and Marley. They
could all be one big, happy family after Alannis married Theron.
“Isabella?” Alannis’s soft voice filled the room.
Isabella turned to see the other girl staring at her, clear confusion written in her
dark eyes.
“Mama said you wanted to see me.”
Isabella gathered her courage and crossed the room to stand in front of Alannis.
“I came to apologize and to right a wrong.”
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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE
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MAYA BANKS
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
Alannis frowned harder. “I don’t understand.”
Isabella took a deep breath. “I set out to break up you and Theron. I knew he
wanted to marry you, but I’ve been in love with him forever, and I wanted him. I never
stopped to think about what he wanted or that I was hurting two people in the process.
You and him.”
“But—” Alannis began.
“He wants to marry you,” Isabella continued on, cutting her off. “You’re who he
wants. Go to him, Alannis. The helicopter is waiting to take you to the island. He’ll be
glad to see you. I’ve ended things with him. I gave him back his ring. Make sure he gives
you a different one. You deserve a fresh start. One not tainted by me. Make him do it
right, with all the romance and fuss you deserve.”
Tears filled Isabella’s eyes again. “I’m sorry I hurt you,” she said. “I hope you’ll
be happy.”
She turned to walk back out of the house.
“Isabella, wait,” Alannis called. “You don’t understand.”
All Isabella understood is that if she didn’t get out soon, she was going to come
completely unraveled. She just prayed the taxi would be waiting as she’d arranged.
“Please show me out,” she choked out to the security guard who’d escorted her
inside. “I have a taxi waiting out front.”
As soon as the guard opened the front door, Isabella hurried down the drive
toward the wrought iron gate. They opened automatically as she neared, and to her relief,
a taxi waited outside on the street.
“The airport,” she said as she climbed in. As she pulled away, she saw Alannis
waving to her to stop. Isabella ignored her, turning away.
No one had ever told her doing the right thing would hurt so much.
“How long can it possibly take for the damn pilot to get out here?” Theron
demanded as he ran his hand through his hair for the tenth time in an hour.
Frustration beat at him. He was stuck here on the island until Chrysander’s pilot
could come out. Now, finally, he was supposedly on his way.
Chrysander put down the phone and turned to Theron. “Isabella’s pilot took her to
the Gianopolous estate.”
Theron stared at him in utter confusion. “Why on earth would she have gone to
see Alannis? I had no idea she even knew where she lived.”
“She’s trying to make things right,” Marley said softly. “First with you and now
with Alannis.”
He dug for his phone to retrieve Alannis’s number. If he could reach Alannis
before Isabella left then he could have her detained until he could go after her himself.
Chrysander handed Theron his phone, and Theron hastily punched in the
numbers. A few seconds later, Sophia answered the phone.
“Sophia, thank goodness. Has Isabella been by there? What? She left in a taxi?”
Sophia filled him in on where Bella was headed then he hung up and turned to
Chrysander. “Now where is your damn pilot?”
It had been impossible for Isabella to purchase a ticket leaving the country
anytime soon. All the outgoing flights for the next few hours were booked. In the end,
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MAYA BANKS
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
she’d gone to the charter service counter, plunked down her credit card, which she hoped
was as platinum as the name stated, and hired a private jet to fly her to London.
At least she was on board now, waiting as the jet was fueled and was placed in the
queue for takeoff. Exhaustion seeped into her bones. Not sleeping the night before
coupled with the emotionally draining day had taken it all out of her.
She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. She heard shuffling
in the distance and assumed it was the pilot, but then warm lips pressed gently to hers,
and her eyes flew open.
Theron drew away, cupping her face in his hands as she stared at him in