“Sabrina only wanted to meet you and your brothers,” he ground out harshly, not caring about his implication with regards to Sabrina’s motives or perhaps just a tad defensive that he thought exactly the same thing when he first met her. “She’s not after anything else.”
“I don’t care about her motives. Whether she’s after money or out to discredit my dead father who can’t defend himself against her accusations is of no matter, but she won’t be acknowledged as a Konstantinos until I have incontrovertible proof.”
Luca stopped pacing and dropped on a couch. Accusations? He wanted to point out his own mother was the one who had revealed the horrifying truth about Sabrina’s paternity. And then with sudden insight, he realized that Markos’ refusal to acknowledge Sabrina’s claim was not because he thought it wasn’t true but that Markos didn’t want to admit his own father had done something unspeakable. A father that Markos had looked up to, much as Luca had idolized his own.
He sighed, rubbing a hand on his nape.
“I apologize for not telling you the truth at the start,” Markos said rather reluctantly. “I was supposed to, but you went on about not wanting to find out more about her and me…”
“It suited your purpose better when you found out I was into her,” Luca finished darkly.
“I made the mistake of showing her letter to Mother.” Luca could imagine his friend grimacing. “She had a nervous attack. I had Sabrina Connelly shadowed, and I learned that she had flown in to Seirenada. I was concerned what she might do while the rest of the family was there.” Markos laughed darkly. “Seems I was right to have been concerned.”
Luca bit back his stinging retort. The mess at the reception could have been avoided if Markos hadn’t brushed off Sabrina’s communications. But he also admitted that it might not have led to that if he hadn’t participated and struck that bargain with her and if she hadn’t gone back on her word.
Everything was water under the bridge. They could go on and on about the issue. Markos wasn’t ready to admit Sabrina was his sister until there was proof, and he knew in his gut that she wouldn’t provide it.
Which left him the only other thing he wanted to discuss.
Eleni.
“Markos, I want Eleni accountable for her actions at the reception.” Luca relayed what his ex-lover had done to Sabrina and also the prior incident at the bar.
“You should have told me before,” Markos said grimly. Since Eleni’s parents were dead, he acted as her guardian, even if she was a grown woman.
“I thought it was a one time thing, that time at the bar in Milan. I realize my mistake now,” Luca admitted. “There were no other witnesses at the Palace when it happened. And of course there were no CCTV cameras in the powder room where it transpired. Sabrina can’t file charges since Eleni flew out of Seirenada the day after the wedding.”
“I’ll talk to her when I get back to Athens.”
“Get her professional help, Markos,” Luca demanded, “before she really hurts someone.”
“I will. I’ll pull out Konstantinos Worldwide from her roster of clients if she doesn’t.”
“Good,” Luca replied. He had to be content with Markos’ word at the moment. If there was anything Eleni cared about in the world, it was her business. “She needs it.”
Then, “You’re not in Athens right now?”
There was a beat before Markos answered.“No.”
Luca waited for him to elaborate. His curiosity was stoked when he didn’t. “So, where are you?”
“I’m in Milan.”
“Milan?” Luca frowned. It wasn’t unusual for Markos to fly out to different locations to check out the hotels, but the way he hesitated about his whereabouts had him suspicious. Then he knew. “Your new girlfriend is Milanese?”
“Something like that,” Markos answered evasively.
Luca shook his head. Probably another airhead model. “While you’re there, could you check on Chiara?”
Markus coughed violently. Luca pulled the mobile away from his ear until his friend’s coughing had subsided.
“Mama is on a cruise and she won’t be in Milan for another week. Chiara says she’s fine but she still sounds run down.” Luca’s brow furrowed deeper. “You’re not coming down with a cold, are you?”
“No. I’m fine.” Markus cleared his throat several times. “Yes. I’ll check on Chiara.”
“Thanks,” Luca said gruffly. “By the way, I’m sorry for punching you in the eye.”