Back In His Arms Read Free Page B

he squealed with happiness they looked into each other’s eyes and smiled.
    “Our family,” said Atreus.
    “Our family,” Carla agreed.
    “Oh hell,” a woman’s voice said from the forest behind them.
    Carla scrambled to her feet and snatched up Dios.
    “Who’s there?”   Atreus called out.
    “Who the devil do you think is here?”   Serene pushed her way out of the bushes.   “What the hell are you doing on my island?”
    “Serene!”   said Atreus.
    “Yes, that’s the name of it,” Serene said.
    She crossed her arms and glared at Carla.
    “No,” Atreus corrected her.   “It’s not called Serene anymore.”
    “Oh, I see,” Serene said, looking Carla up and down.   “So what’s it called?   Silly Little Whore Island?”
    “Who’s there, sweetness?”   another voice called from the bushes.
    “Come and see for yourself,” hissed Serene.
    Nikolas came through the gap in the bushes.   When he saw Atreus he threw his hands up in the air.   “Give it up, Atreus.   She loves me now!”
    “You think I want this woman back?”   Atreus spat.   “You must be out of your damn mind.   I’ve come here with Carla.   And our son.”
    “And now you can get the hell out,” Serene demanded.   “This is my island and you’re not welcome.”
    “No, Serene.   This is not your island,” Atreus declared.   “I purchased it and named it after you, but now I have renamed it Redemption Island.”   He reached out and held Carla’s hand.   “For Carla.”
    “Awww, Redemption Island,” Serene laughed sarcastically.   “Isn’t that sweet.”
    “Ridiculous,” said Nikolas.
    “I have no interest in what you two think of me,” dismissed Atreus.
    “Maybe you’ll have an interest when you find out what Nikolas will do to you if you don’t hand over the deed to this island.   And not only this one, but Little Ekali too.”
    Serene stepped back and rested her head on Nikolas’ shoulder with a smug, victorious smile.
    “I can take away your share in Kostas Shipping like that,” said Nikolas, snapping his fingers.   “Just one little scandal and I can turn the whole board against you.”
    “I’ve done nothing to warrant a scandal,” said Atreus proudly.
    “One little scandal and I’ll have my son in my arms,” said Serene, ignoring Atreus’ response.   She looked up at Nikolas.   “With a strong, decent, kind, real man as his father.”
    Carla clutched Dios to her chest.
    “You don’t love him.   You gave him up.   Why do you want him now?”
    “She only wants to break up our family,” explained Atreus.   He turned to Serene.   “But, mark my words, you won’t.   You can’t .”
    “If you don’t give this woman exactly what she wants,” said Nikolas, “namely this island, Little Ekali and Dios, I can guarantee that I will destroy you.   Professionally, personally, everything.   Your name will be so dirty that people won’t even want to spit on it.”
    “Get off my island,” Atreus demanded, trying to remain calm.  
    “Or what?”   Nikolas countered.   “One phone call to the board and it’s all over for you.”
    “We’re going to Little Ekali now,” said Serene.   “Our boat’s around the other side.”
    “No, you’re not,” said Atreus.   “You’re going back to Greece and never coming back here again.”
    “Okay,” Nikolas shrugged, pulling his smartphone out of his pocket.   “Let’s see what chairman Alessandro Marinos has to say about how you beat Serene within an inch of her life because she threatened to expose your plan about price fixing.”
    Carla could barely catch her breath.   How quickly paradise had turned into hell on earth.   She looked at Atreus and, though his face was set in fierce determination, his hands shook.   She couldn’t believe his next words.
    “Okay,” he said.   “Come to Little Ekali now. We’ll talk.”

    *****

Chapter 3
    “It’s totally up to you,” said Atreus. “If you want to