California Girl Read Free Page B

him.
    “Luckily for him,” Niko said, laughter prattling with each word. “That’s the only reason I haven’t killed him.”
    “Look at it like this. At least you found out before you married Angelique.”
    “I guess you’re going to tell me that Thad was doing me a favor?” It was almost laughable, but somewhere deep inside his morbid wit, Niko knew Stephan had a point. “I’ve got a project in mind for Thaddeus.” Brisk hatred chilled his uneven tone.
    “Doesn’t involve cement and the ocean, does it?” Stephen’s voice cracked, his naiveté creeping through.
    Niko shook his head. Did he want to kill his cousin? Sure. Was he going to? No. “It’s worse.” He laughed cleverly. “I’m sending him to America.” Secretly though, Niko envied Thad. Someday, he’d like to go there, for more than a week or two. And maybe he would now that Leandros Shipping was branching out into the United States.
    “So, when are you coming home?” Subtlety was not Stephan’s strong suit.
    “Soon.” Niko let his mind wander off to Nice and the possibilities the city held now that he was going there with Veronica. “I got a little something I have to take care of first.”
    “Don’t hesitate too long, big brother. Another week and I’ll steal your place as father’s heir apparent.” Stephan’s latest attempt at humor lingered on Niko’s mind. He might have taken it seriously if it hadn’t been so damn funny.
    “You go ahead and take over, little brother.” Even as Niko said it, they both knew he didn’t mean it. “I’ll just remain here in—” Niko stopped abruptly. Damn. He’d almost let his location slip.
    “I almost had you.” Stephan’s bragging reached across the connection and attempted to crush Niko. It almost worked.
    “In your dreams.” Cynicism inflamed Niko’s voice. Wasn’t that what she’d said? He was sampling Veronica’s comebacks. Pathetic.
    “Do you need company?” Stephan asked. “Mother thinks you need a traveling companion to keep up your spirits.”
    Niko sealed his lips as the laughter charged up his throat but had nowhere else to go except out his nose.
    “I told her you probably already have a traveling companion.” Stephan chuckled, sounding devious.
    If they only knew. “I’m hanging up now,” Niko said, in a wisecracking tone.
    Niko heard Stephan say, “very well,” as he flipped his phone shut and tossed it onto the bed. He sat motionless for a moment and pushed the worries of home to the back of his mind. He decided it was time for a quick shower. He’d wasted too much time talking to his brother. Veronica would be back soon.
    He finished the shower in record time, dressed in a dark suit with a deep blue silk shirt that almost matched the color of his eyes, and waited for Veronica’s return.
    Niko passed the time pacing the length of the windows. When he tired of that, he took turns languishing on the bed and in the different chairs in the room. Time marched on. Not nearly fast enough at first, but soon he insisted it slow down.
    After three hours, he started to consider the notion that he’d been—how would the Americans say it?
    Ditched.

CHAPTER 2
    Fontvieille, Monaco
    Several days later....
    VERONICA POURED A GLASS of Bourgogne. She’d discovered the wine in France, and had quickly learned to love the sweet, fruity flavor that was accentuated with a hint of licorice.
    Glass in hand, she strolled barefoot onto the terrace of her second floor hotel room. The quaint inn nuzzled on the shore of a small cove pleased her. So did the price. After that fiasco in Saint Tropez, it was about time something went her way.
    Nestling into the cushioned chair, she propped her feet on a stool and sipped the wine. Niko crossed her mind. Damn good actor. What a shame. A twinge of regret clipped her over that whole Nice thing. It could’ve been fun—if the invitation had been real.
    She dropped her feet and they slammed against the floor. “Don’t do this to