California Girl Read online

  “How’d you guess?” She played along to see how far Ray’s pawn could take it. Plastering on her most intimidating glare, she skimmed the potato off her fork and devoured it.

  “Did you two have a spat?” Curiosity colored Niko’s eyes a darker shade of indigo. He grinned at her flirtatiously.

  Damn, he’s good. “Yeah, sure. Okay.” Ray must be paying him really well to get him to go this deep into character. Niko—if that was even his real name—was probably being paid with money Ray hid from her during the divorce proceedings. Anger seethed hot against her cheeks.

  “I suppose he’ll be quite surprised when he hears the news?” he said, a little too calmly to suite Veronica.

  “What news is that?” She regretted it as soon as she said it. Why did she egg him on?

  “That you and I are married?” He looked her over seductively but her defenses held strong.

  Veronica furrowed her brow. Why are you so calm about our so-called marriage? His behavior was suspect. But if Ray was behind it, she doubted the marriage was real. She wouldn’t put it past Ray. He’d go to great lengths to get revenge on her for what she’d done.

  Maybe she’d sleep with Niko—if she hadn’t already—and then she’d thank Ray for paying for the best sex she’d ever had from him. That’d teach her ex-husband a thing or two about spite and revenge.

  A devious cackle was on the verge of charging up her throat when she realized she couldn’t let Ray’s flunky know she was on to him. She had the upper hand and she intended to keep it that way.

  Keeping a watchful eye on Niko, she stabbed at the eggs on her plate with such force that her fork clicked against the dish. “You’re awfully calm about our marriage,” she said, and deposited the food into her mouth. There was no reason not to eat. It made sense to sate her hunger now and conserve her energy for later, when she’d need to elude the press she was certain Ray had waiting in the wings.

  “No use getting upset about it. It is what it is.” Niko’s tone remained calm. Veronica marveled at his composure. “You are a beautiful woman, and I’m not opposed to spending a few days with you.” He paused, and his eyes started doing the talking for him again. That made her nervous. “We were awfully good together last night.”

  “So you say,” she said, rolling her eyes. She had the edge because he didn’t think she remembered last night. It was best she kept it that way.

  “Come to Nice with me.” His smooth words and striking eyes lured her toward surrender. “I’ll give you the best honeymoon you’ll ever have.”

  Really? He’d blown it with the additional remark. It was presumptuous of him to assume as much, not to mention arrogant. “And then?” This guy was good, but her ex couldn’t have scripted every possible outcome for him. Ray wasn’t that smart. Handsome, yes. Talented, yes. But clever, no.

  “When you’re ready to leave, I’ll have my people take care of it.”

  I just bet you will. She chuckled, keeping her laughter inside. Those people of his probably consisted of Ray.

  This was a setup, Veronica was sure of it. She and Niko had met and married yesterday. Under those circumstances, what kind of man suggested they go on a honeymoon before ending the marriage? A hired one, that’s who.

  “You want to go to Nice?” she asked, playing along. “Sure, why not. So long as you’re buying. Let’s just call it a severance package, divorce settlement, or whatever.”

  * * *

  Veronica was laughing at Niko, mocking him. But why? Considering her conduct since she’d emerged from the shower, she’d all but put up a brick wall between the two of them. She’d agreed to go to Nice though. Maybe she thought he was bluffing. Soon she would know he never bluffed about anything.

  “I’ll call down to the concierge and have them get us a car.”

  “Oh, sure,” she said in that smart-ass tone she’d acquired while in the shower. “We are going by limo, aren’t we?”

  Niko squinted and tilted his head, scrutinizing her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “Good,” she said, rising. “I’m going to get dressed and go to my hotel to grab my stuff.” The woman shrugged, shot him a wry look and turned away. She grabbed her clothing from a nearby chair on her way into the bathroom.

  “No worries. We can run by Des Lices on our way out.” He stood and followed her.

  “That’s all right,” she said, closing the door between them. “You go ahead and tie up any loose ends with your affairs here and I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “If that’s what you want.” He leaned against the bathroom door. Better to let her have her way. He didn’t want to make her mad. As rude as she’d turned, he still wanted her in his bed. At the same time, he needed to charm his way out of the marriage without losing a fortune.

  The bathroom door opened and she emerged with a shy sort of smile and seemed to be having trouble looking him in the eye now. She grabbed her handbag and hurried across the room. Pausing at the door, she glanced over her shoulder. “You’ll wait here for me?”

  “Yes, my darling, I’ll wait for you here.” He stood as she slipped out into the corridor and closed the door behind her. On his own now, he looked around the empty hotel suite.

  For the first time, Niko felt alone. He strode to the window and gazed out at the ocean. For once, he wished he had a view of the hotel’s entrance instead of the Mediterranean. He’d feel better if he could see her one more time as she exited the hotel and disappeared inside a taxi.

  Niko turned from the window and took another sweeping gaze around the suite. The room seemed bigger now, lonelier somehow. A veil of emptiness bogged the air like a thick layer of gloom. The feeling of not knowing what to do or where to go washed over him. He’d never had that problem before. He liked being alone, generally. And he was never short on ideas for places to go or things to do. Until now. One place and one thing occupied his thoughts. Nice, and being there with Veronica.

  He shook his head, knowing his preoccupation with her wasn’t good. Nothing should be on his mind right now other than breaking free of these unintended bonds of matrimony.

  His cell phone vibrated on the nightstand. The humming was just loud enough to catch his attention. He grabbed it and checked the number. Stephan. Niko had been avoiding him as of late. His little brother had a way of adding new meaning to the term annoying. But right now he was glad for the interruption.

  “What is it?” Niko spewed the words in a bevy of frustration.

  “Ade re Malaka.” Stephan snubbed him by calling him a jerk.

  Niko dropped onto the bed and sprawled out against the headboard. “You have nothing better to do than call me up and insult me?” he said in a lackluster tone. No wonder he hadn’t been answering his phone.

  “Father would like to know when you’re coming home.” Stephan relayed the inquiry in a tone familiar to Niko. Little brother enjoyed being the messenger, relished in it, and often encouraged it.

  He’d return to Greece when he was damn good and ready. “Trust me. Nobody wants me home right now.” Niko’s mouth skewed into a taut scowl as he moved the phone away from his ear and bit back spontaneous words of profanity. Answering the call was a bad idea.

  “Thad is family,” Stephan said, and Niko mouthed the words along with 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 yourself,” she whispered. He was just an actor. All that stuff he said was just a well-thought-out, albeit over-the-top, scheme concocted by her ex for revenge.

  “Here’s to you, Ray.” She raised the wine glass, saluting. “I didn’t think you had it in you.” She took her time bringing the glass to her lips, but when she did, she wet them generously with the wine.

  Ray had almost gotten the better of her, but luckily she’d caught on to his ruse before it’d gone too far. She’d have to be careful from here on out; he was sure to step up his retaliation a notch once he found out his actor had failed.

  She huffed a deep sigh, bored and lonely. Too bad she hadn’t gotten the chance to see the look on Ray’s face when he realized he’d been out-snaked. Again. He must have been pissed when he discovered he wasn’t getting the European scandal he’d gone to such great lengths to arrange.

  A knock at the door filtered through the room and out onto the terrace. Rising, she glanced at her watch and went inside. Less than ten minutes ago, she’d ordered take-out from a nearby restaurant that had been recommended by the hotel. “That was quick.”

  Hurrying across the room, she stopped at the table, sat the wine glass down and fished her wallet out of her purse. She was going to like this place. The beauty of old-world charm and a restaurant’s quick delivery service that gave new meaning to the term fast food—what more could a girl ask for?

  The second knock was more forceful.

  Efficient, but impatient. Oh well, can’t have everything. “Coming...” she chimed, turning the knob and swinging the door open. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”

  “Really?” Niko Leandros—if that was even his real name—was the last, well maybe next to the last, person she expected to see at her door.

  She cut her eyes, examining the hallway behind him. Empty. Good.

  “How long did you wager it would take me to show up?” He smirked and tried to edge his way inside.

  Veronica shortened the space in the open door, blocking his way. Snide, arrogant bastard. Well, maybe that was meant for Ray. “What are you doing here?” she asked, continuing to block his way.

  “There’s a little matter that was left unfinished when you...ran away.”

  “Are you serious?” Disconcerted, she crossed her arms and looked away. How the hell had Ray found her?

  “May I come in?” Niko asked. “Or do you prefer airing our personal affairs out here in the hallway?” His mocking tone sent waves of irritation rippling through Veronica.

  Shaking her head, she said, “I’m not letting you in my room. I don’t even know you.”

  “You married me. You woke up in my bed...naked.”

  “I’m not letting you in,” she said, more forceful this time.

  “So, you want to stay married to me then?”

  Well, no, not if they truly were married. Hell, she didn’t even know this guy. Although, he did seem awfully sincere. Yet she still thought he was Ray’s pawn, and until she found out what Ray was really after, she’d better play ball. “Okay, if you want to talk, we’ll meet in a public place. You got any favorite restaurants nearby?”

  “La Salière,” he muttered restlessly.

  “Okay, I’ll meet you there at eight.”

  “I don’t think so.” He shook his head. “The last time I trusted you to meet me, you disappeared.”

  “Well...you’re welcome to stand out here in the hallway and wait until I leave for the restaurant.” Veronica shrugged dismissively and swung the door shut.

  She crossed the room, curses falling from her mouth. Ray had taken this game a step too far. Okay, so she’d gone a little overboard during the divorce proceedings, but who could blame her? Grabbing her cell phone off the table, she flipped it open and punched in a number she’d just as soon forget, but it was etched in her brain. She wished he’d change it.

  Her top lip stretched into a snarling motion as she heard Ray’s voice mail greeting. I got it, and you want it. Leave a message and maybe you’ll get lucky. Flippant, smug bastard.

  “Damn it.” She didn’t wait for the beep; instead, she snapped the phone shut and tossed it onto the nearby couch. She had to put a stop to Ray’s scheme before it got out of hand. But how, if he wouldn’t answer his phone?

  Casey. That’s it, she’d call Casey. She could deliver Ray a “cease and desist letter”. Hopefully today or tomorrow. An inner, triumphant smile curled up the corners of her mouth as she hit the speed dial number.

  The phone rang twice before she heard her friend’s voice. “Vee! How’re the Frenchmen hanging?” Casey’s laughter reached across the airwaves, chasing away Veronica’s sullen mood.

  “I’m in Monaco now,” she said.

  “G
uess who’s on the line with me?” Casey asked, instead of commenting on Veronica’s new location, but Veronica knew she’d heard her. That girl didn’t miss a thing.

  “You guys should catch the next flight out and meet me here,” Veronica said hopefully.

  “No can do. I’m right in the middle of a project.” Rosanna, the third member of the tight trio, was always in the middle of a project these days. Behind the camera, she was truly a gifted photographer, and it seemed that lately everybody who was anybody wanted Rosanna Carmichael to do their portfolio.

  “Girl, you need to get off the workaholic track and have some fun,” Casey said to Rosanna.

  “Don’t I know it.” Rosanna laughed. “Hey, Vee...can you send me a hottie?”

  Veronica ignored their jokes. “What’s the news been like on the west coast lately?”

  “Quiet.” Casey seemed to know exactly what she was talking about. “Britney’s at it again. You’re old news, honey.”

  “Thank, God. Have you seen Ray lately?” Anxiety rattled Veronica’s nerves.

  “No,” Casey said. “But Graham said they’re talking about a European tour.” Graham was Casey’s brother and the guitarist in Ray’s band. “I heard Ray needs money...” Her words trailed off into a devilish snicker.

  “Thanks to Vee.” Rosanna snorted.

  “Was it my fault Ray didn’t have the forethought to ask me to sign a prenup because he might one day be a famous rock-star?” Veronica had married Ray long before his rock-star days, back when Daybreak wasn’t much more than a garage band. Ray was the lead singer, and Veronica had been smitten with him from the get-go. He’d knocked her up, and then married her—the only decent thing he’d ever done for her. Five months into the pregnancy she lost the baby.

  Then three years ago, Veronica penned some lyrics and Graham laid down some chords, and when Ray added his tranquilizing voice to the mix, Daybreak became an overnight sensation. Ray had insisted they keep the marriage quiet so he could maintain his rock star image, and now in hindsight she was happy they had. Otherwise, the European press would be all over her.