The Andreou Marriage Arrangement. HELEN BIANCHIN

on empty was not advisable, and coupled with loss of sleep it tipped her into headache territory with increasing intensity.

      At five she was tempted to give up, except another hour—two, tops—and she’d put the day’s work to bed. Given international time-zones, the data would be accessible, and any delay minimal.

      She was almost done when her cellphone buzzed, and she automatically picked up…something she rarely did without first checking caller ID.

      ‘Alesha.’

      There was no mistaking that deep, faintly accented voice. ‘Hi.’ As a greeting, it was sadly lacking.

      ‘I’m on my way up.’

      So he was back…and here. He’d said he’d call, but she hadn’t counted on seeing him. Nor did she expect the slow curling sensation to begin deep within.

      She wasn’t alone in the building…There would be others staying back catching up on work, the cleaning staff.

      Minutes later he was there, his tall frame filling the aperture, and unbidden her pulse kicked into a faster beat as he moved into her office.

      ‘Working late?’

      His voice was deceptively mild, his eyes faintly hooded as he took in her pale features, the dark circles beneath her eyes. She looked beat, almost fragile, and at a guess she was harbouring a headache.

      Alesha deliberately focused her attention on the computer screen. ‘And you’re here…why?’

      ‘I need to collect a file which hasn’t been uploaded into the computer system.’

      A mark against Dimitri’s recently reassigned PA?

      Her father had expected efficiency…but not to the level demanded beneath Loukas’ direction.

      ‘Tough day?’

      Like you wouldn’t believe. ‘I’m almost done.’

      ‘Good. You can share Chinese with me.’

      She lifted her head and saw the paper sack he placed on her desk. ‘You brought food?’ Her stomach did a slow roll in anticipatory pleasure.

      ‘I missed lunch.’ And opted out of an in-flight meal that failed to provide sufficient sustenance to fuel a minimum four hours’ work. Following an intense few days of meetings, staff reorganization, and ironing out several kinks in the Karsouli infrastructure.

      He thrived on brokering high-powered deals, but Karsouli was personal. Aware of the need for a different approach from the slash and burn