Exotic Nights: The Virgin's Secret / The Devil's Heart / Pleasured in the Playboy's Penthouse. Natalie Anderson

because they’d never got it from their parents. After Damia’s death, when Angel had come home from school in Ireland, she and Delphi had turned to each other for support.

      A look of mock sympathy came over his harsh features. ‘But since the collapse of Tito’s business you’ve had to make ends meet by working for that catering company, and now working as a chamber maid for the Grand Bretagne. Tell me,’ he said musingly, ‘it must be hard, changing the sheets for people who were once your peers … I did wonder why someone as educated as you had resorted to menial work, but then I realised that you obviously want to avoid any unnecessary investigation into your disgraced name. No doubt you figured that you’d re-emerge on the social scene and find yourself a rich husband once the Kassianides name had lost some of its notoriety.’

      Angel could feel the colour draining from her face at having it confirmed that he knew where she worked, and why she’d taken those jobs, albeit not quite for all the reasons he’d so cynically outlined. She thought of her dreams to set up a jewellery-making studio as soon as she had enough money. She thought of the aching disappointment she’d had to keep to herself every day that she hadn’t yet been able to realise that dream.

      ‘You have it all wrong. So wrong.’

      He ignored her, and she could have had no warning for what he was to say next.

      ‘Most interesting of all, perhaps, is that I also know that Stavros Eugenides and your sister are so-called sweethearts and want to marry, but his father won’t let them.’

      Angel’s legs nearly gave way. ‘How do you know that?’

      He ignored her question. ‘I will ask you this—is it important to you that your sister marries Stavros Eugenides?’

      Angel felt sick inside. Her brain clicked into high gear and she shrugged minutely, trying not to let it show how hard her heart was thumping. She knew instinctively that if Leo guessed for a second just how important it was he’d go out of his way to not let it happen.

      She tried to smile cynically, but it felt all wrong. ‘They’re young and in love. Personally I think it’s too soon. But, yes, they want to marry.’

      ‘I think you’re lying, Angel. I think it’s of the utmost importance to you and her that they get married. After all, why would you have gone to speak on their behalf with Dimitri Eugenides otherwise?’

      Angel found herself starting to tremble violently. How on earth did he know this? Was he a magician?

      ‘I—’ But she got no further.

      ‘I think that your sister is looking to get herself a rich husband just before you lose everything. If she can get engaged before the truly pathetic state of your father’s affairs becomes public then she’ll be safe. And you, by proxy, will be taken care of too.’

      Angel shook her head, as much in negation of what he said than anything else.

      Leo grimaced. ‘In some ways I can’t blame you. You’re two poor little rich girls, just trying to survive. Unfortunately you don’t seem to be aware that most of the world has to work to make a living to get through life.’

      Angel shot into action and launched herself at Leo, her two hands aiming for his chest, but before she could hit him he’d caught them in the tight grip of his own hands.

      Angel glared up, incensed to be feeling so weak and ineffectual. ‘You have no right to say those things. You know nothing about us. Nothing—do you hear me?’

      Leo looked down at Angel for a long moment, slightly stunned by the passion throbbing in her voice. He could see the twin thrusts of her high breasts against the thin material of her top. Immediately his body responded. Who was he kidding? His body hadn’t cooled down one bit since the study. And yet how dared she stand there and speak to him as if he’d just insulted her grievously?

      With ruthless intent, he drew her in closer to his body. There were two twin flags of colour high in Angel’s cheeks. Leo caught both her hands in one of his and caught her neck with his other hand, drawing her close. The tension spiked between them. He lowered his head, his mouth close to hers, and had to bite back a groan. She smelt so … so clean, and pure. With a hint of enticing musk. Just enough to make his body throb with need. This woman, she knew exactly what she was doing.

      ‘I haven’t finished with you, Angel.’

      ‘Yes, we have finished. I’d like to go now.’

      Leo could hear the tremor in her voice. Her breath tantalised him. He longed to crush her sweet, soft mouth under his again, but something made him hold back.

      ‘We haven’t finished because I’m not done telling you what I know. I can offer you something that despite your lofty protestations I don’t think you’ll be able to refuse.’

      Angel finally jerked away from Leo’s hands and stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest. The fact that he knew so much and could turn her upside down with just a touch was devastating. ‘There’s nothing you could say that I want to hear—’

      ‘I can persuade Dimitri Eugenides to give his blessing to a wedding between his son and your sister.’

      Angel’s mouth was still open. She shut it again abruptly. She hated what she was giving away, but she had to ask, ‘What … what do you mean?’

      ‘Ah,’ Leo mocked. ‘Not so sure now that they’re too young to marry?’ A look of unmistakable triumph came into his eyes.

      He was right, damn him, but for all the wrong reasons.

      ‘Just tell me what you mean,’ Angel bit out, vulnerability clawing through her.

      ‘It’s very simple. Dimitri wants to do business with me. The last time I was here he told me about the romance between his son and your sister, and thought he’d please me by telling me how much he disapproved, knowing of the history between the families. It had little significance for me at the time. Now, though, it has become … more significant. I can guarantee that as soon as it becomes apparent you’re my mistress he’ll be tripping over himself to make amends, terrified that I’ll remember his less than favourable remarks. I can make it a condition of that business that he allows Stavros to marry your sister.’

      Angel shook her head even as her heart fluttered with hope. ‘He won’t allow it, he hates our family.’

      Leo waved aside her concern and said arrogantly, ‘He’ll do whatever I ask, believe me. The man is desperate to enlist my favour.’

      Without really thinking, Angel found a chair nearby and sank into it. Her brain was buzzing. With a click of his fingers Leo had honed in on the one thing that Angel wanted most in the world—to be able to make things right for Delphi. She looked up at Leo, standing there like a marauding warrior, legs planted wide apart.

      She didn’t care what he thought; she just knew she had to do whatever it took. She stood up again. ‘I presume your condition for doing this is to make me agree to become your mistress?’

      Leo’s mouth thinned, and a hint of anger came into his eyes. ‘Don’t try and dress this up into you being the unfortunate victim. We both want each other, Angel, you just seem determined to deny it.’

      ‘But essentially you won’t help Stavros and Delphi unless I agree to go to you?’

      Leo shrugged insouciantly. ‘Let’s just say that then I would care even less what happens to them than I do right now. Why would I put myself out like that unless I was getting something in return?’

      ‘Me,’ Angel said flatly, but with an awful telltale quiver of physical response in her belly. She couldn’t even tell herself that she was immune to or disgusted by Leo’s offer, and she hated herself for it. Her conscience pricked her. How could she walk away from this opportunity for her sister and Stavros to be happy, no matter how it was coming about?

      Angel’s mind became very clear as she saw all her options dwindle away. Delphi was the best part of three months