The Greek's Bought Wife. Helen Bianchin

      

      “What if I were to suggest adoption?” Nic spoke with a deceptive mildness. “For a mutually agreed sum.”

      Tina froze, unable to utter so much as a word for several long seconds before anger ignited and threatened to explode. “You have to be joking.”

      “One million dollars.”

      She opened her mouth, then closed it again as she found her voice. “Go to hell,” she managed.

      “Two million.”

      Incredulity was uppermost. She turned, only to come to a halt as her arm was caught in a firm grasp.

      His eyes held hers, their expression impossible to read. “Sit down. Please,” he added with chilling softness. “There are other options.”

      “I don’t see how you can top it,” Tina ventured savagely.

      “Marriage.” He paused fractionally. “To me.”

      Legally wed, but he’s never said…

       “I love you.”

      They’re…

      The series where marriages are made in haste…and love comes later….

      Look out for more WEDLOCKED! wedding stories available only from Harlequin Presents^®

      His Wedding-Night Heir

       by Sara Craven

      #2509

      The Greek’s Bought Wife

      Helen Bianchin

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ISBN: 978 1 472 03156 3

      THE GREEK’S BOUGHT WIFE

      © 2005 Helen Bianchin

      First Published in Great Britain in 2005

       Harlequin (UK) Ltd

       1 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9GF

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      All characters in this work have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

      This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II B.V./S.à.r.l.

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       www.millsandboon.co.uk Version: 2020-08-19

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      CONTENTS

      CHAPTER ONE

      CHAPTER TWO

      CHAPTER THREE

      CHAPTER FOUR

      CHAPTER FIVE

      CHAPTER SIX

      CHAPTER SEVEN

      CHAPTER EIGHT

      CHAPTER NINE

      CHAPTER TEN

      CHAPTER ELEVEN

      CHAPTER TWELVE

      CHAPTER THIRTEEN

      CHAPTER ONE

      NIC LEANDROS eased the powerful Lexus down into the underground parking area beneath a luxurious apartment building located in Sydney’s suburban Double Bay, slid into a reserved bay and cut the engine.

      His cellphone rang, and he quickly checked the caller ID, uttered a husky oath, and let the call go to MessageBank.

      Sabine…again. How many times had she called today? Four…five? The woman was becoming obsessive, he admitted with a wry grimace. He hadn’t expected an easy end to the relationship. But how long would it take for Sabine to understand no meant precisely that?

      It had been months since he’d cut the ties, politely refusing her veiled invitations until her protestations reached desperation point, whereupon he refused to take any of her calls. For the past several weeks she’d virtually stalked him, resorting to SMS text messaging several times a day and turning up wherever he happened to be…in his favoured Melbourne restaurants, at two parties and a fundraiser.

      He’d issued a warning, followed it with legal action. Yet Sabine still persisted.

      Nic crossed to the bank of lifts. He had no need to check the apartment number or the floor on which it was situated, for it was one of several owned by the Leandros Corporation and occupied until very recently by his young half-brother.

      Sixteen years his junior, Vasili had been a much-loved addition to the Leandros family twenty-one years ago. To his father Paul, a delight, and the apple of Nicos’ adored stepmother Stacey’s eye.

      Nic reflected on the affection they’d shared, despite the gap in their ages. Vasili’s upbringing had followed an identical path to his own…strict and loving. How else could it be beneath Stacey’s guiding hand?

      Yet Vasili had developed a recklessness Nic had never aspired to. He’d sailed through scholastic studies, gained a degree in business management, and entered the Leandros Corporation at the bottom of the corporate ladder…as Nic had, succeeding without any seeming effort.

      Vasili had remained in Sydney acquiring corporate skills, while Nic was based in the Melbourne head office, in between extensive travelling between America and Europe.

      Yet their bond had remained a close one, despite the vagaries of distance.

      Good-looking, fun, Vasili had had a love of life, girls, and fast