The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Part 4

His tone had become harder as he had bitten out "Why?"

Grace sitting as her legs had felt suddenly so weak "I eloped with the man I love...with Daryle. We married this morning"

The heavy silence that followed had stretched her nerves to breaking point before he had finally spoken "You will understand if I don't wish you the best Miss Leotta... and I also hope you will understand that I find your behaviour inexcusable"

With that he had hung up Grace feeling the tears running down her face, not sure why those few words had stung her more than all the insults and hysterics of her parents.

With a small knock Daryle had come into the room, taking her into his arms as he had made soothing noises against her head.

"We knew it was going to be bad...and it is not going to get any easier in the short term...but it will eventually Grace...I promise"

Sniffling miserably she had nodded her head against him, feeling as he had pushed a tissue into her hand as giving a small laugh she had pushed away the tears, smiling up at her friend.

Daryle had not been wrong. For the next week she had received lawyers' letters and calls from her mother and father all threatening and bullying, her mother in floods of tears each time they would talk. However, as it had become apparent that the marriage was in fact legal, the calls had stopped.

The final communication she had received had been from her father's lawyer in which she was informed that she had been legally disowned with all that entailed. While the knowledge had torn at her deep within, part of her had sighed with relief. No longer was she of any value to her father, an a.s.set to be bartered to improve his business.

Chapter Three.

Daryle had shone in his new position, quickly rising to be partner having agreed to take the position as a fellow to start. This had been a relief as now Grace was penniless and he had born both the cost of housing them and also for her university fees. Grace had painstakingly logged every expense determined in the future to repay every penny, Daryle shaking his head at her insistence.

"Grace you gave up a lot to get where you are and I would never be in this job if it were not for you"

However, pride had made her determined to one day repay him. She had enrolled in one of the local universities which offered a world-renowned marine biology course, quickly excelling in her field with her pa.s.sion and apt.i.tude for the subject.

Over the next six years she had achieved her qualifications, finally leaving with a doctorate in her chosen career having enjoyed summers as a research a.s.sistant on numerous and challenging projects which had given her the opportunity to explore much of the world's top sights. While she had been offered a teaching role at the university, she had chosen instead to join an organisation specialising in the protection of endangered marine life, the subject of her doctoral thesis.

Daryle had by this time left his company to start his own business, a success from the moment his doors had opened. He had also at the same time two years previously met Conner, the two becoming inseparable, Conner while initially confused by the arrangement coming to be a great friend of Grace's. Soon he had moved into their large apartment, the three living together happily, with Grace often being away.

When after a year together, the two had come to her both so nervous she had instantly known the problem smiling gently at them.

"You want a divorce don't you Daryle?" he looking so uncomfortable as he had spluttered that he still loved her, but it was time that he and Conner made more of a commitment to each other, as with a smile she had thrown her arms around them both.

"Of course I will divorce you" her happy smile making them all start to cry as she had wished them happiness. The divorce itself had been a mere formality, Grace refusing to take anything from the marriage even though Daryle had wanted to buy her a flat. Hugging him she had repeated that she owed him more than she could ever repay, and that she would not be staying in one place long enough.

After a year of being out of her family home, her mother had reached out, Grace so happy to hear from the one parent she missed. For the next five years the two had contacted each other secretly, Grace's mother knowing how furious her father would be if he found out. She had been delighted to find how her daughter had excelled in her chosen path, but saddened when hearing of the divorce. Grace had spared her the details, not wanting her to know what a sham the marriage that had torn their family apart had been.

Often over the years she had followed the meteoric career of the man who would have been her husband, most of which was gleaned from the gossip and social columns. Over the years he had grown even more handsome, Grace giving a half-smile not having realised that it was possible, the memory of the night they had so nearly made love haunting her still.

While many had tried to turn her head, having a wedding ring had been the ultimate deterrent for most and the perfect excuse for the rest. She had kept her divorce quiet, still wearing her gold band and keeping Daryle's name. With a small content smile she had known that all in all at 25 years old she was content.

Her first solo project had been unexpected and shocking to Grace, her eyes reading the doc.u.ment with horror. Looking warily at her manager she had cleared her throat nervously.

"Damian...is there possibly another project that I could be involved with?"

The man across from her had frowned in surprise "Sorry Grace...no...I thought that you would be over the moon" as his voice had become more wary and concerned "This project had funding already...and to be honest it was based on your being the lead given your background and specialty"

Feeling the unease deep within her stomach her eyebrows had been drawn together in concentration.

"I ... I see" Grace knowing how vital research money was for the continued work they did.

"Is there a problem?" the kindly man had asked gently, Grace giving him a small smile which had not reached her eyes, shaking her head softly.

"No...no it's fine" before she had risen and left the room.

With only four hundred breeding pairs of monk seals in existence the sizable grant had been to find out what environmental factors made for a more secure habitat for the endangered species. Grace had known that she and her team would be required to visit all the known spots, her heart sinking with the knowledge of exactly where one of those areas was, her mind once more returning to a cliff-side and the feel of strong arms holding her. Muttering softly under her breath she had wondered why once more these thoughts seemed to be coming to her more often these days.

Over the next couple of months she had spent a considerable time gaining approval for the research team's visit. Thankful that the areas involved were mostly stable, the only exception being Libya where with some real negotiations she had finally been able to obtain permission to visit the breeding ground. The only privately owned island with the animals had been that of Alexos Manetas and she had sent him a letter requesting permission, signing it Dr G Dionis. When a letter of acceptance welcoming the team had been received she had been filled with both relief and anxiety, not sure if he had realised who she was.

So it was eight months after her initial contact with Alexos, she had once more found herself on the island she had so briefly visited so many years ago. The team of four had rented a boat to live on, the two women and men having to share the basic two bedrooms, all used to 'roughing it' as part of the job. The boat also doubled as a base for dives, Grace happy not to have to be on the actual island itself for too long.

The team had already completed all but one area of the project, that being Libya after communications and negotiations had once more broken down, Grace still working on re-establis.h.i.+ng the agreement she had been given at the start. The decision had been taken that the team would have a month's holiday after finis.h.i.+ng on the island, Grace relieved to find with a few simple Google searches that the owner of the island was not in residence. For over a week they had taken measurements and tagged the animals, Grace never tiring of the water or the bulky creatures which would become so graceful in the water.

After one such dive she had pulled off her fins, moving back up the beach, surprised to see Carol, her research a.s.sistant talking to a tall man. With the sun behind him Grace had been unable to make out the figure as slowly she had moved towards the pair. Pulling her face mask and snorkel from herself she had smiled welcomingly as she had heard Carol's voice.

"Oh Mr Manetas...here comes Dr Dionis now", Grace coming to an abrupt stop as realisation had hit her as to who exactly the man was, panic and fear thudding through every part of her as the smile had dropped from her lips. She had heard the expletive from him as he too had turned and come face to face with the woman who had so callously and publically abandoned him so many years ago.

"Grace!" her name bitten out with contempt and anger. Groaning softly she had watched as with his stance becoming rigid, he had turned and began to walk quickly away from the beach. Dropping her snorkelling equipment she had thrown Carol a panicked look before running after him leaving the bemused woman wondering what had just happened.

Reaching him, she had tentatively grabbed his arm, Alexos coming to an immediate halt as he had spun around his face black with barely contained rage.

"You have one h.e.l.l of a cheek Grace"

She had looked up helplessly at the man she had once been expected to marry, her fingers pulling nervously at each other.

"I know this might be a shock" she had stuttered softly seeing as his eyes had narrowed dangerously.

"A shock? No...the shock was receiving a phone call six years ago from the lying b.i.t.c.h that had used me to get one past her family"

She had flinched at this her eyes dropping from his with shame "I had no choice Alexos...please"

Gritting his teeth he had glared down at her, a small sneer on his voice. "We all have choices Grace"

Before looking over at the rest of the group who were all now gathering to watch the scene unfold before them "I came here to invite your team to dinner...right now I am trying hard not to throw the whole d.a.m.n lot of you off my island"

With eyes suddenly so full of fear she had once more grabbed his arm, his cold black eyes drilling into hers as he had snarled for her not to touch him, Grace stepping back instantly, her eyes pleading.

"Please Alexos...this is a vital project. I swear that we will only be here till the end of the week. My team have done you no wrong nor have these animals" She had watched the indecision in him before he had given a quick nod.

"Fine. The end of the week and then you are out of here" His eyes once more scathing as they had racked over her before he had turned on his heels moving back to the small road on which his car was parked.

Turning herself Grace had felt her whole body shaking, the queasy nausea in the pit of her stomach making her suddenly so pale as the others had moved forward, real concern written all over their faces.

"You know each other?" Carol had asked in surprise her eyes wide "He is gorgeous" the others glaring back at her inappropriate comment as she had clamped her mouth closed. Moving towards the computer she had held her lips tightly shut, starting to enter data, the others looking at each other, silent signals pa.s.sing between them as they also had returned to the jobs they were doing.

Grace had tried to concentrate on the screen before her, the words swimming as tears had welled up in her eyes. He had every right to be mad at her, every right in the world, yet his contempt had stung more than she would have ever thought possible.

It also did not help that he had over the past six years matured into a stunning man, his look more sure than it had been six years previous. Where there had been fun on his features, now his look was cold and sombre he now carried himself with the air of someone used to being very much in control, Grace aware of the many stories of his ruthless business dealings.

Realising that she was no longer typing she had stamped her foot holding back the desire to scream that had filled her. She was so tired of feeling guilty. She was doing work that was valuable, work that would benefit an entire species. So what if she had not become yet another convenient wife producing heirs for their rich husbands, it was not as if he could not have found another woman to fill that role. Stopping with her internal angry tirade she had gasped. He never had. This simple truth stilled her instantly. He had never gotten married. Groaning with the realisation that what she had done must have soured him on marriage forever. No wonder he hated her, and he did hate her, the venom in both his words and eyes proving that.

Feeling the need for calm she had moved over closer to where one of the monk seals had lain basking so contentedly on a rock. Grace pulled out her sketch book as she had started to draw the gentle creature, feeling as the tension had slowly left her body.

Gunning his car back to the villa, Alexos Manetas had felt the sickening feeling of hatred at the woman on the beach. For years he had fought to put the whole incident behind him, her public rejection of him the most humiliating thing that had happened to him his whole life. His father had been so supportive, not demanding that he continue with the parties each month as he had laid more and more responsibility for the company on his son's shoulders, quickly the two finding how skilled Alexos was when it came to business.

Slamming the front door he had moved to his office barking to the housekeeper that the guests he had planned on inviting that evening would not be joining them. Sitting at his desk, his eyes had closed once more seeing Grace.

When he had received the request from Dr G Dionis to carry out research of the seals, he had no idea who she was, nor even that it was a she. He had been only too happy to give his permission knowing what important work it would be, wondering at the time if he should offer more support. With a contemptuous curl of his lip he had sworn, glaring at the blank computer screen, his brow scowling once more at the thought of the woman from the beach. Six years ago it had taken all his strength to hold back from her, not to take her to bed as every part of him had burned to do. He had thought her an innocent, but she was a deceiver, already in love with another man yet it would have taken very little for her to have slept with him. His mouth set, he had known he had regretted not enjoying her, knowing if he had he would have felt less taken in by her lies.

Running his hand across his lip he had been surprised at how little she had changed. Less gawky, her limbs more rounded and soft he realised, feeling the unexpected pang of desire as a soft s.h.i.+ver had shuddered through him. Her eyes were still the same wonderful large windows to her soul, that day full of fear and discomfort, her angelic face even flus.h.i.+ng slightly. Sitting back more thoughtfully Alexos Manetas had contemplated the team and the woman who led them. Perhaps there was time for payback his eyes hardening, she certainly deserved it.

As the sun had slowly sank into the crystal waters the team had packed up their equipment for the night. Still casting worried looks in her direction they had started to laugh and joke about that day's findings, all enjoying the many tales of the vivacious animals, so playful under water. If they noticed that she was not her usual bubbly self, they discreetly avoided saying anything, filling her silences with laughter.

About to push the small boat from the beach to row to the boat anch.o.r.ed just off sh.o.r.e, the sound of the man's voice had halted them. Grace had closed her eyes softly, not ready for another show down with the angry man of that afternoon. Straightening and turning she had waited for him to join the small group, his features polite and almost friendly as he had once more greeted Carol, his eyes lingering on Grace before thrusting out his hand to the two men.

"Forgive me for this afternoon...there are some things in life you never antic.i.p.ate"

His voice had sent a small tremor down her spine, Grace once more surprised at her reaction to this man.

"I had come to invite you to the villa for dinner, but given the hour and latest news, I hoped that you might prefer tomorrow"

With a small frown Grace had asked "What news?"

Alexos turning his eyes on her "There is a storm due tomorrow, meant to be a bad one, which is due to kick in at about three. So I wondered if you would all like to spend the night at my villa. I am sure that it will be far more pleasant than sitting it out on the open water"

The sounds of appreciation from the others had made her bite back the refusal, knowing it would seem churlish at his very generous offer, Grace seeing the gleam in his eye, knowing that he knew she had wanted nothing more than to turn him down.

"T...That is very kind of you Mr Manetas" she had managed, the forced smile plastered on her face as his lips had twitched softly, his sensual voice almost a whisper.

"Since when did we become so formal Grace?" the others looking at each other with knowing smiles.

Gritting her teeth she had held his look "Then that is very kind of you Alexos" a smile crossing his handsome features, instantly softening his look.

"Much better" his dark eyes dancing as he had bid his farewells, turning once more and disappearing into the darkness of the night. Closing her eyes with pain she had jumped into the boat, aware as the others had rowed beside her in silence. Only as they had finally said their goodnights and the two women were once more alone had Carol spun around, her face bursting with excitement.

"Ok...what is the back story with you and that gorgeous hunk of man?"

Grace shrugging noncommittally.

"Nothing...I spent a weekend at his villa once when I was younger" adding as the other woman had opened her mouth ready to demand details "There were a whole group of us and he was very sweet and took me diving"

Chuckling with a devilment in her eyes Carol had jumped into her cot "Sweet huh?" Her tone holding more innuendo than was necessary as Grace had given a heavy sigh. "Yes...just sweet...that is all and there is nothing more to it"

As the lights had been extinguished the other woman had given another small ripple of laughter "Yeah it looked like there was nothing going on between the two of you...maybe he will be more forthcoming"

Grace had grit her teeth with determination not to rise to her friend's words. That night she had slept little, the presence of Alexos Manetas so close, even though there was water between them, was unsettling. With a groan she had wondered how she would survive spending the next night under his roof.

By four the following day the forecasted storm had kicked in with an intensity that was staggering. Their equipment was safely stowed and placed within the pickup which he had sent down for them. None of the four had come prepared with formal clothing, but each had packed the best clothes they had. When the equipment had been safely locked up in an outhouse the group had been taken into the villa itself. Grace had once more enjoyed the luxurious surroundings, as her team had open-mouthed admired the opulent house.

"Wow" Carol had whispered in a hushed tone, her reservation leaving her as she had been shown into a large room complete with en-suite bathroom. Gazing dreamily at Grace she had draped herself on the soft plush bed, her eyes full of laughter "It is so soft...and cool...and bug free ..." Grace rolling her eyes and laughing as she had moved with the rest of the group as each was shown their rooms. Her room was the last, separated from the rest, Grace feeling uncomfortable at this, not sure why she should.

After showering the group had organised to meet up once more at seven when the bell for dinner would sound, all so looking forward to a meal which did not involve home caught fish. Looking at her watch it had only been five and with a grimace she had lain on the soft bed, feeling so tired.

Grace had been surprised that she had slept, and it was only the small tap on the door that had woken her from her deep sleep. Gasping, she had leapt quickly up opening the door to be greeted by the same girl she had met so many years earlier. Now older she had grinned warmly.

"Dinner is in ten minutes Dr Dionis" she had said in a hushed respectful voice" Grace giving her a warm smile back.

Quickly pulling on jeans and a clean s.h.i.+rt she had brushed her teeth and ran a brush through her long hair, once more pulling it into a controlled knot at the back of her head. With a final look at herself in the mirror, happy that she appeared suitably respectable she had moved from the room.

As the group had sat around the large dining table, Grace had deliberately chosen a seat furthest from the head of the table where Alexos had sat, so handsome and relaxed. Dressed casually like the rest of the group he had welcomed them all, kissing both Carol and Grace's hands, she trying hard not to show the tremor that had once more pa.s.sed through her at the touch of his mouth on her flesh.

The meal had been delicious, the men enjoying the steak laughing at how they would happily never have to eat another fish again. Grace quirking a small smile as she had reminded them of the two weeks that they would hopefully have to survive once they had returned from their break. Alexos had looked on in interest querying the plans, quickly discovering that after the following day they would be on break, smiling as he had congratulated himself on his timing knowing how close he had come to once more missing her, missing the opportunity to avenge himself.

As a lull in the conversation had seen the group enjoying the food, he had flicked a look at Grace. She looked rested; the sleep had done her good. When he had gone to her room earlier she had been asleep on the bed, her beautiful face so serene. He had considered waking her, extracting his revenge there and then just as she had stirred, rolling onto her side, her hand tucked so gently under her cheek. He had bent down, lifting a strand of her golden hair, a small smile fleetingly crossing her face as he had whispered her name, her lips murmuring his back. The surprise of it had made him pull back from her as frowning he had wondered if she had been awake, her stillness and deep breathing belying that thought. Telling himself that there was plenty of time and later would be better, he had once more left the room, once more surprised at the intensity of his attraction to this using, deceiving woman.

"Does your husband not mind you being away all the time Grace?"

She had felt her stomach drop at the unexpected question as Carol had laughed loudly, Dave and Peter chuckling also.

"Grace isn't married!"

Groaning she had seen the sudden frown come to his face, his eyes sharpened in interest "But you still wear a wedding ring". He had said softly, his look pointedly fixed on her hand. With another chuckle Carol had given Grace a playful look "Oh...you mean her s.h.i.+eld"

Grace now looking at her with confusion "What does that mean?" she had asked as the two men had joined in.

"If any man comes on hot and heavy with our Grace...she lifts her hand " the other adding "s.h.i.+elds up...we all call it the Star Trek manoeuvre"

Grace had stared open-mouthed at them all in surprise "I...I do not!"

A chorus of "Yes you do" making her close her mouth, Alexos watching her thoughtfully, "I see" his only comment as Grace had looked so nervous and uncomfortable.

"I am sorry to hear about your breakup" he had offered softly as she had taken a drink of the delicious wine "Please don't be...Daryle and I are still very good friends"

The others had looked at each other, never having heard much about her personal life. Grace never normally one to volunteer anything about herself. Once more they had known that there was a back story to the two that they were unaware of, Carol looking innocently at Alexos as she had asked what the others all were dying to ask "So...we hear that Grace once spent a weekend here?"

Grace had dropped her fork with a loud clatter, her fingers suddenly nervous as she had glared at Carol, Alexos however had smiled gently.

"Yes. I used to have parties here every month and Grace and her mother were guests"

Carol had smiled sweetly "That is so nice that the two of you would remember each other after such a long time"