THE CHAMELEON (2 page)

As if reading his thoughts, Sakis scowled at his bodyguard and switched from English to their native language. “Cassandra’s still upset that you missed Sunday dinner. She told me to tell you that your non-excuse will only be allowed once. After that, there will be hell to pay.”

He chuckled. Stephan leaned back and crossed his legs, unbuttoning his jacket as he did so. Sakis admired his friend in front of him. Stephan had a sophisticated elegance that few people possessed so easily. Many worked hard for years to make it seem natural. For Stephan, Sakis knew that was who he was and probably had been even as a child. His friend looked tired, though, and had for a long time now. Sakis had offered many times to give him extended time off, but Stephan refused. Always saying that he would when the time was right. Sakis knew that the time could be now, and he wondered how the news was going to be taken.

“You can inform Cassie that I wouldn’t dare miss next Sunday. How is Rose?”

If it was even possible, Sakis’s smile became even wider at the mention of his baby girl.

“She is the most beautiful little person ever. I can’t even remember what my life was like before she came or how I could love someone so much.” Sakis glanced quickly at Stephan shaking his head. “Hopefully I have enough love for the next child coming in seven months.”

The stunned look on Stephan’s face was priceless before quickly being replaced by another grin. “Man, you better be careful or you are going to catch up with Phil.”

Sakis shuddered, thinking of the next in line in security personnel and his ten children. “There would be no way that Cassandra would have ten. She keeps saying two, maybe three, and then she is done—unless I am ready to give birth myself, which I am not.”

“Thank God!” His head cocked to one side as Stephan contemplated what he was being told. “Is that why you called this early meeting, to tell me you will be a father again?”

Sakis’s chair squeaked as he pushed in closer to his desk. “No, actually it is not. I wanted to meet with you to talk about a trip that is coming up.”

Stephan sat straighter in his chair, switching immediately into business mode. Sakis had not traveled since his trip to Philadelphia to meet with George Havarti almost two years ago to discuss a deal to secure weapons. That was also when Cassie had come into their lives, even though Stephan could not believe that much time had passed already.

After his trip and failed negotiations with the Havarti family, new deals were made, which did not make George happy. By the time the feud was over, Andre, Sakis’s Albanian client, was dead, George Havarti was found executed in retaliation for Andre’s death, and they all had to deal with Cassie’s abduction and stabbing by Sakis’s fiancée. Stephan knew that was the pivotal moment Sakis realized that his lifestyle had to change or he would be next. Or even worse, his family would be destroyed because of him. Stephan didn’t believe that Sakis would really become a “legitimate” businessman, as his world had been too dark for so many years. Yet, they had done it. The transition had actually been easier than everyone had counted on. They definitely had those who didn’t believe the legitimacy of the changes, and to this day received inquiries on a daily basis for weapons.

Handing a folder to Stephan, Sakis continued. “Cassandra, Rose, and I will be traveling to Greece. Tony and Damalis will be joining us at some point—as soon as I know the details of their arrival, I will let you know so you can factor them into the security plan. I have decided that it is time that my wife sees my country, meet my family and they her.”

“For how long?” Stephan flipped through the folder, quickly scanning the contents. The thought of traveling usually filled him with excitement. He was shocked to realize that there was no feeling this time.

“Eight weeks. We are leaving in two.”

Stephanous shook his head disapprovingly. “Shit, Sakis, you are not giving me much time to plan on my end.”

“I have complete confidence that you will be able to pull everything together.” Sakis turned his lighter over and over in the palm of his hand.

Stephan waited patiently for him to continue, knowing from the body language that more was coming.

“I’m giving you the option of whether you travel with us or not, Stephanous.” Sakis raised his hand, halting whatever his friend was going to say. “You’ve been not only a faithful employee—top of your field, I personally believe—but honestly, my best friend, I cannot continue to watch you take care of everyone else, including me, without a thought for yourself. I want you to think about taking the eight weeks we’re gone and take a vacation yourself. I want you to come to Greece with us but not as an employee, but my friend.” Sakis let that sink in before he continued. “The other option, which I will admit was Cassie’s idea, is that you
not
travel with us, but take a private vacation away from all of us.”

Speechless, Stephan’s mind raced. His natural instinct was to think of every possible security scenario for the family. There was and always would be a price for Sakis’s head, even more so in Greece where the underworld was everywhere. At least in the States, he had control to a certain degree. Too many ghosts, literally, from the past could rise up at any time. Shaking his head, he forced himself to focus, realizing that Sakis was still speaking. He felt numb.

“I know of your concerns, which is why I need your expertise to ensure not only my safety, but more importantly, that of Cassie and Rose.” Pausing, Sakis really didn’t know what else to say, knowing that Stephan needed to process. “You can let us know at dinner on Sunday, whether or not you wish to travel with us. I hope you do. It has been a long time since you have been back home to just visit, hasn’t it?”

Greece was not his home. It was the place that he grew up, but Stephan was not going to say that aloud to Sakis. “It has.” Stephan had to get out of the room, surprised at the rising emotions that flooded through him. His chest felt tight. He needed air. Shaking Sakis’s hand while keeping his face impassive, he couldn’t believe his voice sounded so cool. “I will let you know on Sunday, definitely. Right now, I need to get to work on this.”

Sakis didn’t press any further. He knew that there really was no family to speak of for Stephanous back in Greece. He had asked him once about it. Stephan had looked incredibly uncomfortable with the question and said that there wasn’t anything to discuss. He had been orphaned when he was a baby and knew nothing about his parents. He had also requested that the subject never be brought up again.

Sakis had respected the request, but now wished as they became closer, he had pressed for more details over the years. Stephan’s job as head of security was to track and research people and events. He had the latest technology and expertise at his disposal. Sakis never spared any expense. He suspected that at some point Stephan must have done research on his past, in particular who his parents were. Sakis was curious as to what the outcome had been.

Right now, Stephan would need time, and hopefully would come to realize that he and Cassie were doing this for his benefit. They had been talking about taking a trip to Greece for a while now. It had been Cassandra who had asked when the last time was that Stephan had a break or a vacation. Sakis was embarrassed to tell his wife that he didn’t think that Stephan ever had one, choosing instead to constantly work and be available, twenty-four hours, seven days a week since the first day he started at the company. No wonder he looked tired.

CHAPTER 2

Alicia Granger felt only love as her eyes took in Stephan as he stood, leaning over the large mahogany desk, and stared at the many pieces of paper and maps spread out before him. No longer wearing his jacket, which was now draped neatly over a chair at the small conference table, his crisp white shirt was unbuttoned at his throat, tie loosened, sleeves rolled up. The gun holster was strapped around him, allowing the gun to hang under his arm. She wished he would remove it but that gun, she knew, was as much a part of him as breathing. His hair, which he had grown out to the surprise of everyone—no longer military short—had fallen on his forehead, giving him a youthful look. Stephan was model perfect with his dark Mediterranean skin, jet-black hair, and dark, brooding eyes. Even at thirty-three, he had no idea how striking he was.

Feeling a twinge, Alicia felt older than her fifty-nine years as she stared at him. Alicia had met the young man twelve years ago when, shortly after she was hired to be Sakis Carras’s assistant, he came in for an interview. She was Sakis’s first hire, somehow convincing her that she should leave her high-paying office manager job at one of the top financial companies in Boston at the time, to help him get his fledging startup company up and running. Sakis had been honest and couldn’t tell her when he would be able to pay her, but promised that if she came to work for him and if the company
was
successful, which he believed it would become, she would be compensated well. Twelve years later, she was a wealthy woman and quite frankly could have retired already but chose to stay on. She loved her job, and she loved the two Greek men. Stephan, in particular, became her favorite.

When Stephan had applied for an entry-level job in the security department, he had been honest about his lack of experience, yet there had been something in his direct eye contact, and even though clean, the threadbare suit and frayed tie that he had worn spoke of a quiet strength and even more important, honesty. Stephan had reminded Alicia of Sakis in his earnest and promise of being a hard worker. Hiring him on the spot, she never regretted the decision. Thankfully, Sakis had trusted her intuition, immediately welcoming the second hire into the company.

The first six months for the fledgling Carras Enterprises had been the roughest. Many of the newly hired employees quit during the toughest times when the payroll couldn’t be met; sometimes she and Stephanous were the only two employees left. Within one year, the company took off and the young Stephanous Petros had moved from entry level to a supervisory position. A year after that, he had become Sakis’s bodyguard and head of the security division. Alicia’s instincts were on mark. Stephan had a gift with details, almost obsessively so, and what he didn’t know, he taught himself. He trained and worked out every day to build his strength and shooting and combat skills—sometimes even with Special Forces. He’d disappear some weekends to perfect that training. Stephan, Alicia was quick to learn, also had no problem dealing with uncomfortable or dangerous situations and was available no matter the time of day. Like Alicia, Stephan could keep a secret, to death, if need be.

“Alicia? Is everything okay?”

Coming out of her thoughts, she smiled at Stephan, who looked at her, concerned. “Of course. Just wanted to let you know that I am heading home now.” Alicia chuckled when he checked his watch and his frown deepened.

“Oh, God! I am so sorry to keep you so late again.”

“My dear, you know that I only stay for as long as I want to. But, I am done for the evening and I suggest that you go home also,” she stated sternly.

Nodding, he stared down at the papers again. His fingers ran through his hair, frustrated. “I am almost finished.”

Walking around the desk to stand next to him looking at all of the work he had done, Alicia pushed them all neatly together in a pile and tapped the ends so they were perfectly aligned.

“What are you doing?”

“Stephan, I am doing you a favor and putting these away.” She handed him a thick folder. “Here is your final draft. You have every second of his day covered, including sleep. Nothing is going to happen to him or his family while they are gone.” She sat on the edge of the desk and pointed to his chair to wait for him to sit before she continued. Stephan wouldn’t make eye contact with her. “You are not going with them, are you?” she inquired softly, trying to keep the surprise out of her voice.

Shaking his head, he stared at her, finally. “No. I am not.”

“And this is why you are even more attentive to security. Now I understand, but have to tell you that I am shocked you are not going. Pleasantly, I must add!”

Something was bothering him. Alicia had never seen him like this before. When he didn’t respond, she lowered her voice. “Want to talk about it?”

Rising quickly, Stephan stared out of the tall glass windows. Boston was so beautiful at night. The lights from nearby buildings sparkled like a million stars right in front of him. God, he loved this city. The history of rebellion, fighting against tyranny seen and unseen, the opportunity always available to be what you were meant to be, resounded deep inside of him. This was his home. As much as he loved Greece’s landscape, the sun and sea, there was no one there—no one to call family.

Cassie used to talk a lot about having no one. She never went back to Vermont to visit and when he questioned her about it, whether or not she wanted to, she had shaken her head. She had said that her family was them now. He believed her, but he had also seen the slight sadness that was deep in her eyes. It was that sadness that he felt now. He knew exactly how she felt.

Stephan really wanted to tell Alicia; he wanted to say aloud what he never acknowledged to anyone before. “Spending this week preparing for the trip, Sakis’s words kept repeating over and over in my head about work. You know, Alicia, I have been working nonstop since I started here. With no complaints,” he added quickly. “I am honestly not even sure I even know how to have down time, or who I am, for that matter, besides being Stephanous the bodyguard.”

Alicia knew there was more. “And Greece?”

“I never had an issue going back when Sakis had business to attend to. The travel was very much part of my job.” Shrugging, he locked eyes with her. “To go for vacation? That I have no desire for.” Stephan hesitated before he opened up even more. “I was abandoned as a baby. Left like garbage on the steps of an orphanage. My birth mother had not even cared enough to give me a name. One of the nuns, Sister Katherine, named me Stephanous because of a unique birthmark, in the shape of a crown on my body, or so she told me, during a period of my life when I had become curious about my parents.”

Stephan held back the rest of the story, choosing not to share that when Stephan reached his teenage years, he rebelled big time, working for the underground, where he had become street wise. When he was hungry, he learned to feed himself; when faced with danger, learned to think quickly on his feet. He wanted to tell her, but couldn’t quite manage opening up every wound. “Greece is the place I was born, Alicia. Where I grew from a child into a man. My home is Boston. Here, with you, and Sakis. This opportunity to spend eight weeks free of work is a curious notion I have never even contemplated. Yes, I find myself wanting to take the time off. I want to find out who my birth parents are.”

Catching the tears that glistened behind Alicia’s eyes, Stephan grimaced, embarrassed he had shared too much. “Do not feel sorry for me, please. I am not sure why I am even sharing this all with you right now, except that maybe it is time to let some of the past go. I thought I had accepted my fate years ago. Maybe I haven’t.”

Touching Stephan’s arm gently, she patted him before she moved back to the front of the desk and slid on her jacket. Her heart broke for him. She knew he would not want to see that pain from her but she also knew she couldn’t leave him like this. He seemed so lost.

“I was unable to have children. My tears are only a reflection of regret with fate’s choices. If you had been my son, Stephan, I would be so proud of who you are and everything you have accomplished. That being said, you do not know the circumstance of your birth. There has to be more to the story of Stephanous Petros that is unsaid. Maybe this is the perfect time to figure out who you were in the past. Learn the story of where you came from, find the answers to your questions if you feel you have to, and maybe it will even make you stronger for your future. As far as Sakis and I go, we are your family and proudly so. For us, and I know I can speak for Sakis in this, the man who stands in front of me tonight is enough.”

Stephan turned back to stare out of the window, surprised that she understood so quickly, with the small amount that he told her. His throat tightened at not only her words but also the sincerity behind them. A lightness rose inside he had never felt before.

“Maybe. Good night, Alicia.”