Page 7 of His Surprise Fiancée

“I did knock Stef,” Demetrius said as his eyes roamed over her body. “Are you going to introduce me to the woman you’re spending time with rather than working?”

“Formal introductions aren’t necessary,” Stefano said standing, bringing her with him as he turned them to face his brother. “You remember Hailey, don’t you?”

“Hailey Michaels?” Demetrius said incredulously as his eyes grew wide taking in the changes in her body the last few years. A new smile slipped onto his lips and Hailey understood Stefano’s warning quite well. The younger man would do anything to win it seemed, especially when her attention used to be riveted on him. “You look stunning, beautiful, but what on earth are you doing kissing my brother rather than me?”

“You would do well to hold your tongue Demetrius,” Stefano stated stepping behind Hailey letting his hand slide possessively around her waist, pulling her back against his body.

The heat of his back warmed her body and she slid her hand to rest on top of his, letting the ring glitter as it picked up the sunlight from the windows. Demetrius’ gaze slid down to it and she saw his eyes tighten, anger burning through them with a devious look behind it that reminded her of Kyra now that her ‘rosy shades’ were off when it came to the man. She leaned further against Stefano and he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her hair letting his hand dip down to her hip to rest with a squeeze.

“What is this?” Demetrius questioned looking from the ring to her to Stefano.

“I think you know quite well what this is Demetrius,” Stefano said easily with a smile as he lifted her hand to press a kiss onto the back of it before proffering it towards him. “I don’t think anything’s ever fit as perfectly do you,pethi mou?”

“It doesn’t feel it, no,” she agreed giving him a grin that had Demetrius’ spine stiffening. “I hear congratulations are also directed your way Demetrius.”

“Yes, they are,” he said flatly with a glare at Stefano. “Mother did not say anything about you finally choosing a wife.”

“Mother doesn’t know yet. We plan to head to the Cove this coming weekend to surprise them, so please do not spoil it for us,” he said, the words a request but the tone a clear order to even her ears. “Little did I know when I sought out the company that I would find Hailey, or that she would have grown into such a delightful woman who stole my heart completely. Last I saw her was likely at Kyra’s birthday party, almost seven years ago.”

“Well, then please accept my warmest congratulations,” Demetrius said but Hailey knew quite clearly that the words were lies. He wasn’t happy with the turn of events and it made her wonder what would have happened had they not presented this front to him.

“Thank you,” Hailey said leaving a smile on her lips even as he stepped towards them.

“Oh, you know that’s not how we congratulate in this family.” He laughed reaching out for her shoulders to kiss her.

“It is this time Demetrius,” Stefano said, moving quickly to keep her from his touch. “Hailey’s lips are reserved for me and me alone. A handshake will suffice.”

“Being controlling already are you Stefano? Now why would that be?” Demetrius questioned as he slid his hand into hers letting his fingers graze her wrist. It did nothing for her but the look in his eyes said he was sure it did, and she pulled it from his as she turned to rest it against Stefano’s chest.

“It’s not controlling, it’s protecting, loving,” she replied knowing it would infuriate Demetrius and it was enjoyable to see him on the other side of the equation. Perhaps it would make up for part of her humiliation from when she was younger.

“I know my brother quite well, Hailey, loving is the last thing he is, especially when it comes to his women. Speaking of which, where is the ever-lovely Athena headed? It appears she’s training a replacement out there,” Demetrius stated trying to upset her she could tell but it wouldn’t work.

“Yes, Athena is going back to Greece to become Hector’s assistant. Xavier will take over her duties,” Stefano replied, and she could see the questions that popped into Demetrius’ eyes at that knowledge.

“And why would you be replacing her with a man, unless Hailey’s learnt of your past liaisons with your assistants and insisted upon it. I’m afraid that won’t work to stop what’s in Stefano’s nature from reappearing beautiful, now I on the other hand…”

“Will be buried in work if you upset my fiancée,” Stefano warned him. “Athena is returning to Greece due to her treatment of the woman I love. Do not think that because we share blood that I will side with you over her, that’s the American in me who will do whatever necessary to protect that which is mine,” he added, and Demetrius pulled back his antagonism.

“See, there’s that controlling part again Hailey,” he tried, and she slid her hand up to rest over Stefano’s heart as she smiled.

“Nothing controlling in that, I am his,” she stated looking up at Stefano to perpetrate the ruse, “just as I know he is mine, isn’t that right, my love?”

“Never truer,” he agreed honestly, letting his full feelings for her out in the moment as he gazed down into her eyes. He lifted a hand to her chin, tipping her head up towards him and covered her lips in a lingering kiss. He slid his free hand down to the curve of her back, pulling her closer to him and let it continue until he heard his brother clearing his voice in annoyance. He pressed a kiss onto her nose pulling a soft laugh from her, a real one he knew, and returned her smile, “I must get back to work now,pethi mou. Dinner tonight?”

“You’d better be having dinner with me tonight,” she teased as he released her to walk to the door. “Demetrius, it was good to see you again. I can’t wait to meet your fiancée. Stefano says she’s a dear.”

“I dare say if you’re going to the Cove you will see her this weekend,” he replied watching her walk out, then turned back to Stefano shaking his head at him. “What the hell is this?”

“What?” he said knowing precisely what his brother meant.

“You’re now going after my leftovers on top of forcing me to marry Olympia? Although, I certainly understand the urge to take Hailey to bed again. She’s grown to be quite delightful, hasn’t she?”

“Listen and listen well, little brother,” Stefano said letting his eyes darken in anger at what he’d seen from him towards Hailey. “You will be courteous and respectful towards her and if you so much as step over a line from being brotherly to anything more, brother of mine or not, you will follow your father’s footsteps and be out of a company, is that understood? Hailey and I will be getting married, and as far as your attempt to claim that she is your ‘leftover’ we both know that statement is false. Hailey never shared your bed, and do you know howIknow that? Because she was as pure as an untouched lily when she came to my bed. You may have played with her feelings when she was younger, but she was never yours, I saw to that.”

“What does that mean?” Demetrius demanded as angry color rose into his face at the knowledge that Hailey had given him her virginity. It might not be true yet, but it would be on their wedding night, as long as he could last until then that was.

“It means when I came home that spring for a visit, I saw how you treated her, and I was furious. You treated her as though she were simply a body you wanted to play with, and I was not about to let that happen. I stopped her from making the mistake of believing in you and I showed her what you truly were. Her attentions left you quickly did they not, Demetrius? That was me stopping her because she was meant to be mine, and I will not allow you to make false claims about her now.”

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