Free The Greek Billionaire's Secret Baby (Contemporary Romance) by Michele Dunaway Page A

her mouth to move.
    The doctor continued. “We don’t even have time to do an epidural—she’s going under general. Sorry, we can’t have anyone but medical personnel in the operating room during emergency surgery. You’ll need to remain in the waiting area just down the hall. I promise someone will get you immediately.”
    A different voice. “This way, Mr. Pappas. I also have some papers for you to sign. If you could follow me.”
    Lauren felt a quick kiss on her forehead.
    “I’m not leaving, Lauren. I’ll be right outside, agapi mou . Right outside. You’re going to be just fine. You won’t feel anything. You and the baby are going to be just fine, just fine.”
    He said the words again, almost as if more to convince himself of the certainty of the fact. For a moment, sound seemed to amplify in Lauren’s ears and she heard his footsteps walking away.
    “I’m ready with the general.”
    “Go ahead.”
    Panic clawed at Lauren. Oh, I’m so sorry. For everything. Don’t leave me, Alex! Don’t leave your son and me. But as her world faded fully into black, no words left her silent lips.
    *****
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
    Ever since his birth, Alex Pappas had been the responsible and dependable one in his family. His father had told Alex that he had exhibited his destiny early. As a child, Alex had stacked cans of tuna instead of blocks. He’d learned numbers before letters. The family legend said he’d discussed and solved adult business problems as young as age three.
    Alex had fully embraced all that his Greek heritage and his first-born role meant in his family. His name, Alex, which meant defender of man, fit him perfectly. Alex was a vrahas ; he was one to be depended on to always be there.
    His father labeled him a vrahas early. A vrahas was a rock at the edge of the ocean, the rock where the waves crashed against it. But this rock, this rock remained unmoved. It was imperturbable, never fazed by the constant battering of the endless sea. It withstood all battlement, all of the furies unleashed upon it.
    Not only could he withstand, but Alex Pappas was also a mover and a shaker who could get everything that needed to be done, done. He righted wrongs. He dispensed justice when warranted and oversaw retribution. He defended the weak, cared for the needy. He protected the unfortunate.
    But today he could defend nothing, protect nothing, and withstand nothing. And even worse, he cared too much about the outcome, and not just because he feared failure. For the second time in his entire world, the first being the death of his brother, there was nothing Alex could do. He was totally helpless, completely at the mercy of the men and women in green hospital scrubs who tended his…
    Alex paused as a tight fist clenched his thoughts and paralyzed them midstream. Just what was Lauren? She was no longer his girlfriend or mistress. She was no longer his brother’s. And as Theo had pointed out before the ambulance had pulled away from the courthouse curb, Lauren wasn’t Alex’s wife.
    That core mistake had Alex physically shaking his head to clear his wayward thoughts. A strand of his dark hair dared to fall into his face and, with a firm left hand, Alex impatiently pushed it back. He didn’t know how to classify Lauren.
    He cared for her. Her collapse today had proved that much. His heart had raced and panic had rooted itself deep in his soul, and it wasn’t just fear for the baby’s survival. He cared about Lauren too. She remained deeply rooted under his skin.
    He could not let her become his weakness. Too much depended on him remaining strong. He had to stop the Favazzas from stealing market share. Someone was still scooping up Pappas Foods stock. The uncles were grumbling. 
    Lauren couldn’t become a distraction. He had to keep her delegated to the box in his life he’d created for her. He would marry her, desire her physically, and have her body.
    But he could not let himself love her. Never again.