My jaw goes slack, surprise stunning me. Somehow I manage to walk, my heartbeat speeding up.
My heart?
Did he really just call me that?
My insides flutter, and I start to feel even more nervous. Not in a bad way. It’s more like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, not sure whether Nikolas will bother catching me should I jump.
He said he cares about you.
He hasn’t been as aggressive as when you first met.
Girl, the man treats you like a queen.
Maybe it won’t be the worst thing to fall in love with him. I mean, we’re married.
Still, giving my heart to Nikolas is a huge risk. He can crush it in his fist or treasure it. God only knows what he’ll do with it.
After climbing into the back of the SUV, Nikolas leans over to fasten my seatbelt and presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth before settling back against the seat.
I grip my clutch tighter, trying to focus on the night ahead. It’s Athena’s birthday party and the first time Nikolas and I will make an appearance as a married couple.
“What’s expected of me?” I ask so I don’t screw things up.
“What do you mean?” He turns his gaze to me while reaching for my hand. The moment he pries my fingers away from my purse, he links his with mine.
“Do you expect me to stick to your side? Should I mingle?” I make an awkward face. “Not that I know how to mingle.”
Lifting my hand, Nikolas presses a tender kiss to the back of it. “It’s a party, Tess. Enjoy yourself. Lavish Athina with attention. She’ll love that.”
“Okay.” That I can do.
Loukas brings the SUV to a stop, and I look at all the lights shining on the Stathoulis’ estate. It makes the mansion look more impressive than ever. As we step out of the vehicle, we follow the red carpet into the entrance hall.
“Wow, they went full out,” I murmur, admiring the royal blue and gold décor.
“Remember, my father will expect you to call him mpampà,” Nikolas informs me.
That’s not going to be awkward at all. The last time I uttered those words, my dad was alive.
With my hand in Nikolas’ tight grip, we walk into the entertainment room, where classical music fills the air and people are already gathered.
A burst of sharp laughter sends an apprehensive shiver racing down my spine, and instinctively my muscles tense. Wildly my eyes dart around until I find her.
Irene. My cousin.
No.
What is she doing here? I thought she extended her trip to Europe after she couldn’t make it to my and Nikolas’ wedding.
A fearful hand grips my chest as the past threatens to resurface.
Not tonight.
Shit.
With my gaze locked on my worst nightmare, my breathing starts to speed up, the walls closing in on me.
‘I’ll cut out your tongue…’
“What’s wrong?” Nikolas asks, tugging me to a stop and turning me to face him.
Somehow I manage to force a smile to my tight lips. “Nothing. Just a lot of people.”
He leans into me, and when his lips brush against my forehead, I suck in a deep breath of him, trying to siphon off some of his strength so I can get through tonight.
It’s one thing having dealt with my past, but coming face to face with the monster responsible for my trauma is the last thing I expected tonight.
God, I haven’t seen her in two years, and they’ve been blissful. Why couldn’t she just stay away?
Irene’s high-pitch laugh sounds closer, and I can’t stop myself from moving as close to Nikolas as I can get.
Please don’t let her notice me. Please. Please. Please.
My mind races with ways to get out of the predicament, but before I can come up with a solid plan, I hear, “Well, if it isn’t Theresa.”
No.
God.
My stomach becomes a hard knot of nerves. Unable to smile, because it’s taking everything I have to turn around and face her, my heart hammers against my ribs. When I lift my eyes to Irene’s, who’s easily a head taller than me, and twice my size, my mouth dries right up.
‘Tell your mom, and I’ll cut out your lying tongue and feed it to the dog across the road. I dare you.’ Her fingers tighten around my neck until it’s hard to breathe. ‘Even better. I’ll break your neck. Dead bitches can’t snitch.’
Breathe, Tess. Breathe.
“Sorry I couldn’t make your wedding. It was such short notice,” Irene says snidely. Then she turns her attention to Nikolas, and a seductive smile spreads over her hateful face. “Nikolas, I hope you’ve been well.”
He hardly looks at her, glancing at the other guests before looking down at me. He must feel the trembling in my hand because a frown forms on his forehead, his eyes narrowing on me before they flick to Irene. “Refresh my memory. Who are you?”