Galen and Costa went way back.
Leo Arati too.
While they might all be successful now, in their own rights, it hadn’t always been so. They shared a past only those who came from Anapliró could understand.
Conform or suffer—that had been the unvoiced motto of Anapliró.
All three, in their various ways, had refused the former and endured the latter. If you weren’t one of the bullies or one of the popular crowd...if you were in any way different...then your life was made hell.
Costa’s father had left when Yolanda had fallen ill, and his parents’ had been the island’s first divorce.
Leo had suffered dreadfully—ostensibly for being tiny, but really for his effeminate ways.
And Galen, well...
They were unlikely friends, perhaps, but friends all the same, and that mattered.
‘You know I’ll be there...’ Galen said, and there was another clink of glasses—and a smile—as his brain asked,What the hell?‘I’ll message Kristina now...sort out...’ He halted. Usually he would fire his PA messages at all hours, and yet, despite appearances, hewasmindful that her due date was nearing.
‘It’s all done.’ Costa waved him away. ‘Flights and everything. London’s booked and you’ve got the Temple Suite on Anapliró—it’s amazing...the best on the retreat.’
‘Shouldn’t that go to the bride and groom?’ Galen frowned.
‘My villa’s actually better.’ He grinned and topped up Galen’s glass.
‘Of course it is.’
‘I’ve put Leo and Deacon down for the bridal suite.’
‘I’m sure that will be appreciated.’
‘Hey, why not stay on for a few days...?’
‘I shan’t be joining you on your honeymoon, Costa.’
‘I wasn’t inviting you to, but it’s been years since you’ve been back and—’
‘There’s nothing there for me now, and no reason to return,’ Galen abruptly cut in. ‘Your wedding is the exception.’
A very inconvenient exception at that!
The moment Costa left Galen began firing urgent messages to Joe and his development team, telling them to get herenow. And, despite the late hour, he sent a quick one to Kristina, asking her to pack, and also to send his usual brief to both the London hotel and the retreat, so they were prepared to his specifications.
And also, in regard to Anapliró...
Ensure a good Internet connection!
Costa had said the retreat was amazing and that it had every luxury, but Galen had grown up there after all. It had been beyond poor then.
Merda!His announcement on Saturday wasn’t just big—it had been timed for maximum impact.
Everything had been factored in...
Except for a damned wedding!