“Kostas.” I step toward him. “Please let me explain.”
“Go home,” he demands, his eyes cold. “I’ll see you when I get there.”
“But—”
“Now, Talia,” he seethes, and I don’t dare to argue.
I nod in understanding, and on shaky feet I walk back to the limo. When I get there, I’m terrified Aris will be in there, waiting, but thankfully he’s not. The driver returns me to the hotel, and I head straight back to our villa to wait for Kostas. The entire time I’m waiting for him, I pace the room. Back and forth. Rehearsing what I’m going to say. How I will explain. I’m not sure if he saw Aris grab my butt, or if he just saw what looked like we were holding hands. If he didn’t see him grab my butt, I don’t want to tattle on Aris. Based on the shit he was word vomiting, he’s either seriously delusional or scarily cunning. Either way, the last thing I need is to fuel whatever is motivating him.
An hour later, the door clicks open and in walks Kostas. I stand frozen in place, waiting for him to speak first. His tie is now unknotted, the top several buttons undone, and his hair looks disheveled as if he was running his fingers through it in irritation.
His eyes meet mine, and I look to see which man I’m dealing with. Warm. Sad. Soft. I take in a breath of relief. I can deal with this man. He will see reason.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” Kostas says, cupping my cheeks with his hands. My features must convey my confusion over his apology because he adds, “Aris explained that he was only asking if you were okay.” He told Kostas he was seeing if I’m okay? What the hell is Aris playing at? “He seems very concerned about you almost being taken.” I search his eyes to see if there’s any hint of disbelief in them, yet I don’t find anything but worry. Wow, Aris is fucking good. And that seriously worries me.
“I shouldn’t have punched him,” Kostas grumbles. “At least not at our mother’s funeral. But as I told him, I don’t care what the reason is, he never has the right to touch you in any way. He’s lucky the only thing he was doing was holding your hand.” His lips descend on mine and he kisses me deeply. “You’re mine, moró mou. Only mine to touch.”
He releases my face and steps around me. “My father was supposed to head over to the other side of the island to handle some business, but because he’s out of commission, he’s asked me to go. The business will probably take a week.” I follow him into our bedroom as he pulls out some luggage from the closet and sets it on the bed.
“You’re leaving?” My heart begins to race, and my head goes fuzzy. A heaviness in my chest weighs down on me, and I have to grab the side of the dresser to steady myself.
Kostas is leaving me here.
For a week.
Alone.
No, not alone.
With Aris.
“Kostas, you can’t leave me.” I cut across the room and grab ahold of his hand, yanking him toward me. “Please,” I choke out. “Take me with you.” Hot, wet tears fill my lids.
Kostas brows dip low. Still allowing me to hold on to his one hand, he lifts the other to wipe the liquid from my cheeks. “Calm down, moró mou. Of course you’re coming. You don’t really think I’d leave you alone again, do you?”
Kostas
The farther away we get from Agios Nikolaos, the lighter I feel. I opted to take my Range Rover versus the Maserati because after the shit that went down a few days ago, there’s no way I’d go anywhere without bringing a small arsenal with me. The hour plus drive has flown by because Talia’s mindless chatter passes time in the best possible way.
“I think I can see the ocean,” Talia says, leaning forward toward the windshield. “Where are we going again?”
“Agia Fotia Beach. And we’re close. The cliffside home I reserved is about five minutes away.”
She smiles at me. “Will you have to work right away or can we explore?”
“Work can wait until tomorrow.” I’m chasing down a lead per my father’s request. He’s certain Estevan Galanis was behind the attempt on his life. Estevan has been known to hole up in one of the hotels on Agia Fotia Beach when things heat up. I’m about to bring motherfucking hellfire to his doorstep.
She sits back and returns to looking out the window, a pleased smile on her face. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so relaxed and happy. Getting away is exactly what we both needed.
“Kostas,” she chokes out. “Someone’s following us.”
I glance in the rearview mirror to see a black SUV behind us. “It’s Adrian and a few of my men. Basil is holding down the fort back home.”