“You’re too smart to believe that bullshit. You may not have any intention of marrying Nyx Mykos, but I guarantee you’re going to end up in bed within the next month. And that’s where the consequences are going to fuck you up.”
“Let me repeat, there aren’t going to be any consequences. After all, she is my fiancée. And that puts us in an exclusive club for the next twelve months. And membership has its privileges.”
“You’re going to fuck this up royally.”
“My gut says she isn’t as innocent as all of you believe. She can handle me. While I go negotiate with my fiancée, I want you to keep digging. We leave Monday morning. You have three days.”
4
Nyx
I entered Epieikeia,the Greek-inspired cafe known for its sweet pastries, around six forty-five with Tony and two of my security detail close behind me. My stomach churned as I steeled myself for any and every outcome of my meeting with Simon Drakos, including the dreaded prospect I’d have to marry him and return to New York.
And lose my freedom.
“Ms. Mykos, I have your table ready,” Jesse, the hostess, informed me as I approached. “We’ve placed you in the private dining area, and as per your request, outside of your server, no one will disturb you.”
“Thank you so much for arranging this.”
Jesse smiled as she led me to my corner of the restaurant. “It’s the least I could do for helping me out with my botany classes.”
Once I was seated and Jesse left, Tony leaned forward, took my hand, and placed a small disk in my palm.
“We will wait by the bar for you. Just give us the signal and I’ll come get you. I don’t give a shit who he is. You want out, I’ll get you out.”
It was the emergency alert connected to his phone designed to signal I was ready to leave a place without causing a scene. Tony never took any chances with my safety, no matter who I met, friend or foe. And in his eyes, Simon Drakos qualified as foe.
“He’s my fiancé. Technically, we aren’t supposed to be anywhere near each other until the official engagement. He isn’t going to do anything that will cause a problem.”
“If you believe that line of bullshit, I have a bridge to sell you, Silent Night.”
I narrowed my eyes, understanding his reminder that my underground club activities were at stake if things went south with my hopefully temporary fiancé.
“Speaking of Silent Night. Have the invitations gone out?”
“Yes.”
“Affirmatives?
“All but one.”
“Who?”
“The same one, as usual.”
My lips curved up at the corners. “He just wants the invite. I think if he ever showed up, half the room would pee themselves.”
“Only you would think of him as a sweet grandfather type.”
I lifted a brow. “People say the same thing about Papa and my brothers. I’m not blind to who they are. I just accept them.”
“But they sure are blind to who you are.”
I shrugged. “That’s why I need this to work. Once this year is out, I can explain everything. Make them understand that I don’t ever want to go back.”
“Then for your sake, let’s hope Simon Drakos doesn’t live up to the asshole reputation he’s known for.”
“Did you really have to say that?”