Chapter 21
21
A urelia’s throat tightened. She wanted to cry, to scream, to tell Michalis how much she wanted to stay, but the dangers of his world loomed like an ever growing shadow.
The walk to the ballroom was quiet, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. Michalis’s hand came to rest lightly on the small of Aurelia’s back, his touch grounding her as they approached the grand doors. His presence at her side was a double-edged sword—it reassured her but also reminded her of the world––the shackles––she was stepping into as the wife of the head of the Giannopoulos family.
When the doors opened, the light and energy of the ballroom enveloped them. Aurelia straightened her shoulders, fighting to stay afloat under the pressure, her fingers twisting the diamond on her finger as she adjusted her posture. Michalis’s gaze rested on her like physical weight, a subtle reminder that he was always there.
The grand ballroom and gardens of the Giannopoulos estate were a glittering spectacle. Crystal chandeliers cascaded light across the room, catching on the gold accents of the towering Grecian columns and reflecting off the polished marble floors. The hum of polite conversation mingled with the delicate strains of a string quartet tucked into a corner, their music rising and falling like the tide. Waiters in immaculate uniforms glided between clusters of well-dressed guests, balancing trays laden with champagne flutes and hors d'oeuvres.
Aurelia stepped into the room on Michalis’s arm, and the air seemed to shift. Heads turned, conversations faltered, and admiring gazes swept over her. Her champagne-colored gown shimmered under the lights, clinging to her curves with elegant precision. The soft chignon she’d pinned earlier had loosened slightly, allowing tendrils of dark hair to frame her face, giving her an ethereal quality. The effect wasn’t lost on Michalis, whose hand rested possessively on the small of her back.
“You’re more stunning every time I look at you,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine.
She smiled faintly, though her stomach twisted with dread. Every step brought her closer to David, closer to her plan. She glanced up at Michalis. His tuxedo fit him to perfection, the sharp lines of the black jacket emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean frame. The snowy white of his shirt provided a striking contrast to his olive skin, and his electric blue eyes scanned the room with quiet authority. He looked every inch the powerful man he was—a man no one dared to cross.
“I should be saying the same about you,” she replied softly, earning a rare, genuine smile from him.
As they made their way through the crowd, Michalis’s grip on her waist tightened slightly, a subtle reminder of his protective nature. He guided her effortlessly, pausing to greet key figures and exchanging pleasantries with associates. Aurelia played her part, smiling and nodding as introductions were made. Her hand rested lightly on his arm, a poised contrast to the storm of emotions roiling inside her.
Her heart skipped when she finally spotted David near the entrance. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his sandy blond hair neatly combed back. He wore a tailored navy suit that accentuated his lean frame, his boyish smile lighting up his face. But it wasn’t David that drew Aurelia’s attention—it was the striking woman on his arm. The woman was tall and willowy, her sleek black gown plunging low in the back and glittering with a thousand tiny sequins. Her blonde hair was swept into a high bun, revealing elegant cheekbones and a pair of diamond earrings that sparkled like stars.
David’s gaze swept the room, landing on Aurelia with unmistakable intent. He excused himself from a small group of guests and crossed the room with the blonde trailing behind him.
“Aurelia,” David said warmly, pulling her into a brief hug. “You look incredible.”
“David,” she replied, forcing a smile. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” He stepped back, his eyes flicking briefly to Michalis, then the woman next to him, before landing on her again. “This is my cousin, Tanya Morrow. When she heard I’d been invited by Mrs. Giannopoulos herself, she insisted on coming as my plus-one. I hope you don’t mind, Auri?”
“Of course not. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Morrow.”
Looking at Michalis, Tanya smiled coyly, “Well, I must say, the pleasure is all mine.” Her gaze shifted to Aurelia. “I know David was hoping to catch up with you, but don’t worry, I’ll take good care of your husband while you’re with him.”
Aurelia smiled stiffly. “Everyone wants time with my husband. I’m afraid you may find yourself standing in a long line.”
“Enjoy the party.” Michalis’s expression remained unreadable, though the tension in his body was palpable. He didn’t miss the way David’s gaze lingered on Aurelia, nor the faint smirk that tugged at his lips when he spoke. Michalis’s hand slid from Aurelia’s back to her waist, his grip firm as he steered her toward another group of guests without another word.
The next hour passed in a blur of polite conversations and veiled glances. Aurelia struggled to focus, her mind racing with plans and possibilities. Michalis was ever-present at her side, his presence a steady anchor amid the chaos of her thoughts. When a waiter offered her a champagne flute, Michalis intercepted it smoothly, his voice cutting through the exchange.
“She’ll have juice,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The waiter nodded, disappearing into the crowd.
Aurelia’s cheeks flushed as she looked up at him. “That wasn’t necessary. I can speak for myself.”
“Don’t start arguing,” he said simply, his voice softening. “I’m not letting you drink.”
Before she could respond, the blonde at David’s side, Tanya, materialized beside them, her lips curving into a practiced smile. “How thoughtful,” she purred, her voice dripping with charm. “But don’t you think you’re being a bit overprotective?” Turning her attention to Aurelia, her smile as false as a three dollar bill, she smirked, “You’re not a child. Are you?”
Aurelia stiffened, heat rising to her cheeks as the woman blatantly insulted her. Her fingers curled instinctively around his arm, her grip tightening.
Michalis arched a brow, his expression cool, but said nothing.
The woman’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, leaning in slightly, her hand on Michalis’s forearm, as if to share a secret. “It’s rare to see a man so devoted.” She cast a sidelong glance at Aurelia that was anything but complimentary.
Aurelia’s pulse quickened, a mix of anger and jealousy surging through her. She stepped forward, placing herself firmly between the woman and Michalis. “Yes, I am exceptionally lucky,” she said, her voice steady despite the fire burning in her chest. “Michalis is a wonderful husband.” She reached back, pulling his hands around her to rest on her stomach. “And a wonderful father-to-be.”
The woman’s eyes widened briefly before narrowing in irritation. “I see,” she said, her smile now brittle. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Aurelia said sweetly, tilting her head. “It was lovely meeting you, but if you’ll excuse us, I’d like to spend a little more time with my husband before the night gets away from us.”
She pulled Michalis behind her to the dance floor.
Michalis chuckled softly, the sound vibrating against her back. He leaned down, wrapping his arms around her, his lips brushing her ear as they swayed to the music. “If I’d known getting you pregnant would make you so possessive, I would’ve tried harder to make it happen sooner.”
Aurelia’s cheeks burned, but she didn’t pull away, instead looking directly at the woman with a smirk of her own. “I don’t see how you could have; you’ve been very attentive, Mr. Giannopoulos.” She turned her attention back to Michalis, and for the rest of the dance, lay her head on his chest and closed her eyes, focused on making memories.
After two more songs, she pulled back ever so slightly, her heart breaking. “I’m tired. I think I’d like to go upstairs.”
He looked down at her, concern flickering across his features. “Of course,” he said, brushing a hand over her cheek. “I’ll come with you.”
“No. You should stay. I can make it up a few stairs on my own. You should keep an eye on our guests.”
“I don’t care about them. I care about my wife.”
She placed her hand on his cheek, barely holding her tears in check. “I know, and I love you for it, but I’ll be fine. I promise.”
He froze. “You love me?”
A single tear slid down her cheek, but she forced a laugh. “Always. Now go and attend to our guests before they all pull out their guns and start shooting each other.”
He gave a sharp laugh. “Bonetti is here. People are on edge.”
“Exactly. So, go. I’ll be fine.”
He gave her a long, lingering kiss. “I am yours to command, agápe mou . I’ll check on you soon.”
She nodded, her heart aching as he walked away.
The tension in the grand ballroom was palpable as Michalis tracked David across the room. His sharp blue eyes followed David’s every move—the easy grin, the confident air, the casual way he sipped bourbon as though he had nothing to hide. But Michalis knew better.
Enough games.
He motioned discreetly to Ajax, the guard’s broad frame blending into the crowd with practiced ease. Michalis leaned in, his voice a low growl. “Escort David Morrow to the basement. Quietly. No one notices.”
Ajax nodded, slipping away without a word. Michalis adjusted his cufflinks, forcing himself to maintain an air of calm. Across the room, he watched Ajax approach David and speak in a low voice. David hesitated, his grin faltering, but with a practiced shrug, he set his drink down and allowed himself to be led toward the side door.
Michalis waited a beat, ensuring no one was watching, before making his way out. The corridor to the basement was dimly lit and cool, the faint tang of cleaning agents lingering in the air. The farther he descended, the more the muffled hum of the party faded, replaced by the low thrum of industrial fans.
When he entered the basement, David stood in the center of the concrete room, his arms crossed and his posture defiant. Ajax and Elias flanked the doorway, their stoic expressions masking the tension radiating from their bodies. A single overhead bulb swung slightly, casting shifting shadows over the rough walls.
David’s smile was tight as Michalis approached. “What’s this? The grand tour of the dungeon? You do love your theatrics.”
Michalis closed the door behind him with deliberate precision, the echo of the latch clicking into place amplifying the tension in the room. He stepped closer, his imposing frame cutting through the air like a blade. “This is about Aurelia,” Michalis said evenly, his voice low and controlled. “And your ties to Victor Khomenko.”
David’s posture stiffened slightly, but he quickly masked it with a scoff. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Michalis let out a dark laugh, slow and deliberate. “Don’t insult my intelligence. I know everything, David. I know about Maria Dobrevna.”
David blinked, the name clearly catching him off guard, but he quickly recovered, his smirk returning. “She’s a housekeeper. I have several.”
“She’s not a housekeeper,” Michalis snapped, his voice a sharp crack in the cold room. “A Romanian national tied to Khomenko. She’s worked in your household for years, funneling information and laundering money through your accounts.”
David’s smirk faltered, but he lifted his chin. “You’ve got no proof.”
“I’m not the police. I don’t need proof,” Michalis said, stepping closer. His voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried the weight of a death sentence. “The evidence, however, is there. Wire transfers from Khomenko’s accounts. Meetings logged in her schedule that coincide perfectly with your trips to Europe. And that’s just the start.”
David’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond.
“You’ve been working with him for years,” Michalis continued, his voice cold and steady. “You’ve helped him secure properties, launder money, and expand his influence. And now you’re here, trying to meddle in my marriage.”
David sneered. “I don’t give a damn about your fictitious marriage, Michalis.”
“No?” Michalis’s eyes narrowed. “Then let me tell you why Victor does. He doesn’t just want Aurelia because she’s his daughter. He promised her to one of his men—whoever can bring her back to the fold, as it were––as a reward for finding her. That wouldn’t be you, now, would it?”
David’s mask of confidence cracked, his lips pulling into a tight line.
Michalis stepped closer, his broad shoulders casting a long shadow over David. “You can tell Victor he’s too late. Aurelia is my wife. She’s already pregnant with our first child.”
David’s eyes flashed with anger. “Do you really think that matters? You think he cares about your little wedding ceremony or her condition?” His tone turned venomous. “Marriages can be annulled. Pregnancies can be ended.”
The words hit Michalis like a slap, igniting a wildfire of rage in his chest. Before David could blink, Michalis’s fist connected with his jaw with a sickening crack. David stumbled back, crashing into the wall, clutching his face, his eye already swelling.
Michalis loomed over him, his voice like ice. “You ever talk about my wife and child like that again, and I will put you in the ground. The only reason you’re not dead already is because Aurelia doesn’t recognize you as the piece of shit you are and might object.”
David straightened, his breath coming in harsh gasps, but his smirk returned, now tinged with blood. “You can’t protect her forever. Victor is coming for her. And when he does, you’ll regret crossing him.”
Michalis’s voice was deadly calm. “If he comes within a hundred miles of her, I’ll make sure it’s the last thing he ever does.”
David chuckled darkly, wiping blood from his lip. “You really think you’re in control here, don’t you? Victor has plans, Michalis. And soon, you’ll have no say in the matter.”
Michalis stepped closer, his voice dropping to a growl. “Give Victor a warning. The only one he’s going to get. Stay away from Aurelia. Or die.”
David’s smirk slipped, replaced by a flicker of unease, but he quickly masked it with bravado. “We’ll see.”
Michalis glanced at Ajax. “I have to get back to my guests. Take him out the back. Collect Ms. Morrow and bring their car around. They’re leaving.”
Ajax grabbed David by the arm, hauling him toward the stairs. David glanced back over his shoulder, his smirk firmly in place. “This isn’t over, Michalis.”