Chapter 34
“ Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
—Martin Luther King Jr.
One week later
Valencia
The darkness was something I’d never hated before. Yet the moment the lights had gone off at Christos’ house, I’d been more afraid than I had in my life. Luca had shocked me, the man so kind when I’d told him I’d wanted to surprise Christos. He’d acted concerned at first, but I’d noticed a look in his eyes I thought was worry his boss would be angry if he followed along.
My instincts had told me otherwise. He’d made two calls, telling me he was ensuring Christos’ house was well guarded. I’d been stupid enough to believe him. Nothing else had seemed strange until I’d realized he’d taken my phone. I’d offered him a drink after thanking the bastard for arranging for Magnum to be brought to me. I’d fucking thanked him. He’d accepted my offer, leaving him alone with my purse.
Magnum had growled, the low-slung sound I’d trusted since I’d picked him up from the rescue. Yet I’d ignored it because I’d believed Christos knew his men and what they were capable of.
In the week that had passed, everyone had remained pensive, Christos helping his father and brothers in discovering additional information. Information I wasn’t privy to and didn’t want to know. Had there been nights of passion? Absolutely, and I’d wanted his arms wrapped around me. He’d saved my puppy’s life as well as mine.
Again.
However, was the love I felt for the man enough?
I heard footsteps and didn’t bother glancing toward the door. With a glass of wine in my hand and Magnum resting his head on my leg, I was more comfortable than I’d felt in days.
“You look beautiful,” Christos said as soon as he walked in.
I finally turned my head, instantly smiling at what he was wearing. Jeans and a tee shirt. He looked more handsome than normal, especially since his hair was still wet from a shower. In his hand was his iPad and he walked slowly in my direction. As soon as he sat down on the end of the couch, Magnum immediately shifted his position, wiggling that cute butt of his as he climbed onto the sensual man’s lap.
As I’d seen more than a dozen times, Christos instantly stroked my fur baby’s head while he studied me.
“What do you have there?”
He hesitated as if the news would upset me. At this point, I wasn’t certain anything could.
“Your father was true to his word. News broke this morning of sixteen arrests of prominent citizens, politicians, and even a couple of members of law enforcement.” He handed me the iPad and I skimmed the article written for the New York Times.
“That’s wonderful.”
“Yes, it is.”
I handed it back to him, not needing to read the piece in depth. It was just another reminder crime existed everywhere and in all walks of life.
“Have you talked with him?”
While I wanted to laugh, I didn’t. “Yes. He said nothing about the case, but he warned me again about being involved with you. We ended on a good note, but he will never approve and you know what? I don’t care.”
“He’s your father. It may take some time, but he’ll understand.”
“Maybe. Is your business back on track in New York?”
He nodded. “Yes, we’ll break ground on the new club in about forty-five days. There are a few new kinks to work out since several positions will need to be filled. We’ll have a shipment of diamonds arriving in two weeks.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
Given the look on his face, I sensed he wasn’t happy or content about the outcome. The fact Luca had betrayed him and had been doing so for at least several months weighed heavily on his mind. Upon a further background check, it was discovered the man had been part Albanian. “Yes, there’s a lot to be thankful for.”
The faraway look in his eyes pulled at my heartstrings. “What about the Armenian leader in New York?”
“So far, the man has yet to be arrested, but Davit Ajernian has already sent a contingency of soldiers to work with Don Coppola in providing assistance cleaning up the city.” Now he laughed, but the sound was bitter.
It seemed almost comical that the bad guys weren’t nearly as horrible as those pretending to be on the right side of the law. “Everything is coming together.”
He looked down at Magnum and I knew something was wrong.
“What is it?” I asked, my tone holding the tension I felt all throughout my body.
“I made a few calls using my father’s connections in New York. I also made a stop when I was there.” He slowly lifted his head and his eyes were strange, as if he was ready to cry.
“What’s going on?”
Now he smiled, his usual attempt to push off what troubled him. “You’ve been reinstated at the hospital. Apparently, the director was threatened with harm to his family and he felt he had no choice. I managed to help him see his misguided ways. With the arrests, he refuses to lose a valuable asset. You can return any time you’re ready.”
“You want me to go?” Wow. He’d gone to that trouble for me?
“I… I want you to have the life you’ve been fighting to regain. What we’ve shared has been amazing, but I am who I am, so is my family, and as you mentioned, the nightmare will never be over with. Not completely. Do I believe peace will be restored? Yes, I do. However, this world isn’t for you.”
“So you don’t love me.”
“Don’t put words into my mouth. This is perhaps the most selfless thing I’ve done in a life full of deeds and decisions that will likely haunt me for the rest of my days. No, I don’t want you to leave, but I also won’t force you to stay. That’s not a life and will eventually erode the strong connection we feel. All I ask is that you stay for the opening of the beach restaurant. I think it would break Kara’s and Willow’s hearts if you weren’t there.”
“I don’t know what to say.” I was shocked and instantly knots formed in my stomach.
Reaching over, he touched my face as gently as he always had. “You don’t need to say anything right now. Maybe tomorrow you can let me know what you’ve decided so I can make arrangements for your return.”
The man was so certain I was going to take him up on his offer. He eased Magnum away and I witnessed the most forlorn look on his face I’d ever seen.
But he was offering me freedom.
“I have a couple phone calls to make and maybe we’ll go out for dinner. I know a couple dog-friendly restaurants.”
“I’d like that,” I told him, reeling from his offer. My job, the one I’d fought so hard to obtain. How many interviews had I gone on? How many people had I been up against? I lowered my feet onto the floor, raking my hands through my hair after he’d walked out. I was sick inside, uncertain what was best.
“What do you think, Magnum baby? Should I stay or go?”
He lifted his precious head, his tail thumping on the cushions. When he offered me his paw, I almost burst into tears. A few seconds later, I rose to my feet, holding my arms as a chill tore through me.
My laptop was on the credenza where it had been for days. I’d had no interest in reading the news or worrying about what was happening in New York. I’d begun to wonder if the city was even my home any longer.
I pulled the computer into my hands, returning to the couch. After sipping some wine, I opened it and turned it on. As it whizzed to life, I allowed my mind to process everything I’d been through since meeting Christos one fateful night in a corridor of a hotel. The good, the bad, and the amazing.
Tingles brought a smile to my face. I shifted to the internet, taking a deep breath before typing in a phrase on Google.
“Well, baby boy. It’s now or never. Most of all, I love you with all my heart. I hope we’re doing the right thing.”
I found Christos in the kitchen. He was standing in front of the huge window staring out at the backyard. Somehow, I had a feeling he wasn’t seeing anything. Just staring off into space as I’d done more than a couple of times.
He’d even left our bed in the middle of the night and I’d felt such an intense loneliness that even Magnum hadn’t been able to fill. He was dressed for the early afternoon event in light-colored trousers and another tee shirt. With his loafers and no socks, he gave me Miami Vice vibes.
I placed my purse on the counter, checking to make certain the cute summer dress I’d chosen looked as perfect as possible.
He sensed my presence, but didn’t turn around. Yet his shoulders highlighted the tension he felt.
“So, I was curious. Do you think you’d have time to teach me Greek?” The question caught him off guard, but he still only tilted his head.
“Why?”
I swaggered closer, trying to keep a smile from my face. “Well, see, here’s the thing. While I don’t think I’ll have any issue having my medical degree certified by the Greek Ministry of Education and I certainly believe I’ll pass the medical counselor’s licensing exam, or at least I damn well better, I also need to be proficient in Greek and I think I know maybe twenty words?”
When he didn’t react right away, the knot I’d only lost after taking a shower had returned.
Very slowly he turned to face me. The way his brow was furrowed created the dark and dangerous appearance I so adored.
“I…” He stumbled on the single word.
“Well, well. You’re never at a loss for words, Christos. First time for everything.” I inched closer and he was shaking his head.
When he jerked me toward him, I laughed.
“You’re staying,” he growled.
“If you don’t mind.”
“My angel, I was still contemplating keeping you locked in a room.”
“Maybe later.” I threw my arm around him, the rush of adrenaline I’d felt since making the decision keeping me trembling all over.
“God, woman. I love you.” He pulled back, his smile turning into his infamous smirk. “I made the right choices.”
“For what?”
“You’ll see, but you need to stay right here.”
“Aren’t we supposed to leave for the opening soon?”
“A few minutes. Are you ready?”
The thick cords in his neck were highlighting his racing pulse and the scent of desire roared through us. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Good. Come on, Magnum.” Christos moved away from me and I was no longer surprised to see my puppy, the one I’d rescued after his previous owner had dumped the injured dog on a freeway, following him without so much as looking back at his mommy dog.
I stood where I was, confused as to what had just occurred.
What in the hell was the man doing?
Laughing, I couldn’t help myself, moving to the doorway and peeking around the doorway, watching as he led Magnum outside.
“Huh,” I muttered to myself, resigned to waiting.
Five minutes passed.
Almost ten. I glanced at my watch, now pacing the floor.
When I heard whistling, I stared at the doorway. As he walked in, all I could think about was that he had the grin of a Cheshire cat.
“What are you up to?” I cooed as I walked closer. “And where is Magnum?”
“Being very obedient, something you need to learn.”
“We’ll discuss your ridiculous rules later.”
He winked as he headed toward me. “You’re right. We will. I have a few surprises for you.”
“You knew I’d choose to stay?”
His shrug was almost comical. “I only hoped that you would, but I was intent on keeping my word. However, now that you’ve agreed to stay, you will do everything I say.”
“You’re not the boss of me.”
The way his laughter filled the room made my heart sing. “Don’t tempt me, angel.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the event I mentioned.”
I snagged my purse and as soon as I did, he led me toward the front door, immediately placing his hand across my eyes. “You don’t want me to see whatever you have cooked up?”
“Not yet.” His tone was more singsong than I’d ever heard. He led me outside and I took a deep breath, trying to figure out what he was doing. “I made a few decisions of my own. Magnum asked me for an allowance. A credit card actually. Now, I hesitated at first since I don’t know his spending habits, but he assured me he wouldn’t go too far overboard.”
I’d never giggled as much as I had around the man. “You need to watch the little man. He’s a bit sneaky.”
“I found that out the hard way. Cunning like his mother.”
“I taught him everything I know.”
“Good God,” he huffed. “Well, we can’t take it back, so I guess we’re going to need to live with it.”
“Live with what?”
He removed his hand and took a step away, waiting for my reaction. Magnum had a huge red bow around his neck and was currently sitting in the front driver’s seat of a red Ferrari 308 GTS. “That looks just like the 1984 car Magnum PI drove in the series.” I was whispering, my heart lurching.
“Not like, but the car that was modified to fit his six-foot four-inch frame.”
I was in utter shock. I had no clue what to say. I was thrown. I was… Without rethinking anything, I jerked around, throwing both my arms and legs around him. “You did this for me?”
“Anything my baby wants, my baby gets.”
“God. I love you. Oh, I love you.” I pulled back, planting kisses on almost every inch of his face. Meanwhile, Magnum whined as if he’d been ignored. I broke away, laughing and heading to the open-topped vehicle, throwing my arms around my fur baby. “Thank you for the gift, baby boy, but Mommy dog will need to abscond with your credit card for a little while.”
I threw open the door, nudging my big boy to the middle of the two seats before climbing into the driver’s seat.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Christos barked in that dominating tone of his.
I pulled my sunglasses from my clutch, taking my time to slide them onto my face. “What does it look like? I’m driving. Get in.”
“Dear God, help us get there in one piece.”
“Hell hath no fury,” I told him as I started the engine. “What other surprises do you have for me?”
He jumped inside, shaking his head. “Patience. That’s the first thing we’ll work on.”
All I could do was laugh because for the first time in my life, I felt fulfilled and happy.
Love wasn’t easy nor was it blind, but in allowing myself to look past the anger and confusion, I’d witnessed the brightest light of all. And it was absolutely worth fighting for.
A love that could never be challenged, at least not if I had anything to do about it.
Christos
“You get one more surprise before tonight. You’ll get the other only if you’re a good little girl.” I was whispering in her ear, unable to stop myself from nibbling on her earlobe.
“I’ll show you good. Later.” She pushed me away playfully and I let her go, Magnum trailing dutifully behind her.
Elias moved behind me and I turned to glance in his direction. He hadn’t been his usual self since learning Luca had betrayed us. It had gone back for at least two years, but he’d been clever, hiding any evidence. We had discovered he’d hired the photographer. My guess was he’d had the photographs couriered to me as well.
What little else we’d learned was that he had a foreign bank account that had taken Havros two days to find. The money deposited had been US currency so there was also no connection to Arek and his clan in New York.
Not that it mattered any longer.
Devices had been found on every home we owned, including in Corfu. Another careful attack had been planned. If it hadn’t been for Valencia insisting that she return to my house to surprise me, things could have turned out differently.
“It’s okay, Elias. You’re welcome to the party.”
“Just for family,” he said gruffly.
“You are family, my friend.”
He walked closer and with his eyes covered by dark shades, I couldn’t tell if he was still skeptical. “I take it Dr. Laurant is staying?”
Now I was beaming. I’d been certain she would return to her life. I’d convinced myself even though I’d already purchased the Ferrari. “She is.”
“Does Magnum go everywhere?”
“Pretty much. He’s a great dog. I think we might get another one.”
“You’ve changed,” Elias teased.
Yes, I had, for the better.
“Boss, I just want to say I will never do anything to hurt either one of you and if you’ll allow me the honor, I will protect her with my life.”
“I’d appreciate that, Elias. Now, come on. No shop talk today.”
“But we still have a few assholes to round up.”
“They can wait. We are allowed to enjoy the spoils of war.” I noticed Valencia had stopped, turning slightly and beckoning me with a single finger. “Besides, I do have a beautiful woman to enjoy.”
“Go for it, boss. I’ll be watching out. By the way, nice car. Love it.”
“Maybe she’ll allow you to drive it one day.”
Forever my soldier. I headed toward her, quickly scanning the area in case her second surprise was within sight.
“Now, where is my other gift?” she asked just before we made it to the entrance of the restaurant.
“I think out back. Patience. We’ll begin your training with a nice spanking later today.”
“You are such a beast.”
“Yes, I am and proud of it. Let’s go inside.” I’d seen the restaurant before its opening, but now with it full of people laughing, drinking, and feasting on the amazing food my mother had insisted having a hand with was something special.
“This is amazing. I can’t believe you guys did all this,” Valencia breathed.
“Wait until you see the outdoor space.”
“Look at that dance floor. And the stage. You’re going to have live bands. And several pool tables?”
“What’s a beach bar without booze, billiards, and bands?” I teased.
She elbowed me in the ribs as I pushed our way through the crowd. Several people lifted their glass or waved as we passed. The guest list had been checked and rechecked. The people invited were considered friends. This had nothing to do with business.
Other than how much money we’d eventually make.
I laughed as I guided her to the back door, immediately moving in front of her before she had a chance to see her other surprise.
“Don’t do that to me. What is it?” Valencia shoved me to the left, forcing herself around me. The other gift I’d arranged stood huddled together.
“Oh, my God. Katrina. Emily! You’re here. I can’t believe it.” She blew me a kiss before scampering away. Both Kara and Willow joined the group seconds later, shoving a drink into Valencia’s hand. The five women squealed together, hugging and kissing like girls did. I thought it was adorable. Magnum was right there, trying to become the center of attention and within seconds, the furry boy managed to do so. What was it about women and dogs?
Within seconds, I lost sight of them, but I had no worries. We had enough fire and manpower to keep us safe. I tipped my head toward the sunny sky, thanking whatever God had chosen to smile down on me as well as my family.
We’d been lucky.
“I think you need a drink.” The sound of Dimitrios’ voice made me chuckle.
I shifted my attention to the sound, noticing Havros had tagged along with him. At least they hadn’t come empty-handed. With a glass of whiskey in my hand, we headed toward the railing overlooking the beautiful ocean water.
“This could be our biggest goldmine,” Havros said casually as he flanked one side of me, Dimitrios the other.
“Imagine that. A beach bar instead of kink clubs.” I lifted my glass. Keeping the property in the family had been one of our greatest decisions.
“A new brand,” our older brother chimed in.
“Who knew we might end up in the restaurant business.” I laughed softly. There’d been so much going on, so many things happening that it was still tough for any of us to process it all. I noticed Dad was dancing with our mother off to the side, acting as if he hadn’t almost lost his life.
“Incidentally, I heard Arek turned up on the shores of the Hudson with more than one bullet in his brain.”
I turned my head toward Dimitrios. “Handled by Davit or the great Don Coppola?”
“Does it matter?”
I thought about his question. “Actually, not in the least. Let’s not talk shop. We deserve a little fun.”
“He’s right. The two of you need to turn around and look at something the girls did.”
We followed Havros’ direction, turning around, following where he was pointing.
“Leandro’s bar and grill,” I murmured. The sign had been placed over a picture of the four of us taken on Corfu years before. I lifted my glass. “We miss you, bro.”
They lifted their glasses in solidarity and we remained quiet for a full minute.
“So you convinced her to stay, I hear,” Dimitrios said, already laughing because he knew what I was about to say.
“News travels fast around here. She’s staying.” I couldn’t keep a smile off my face.
“It took a Ferrari as bribery though,” Havros said from the sidelines.
I gave him a dirty look, but kept the grin.
“Don’t forget a part of her family brought here with all the bells and whistles,” my older brother interjected.
“Yeah, well, I have something else for her too.” I glanced toward her, noticing she was watching me. Turning slightly, I pulled a box from my trousers. “I’m giving this to her later.”
“Oh, shit. Our baby brother is getting married.” Havros clapped me on the back.
“Keep quiet, asshole,” I snarked. “And she hasn’t said yes yet.”
“Those had better be our diamonds.” Dimitrios pinched his brow.
“Well, duh. Of course they are. She deserves only the best.”
“Our baby brother is locked in love.” Havros sighed. “Feels good. Doesn’t it?”
I glanced at her again, enjoying every second of watching her in happiness. “Yes, it does.”
“Family is all that matters. Nothing else in life is as important.”
Dimitrios’ words were haunting, but accurate. Whatever would happen with business in the future didn’t matter as long as I had her by my side.
I lifted my glass once again. “To family.”
“To family!” they both said.
There would continue to be difficulties and violence in our world, but I had a feeling all of us would do everything in our power to keep that from interfering with what we’d finally understood.
Love was the light, hate the darkness.
Thank God we’d found three incredible women who’d steered us in the right direction.
The End