Chapter 24 Stassi
STASSI
The zoo is quieter than I expected for a Saturday morning.
Maybe it's the heat, or maybe it's the tucked-away location Theo's men insisted on vetting first. Either way, it's perfect. Quiet enough that we're not overwhelmed, but full enough that we blend in. Just another family with a curious kid and matching water bottles.
I've had to give myself about three pep talks so far.
It's been hard, but I'm trying not to think about the letter I got.
The picture. The fact that someone is threatening me and Xander.
The whole reason why we're here. I've found that if you tell yourself all you have is today, this moment, the here and now, it tends to overwhelm every other thought.
Because if someone comes for us, I want to know this moment was real. That I didn't waste it. That we were happy, even if just for a day.
I look up and see Xander clinging to Theo's hand as they walk ahead of me, chattering about animals and whether the baby tigers will ever be "as big as Daddy."
It's surreal. Just days ago, they were strangers. Now, Xander and Theo talk like they've always known each other, and Theo listens like every word matters.
"Mommy! Daddy says el'phants remember everything forever and ever."
"It's true," I say, stepping closer to them. "An elephant never forgets," I say with a smile and rub his head. "That's what they say, anyhow."
I look at Theo. I see his eyes scanning the area around us before returning to me. He's got men near the entrance, another by the reptile house, and a few scattered around, but I can tell he's still on high alert.
Theo glances back at me, and for a second, we have a moment. It's brief, but it tells me everything I need to know: he's falling harder and faster than he wants to admit. Not just for our son, but for this. For us. And so am I.
"Can we see lions next?" Xander bounces on his toes, oblivious to the moment.
"Of course," Theo says and pats him on the back. "Have you ever heard a lion roar up close?"
"No!"
"Well, maybe we'll get lucky and hear one of them."
Xander takes Theo's hand without hesitation, then, for the first time, he turns and reaches back for mine. I don't think I've ever grabbed someone's hand so fast.
The three of us, connected, walking. My heart beats so fast in my chest I almost can't breathe.
This is what we could have had all along. This is what his father stole from us.
The sun, and Theo's hand, warm my skin. I'm now grateful Marlena insisted on staying behind at the villa, claiming she needed rest. "You three need time together," she'd said, hugging me before we left. "He's making up for lost time. Let him."
At the lion enclosure, we find three sprawled in the shade, their massive paws dangling over a rock ledge. Xander presses against the viewing glass, amazement written across his face.
Then, as kids do, he turns and spots a sign with an arrow and monkeys on it.
"Monkeys!" Xander yells and walks away.
Besides breaks to eat, some frozen lemonade, and a few pieces of mango for Xander, our day unfolds jumping from one animal habitat to another under the hot sun.
By the time we make it back to the villa, we're hot and sweaty. We all change and jump into the pool. The cool water is instantly refreshing on the skin.
I hold Xander, who's clutching a plastic tiger Theo got him like it's his most priceless item—and right now, it probably is.
Afterward, we all rinse off in the outside showers and go inside. I change Xander out of his bathing suit and he runs to the couch, tiger still in his hands, and he passes out while putting on cartoons.
I sweep a damp lock of hair from his forehead and give him a kiss.
"We've worn him out," I say, turning to Theo.
"I'm glad he had fun today."
"Are you kidding? It was like his best day."
Theo nods, and I can see he's thinking of something. "Are you all right?"
"Meet me in the bedroom," he says with a slight smile, low enough that Marlena doesn't hear.
"Okay," I say, knowing he's up to something. "I'll ask Marlena to keep an eye on him."
Theo nods and leaves. I speak to Marlena and walk down the hall to meet Theo.
I close the bedroom door behind me and find Theo standing near the window, shirtless, his hair still damp from the outside showers.
The sun coming through the sheer curtains catches on the ridges of his abs, making the lines of his torso look even more sculpted.
He turns when he hears me and gives me a look that makes heat rush between my legs.
Theo smiles, and his eyes drag over me slowly. I haven't changed out of my swimsuit yet, and the damp fabric clings to every curve.
I open my mouth to speak, but the words get lost in my throat as he crosses the room in three strides and grabs my throat—not hard, but firm, commanding—and gently strokes the side of my neck with his thumb.
"I haven't been able to take my eyes off you all day," he says and looks down at my breasts. "And now in your bathing suit. Are you trying to kill me?"
I smirk and rub his rippled abs with my fingertips. "Are you trying to kill me?" I repeat the question.
He leans in and kisses me. My eyes almost roll back with the sudden wave of pleasure his lips, his tongue, give me.
"You've been good today," he says, pulling away slightly. "But I still think you need a reminder of who you belong to."
"Yes, Sir," I say without hesitating, without thinking.
"Strip. Slowly. I want to watch you."
I obey. I unhook my bathing suit top and toss it to the floor. My breasts are bare and my nipples harden at the way he looks at them, licking his lips like he's moments away from sucking them.
I remove the bottoms and stand before my king, completely naked. My thighs feel slick from the heat and arousal, and the wetness between my legs is growing. I see the way his gaze devours every inch of me and I smile.
It's one thing Theo has always been good at. When he looks at me, I'm somehow confident. Unafraid. Not nervous. The way his eyes take me in gives me everything I need to expose myself completely to him.
"Lie on the bed," he commands.
I do so without speaking.
I lay on the mattress, propping myself up on my elbows.
"Spread your legs," he growls. "I want to taste what's mine."
As I do, Theo kneels and begins softly, gently kissing my inner thighs.
His lips are like fire on my skin and each movement sends more and more heat right to my center, right to where I want his tongue.
His hands reach up and firmly grip my thighs, and he pulls me closer to him. I let out a playful scream as he does, excited by what he's about to do.
The moment his tongue is on me again, my head thuds back against the bed.
"Theo," I gasp, taking one of my hands and tangling it in his wet hair.
He groans into me, sucking my clit with just enough pressure to make me cry out.
He licks my slit slowly, up and down, sliding his tongue in and out of me, then goes rougher, faster, curling his tongue against my clit.
"Fuck, Sir," I moan, hips already bucking.
He doesn't let up. He devours me. Licking, sucking, nibbling, until I see stars.
I can't breathe. Can't think. My thighs start to close around him, but he grips them tighter, spreading me wider.
"You taste so fucking sweet," he growls.
"God, I missed your mouth, Sir."
"That's right. My filthy girl." He presses two fingers into me while licking me harder. "You're dripping. You get like this for anyone else?"
"No," I moan, my body arching. "Only you, Sir. Always you."
He sucks my clit hard enough that I feel an erotic fire and electricity are the only things coursing through me.
"Theo, baby," I pause. "Sir. I'm gonna come. Can I? Please, Sir, let me come," I moan, biting my lip, trying to hold myself together until he allows me.
He pulls back just enough. "Yes. I want to taste all of you. Come for me."
He wraps his lips around my clit and hums, and the vibration tips me over the edge. I cry out, writhing under his mouth, climax rolling through me like a tidal wave. Bright white stars overtake my vision and I feel like I'm floating.
He keeps licking until I'm twitching, oversensitive and panting.
When he finally pulls back, his mouth glistens.
He wipes his chin and stands, towering over me as I catch my breath.
"On your knees," he commands.
Still dazed, I drop instantly, my body moving before my brain can catch up.
"Look at me," he says, cupping my jaw. "Open that perfect mouth."
I part my lips, and he spits into my mouth without hesitation.
"Swallow it."
I obey like it's gospel.
"Taste how sweet you are," he growls.
He slides his bathing suit off, and I take his large, throbbing cock in my hands. Precum is dripping from his tip, and I lean forward and take a lick.
I savor his taste. "Good fucking girl."
He then guides his cock into my mouth and I take him in, slow at first, then deeper. He lets me set the pace until his fingers fist in my hair and he starts fucking my mouth.
"Fuck, yes," he grits. "You were made for this. Made to be mine," he says, his abs flexing above me as he fights for control.
I take him deeper, relaxing my throat. I get a little too excited and gag.
"Mmm, choke on my cock like a good little slut."
I moan around him, letting drool run down my chin, taking him to the back of my throat. I want to gag again, my eyes getting watery. I want to please him so badly it hurts.
I'm his good girl. I always have been.
He grunts, eyes burning down into mine. "Fuck. You're perfect, Stassi."
His thrusts become faster, more aggressive. His breathing is heavy. He's close.
His hips jerk. "I'm going to come," he warns. "Hold it. Don't swallow."
He grunts, hips jerking forward, and I feel his cock pulse. I clamp my lips down as he spills into my mouth, hot and thick.
After a few slow thrusts, making sure I've taken every last drop, he slides out of my mouth.
I hold it there just like he said, mouth full, waiting for his command.
"Look at me."
I do.
He strokes my cheek. "Now."
I swallow everything. Slowly. Keeping eye contact the entire time.
"Thank you, Sir."
"Fucking perfect," he breathes, dragging me to my feet and into a kiss that tastes like everything we've just done. His arms wrap around me, holding me tighter than he ever has.
As he holds me, I realize he didn't fuck me because this wasn't about that. This was about ownership.
About trust.
About remembering.
He kisses my neck a few times and then we fall into bed, our bodies tangled together. My head rests on his shoulder, and for a while, we just breathe, lost in the moment.
After a few moments wrapped up in the moment, Theo breaks the silence.
"So, I need to talk to you," he says, brushing a thumb along my cheek.
My stomach tightens. I nod and sit up to look at him.
"What's going on?" I ask.
"I'm taking us back to Greece," he says, no hesitation.
My heart stutters. "Wait. What? When?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. I have more of my men arriving in the morning to help bring us all back. "
"Theo—"
"We've got to. It's not safe here anymore. I saw a man at the café today. No drink, no food, just sitting there watching us. And a car parked across the main entrance from the zoo. The man just sat there, staring at us."
I shake my head. "That doesn't mean anything. How would anyone know we were there?"
He shrugs. "I don't know. And maybe I'm overreacting, but I'll just continue to do that outside areas I know I can fully protect you. Either way, I think the longer we stay here, the more exposed we are."
I look away, swallowing the lump in my throat. "And you think bringing us back to Kalamata is the answer?"
"Yes," he says firmly. "I need to get back.
Figure out who sent you that package, and I need you and Xander close.
Where I can control the security," he says and rubs my cheek.
"Stassi, whoever sent you that package won't just go away.
And we can't run or hide forever. I need to get back to where my family has control and find them. "
"Do I have a choice?" I ask with a bit of hostility.
"I let you plan this trip. I let you call the shots. But this is non-negotiable. I need you close. I need our son where I can protect him."
"And if I say no?" I ask.
His jaw clenches.
"Then I'll drag you kicking and screaming," he says with a smile and leans over and kisses me. "Because I will burn the whole world down before I let anyone get to you or our son."
I think for a moment, going back and forth in my mind between my own primal desire to just be with Theo—follow him to the ends of the earth with our son—but also the fear that a mother carries to protect her baby.
"Okay," I say in a low tone.
"Okay?"
I nod again. "Okay. We go back."
He lets out a breath, one hand sliding into my hair as he presses a kiss to my forehead.
"Thank you," he says. "You two will have nothing to worry about once we get back."
We lay back down together in silence.
But something lingers in the back of my mind.
Is he overreacting or are people watching?
Either way, Theo's right.
These people won't just disappear.
Something's coming.
Something we may not be ready for.