Chapter 34 #2
She always found a way to validate both my principles and the reality of the situation, never making me feel foolish for either. It was one of the countless reasons I loved her.
“There is more,” I continued. “A woman has arrived at our gate claiming to be Dimitrios’s wife. She has a child.”
Dede’s eyes widened. “Dimitrios is married?”
“This is what she claims.”
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I glanced at the screen and saw my lawyer’s name. “I need to take this.”
Dede nodded, continuing with her moisturizing routine as I answered.
“Phoibe Stravrou has withdrawn her lawsuit. Her attorney contacted us fifteen minutes ago to inform us that she’s dropping all claims.” My lawyer’s voice came through clearly.
I straightened, responding in Greek. “Really?”
“It seems the leaked footage had precisely the effect one might hope. Her lawyer indicated that Ms. Stravrou feels ‘pursuing this matter further would not be productive.’”
“I see.” I kept my voice flat, but satisfaction coursed through me.
“We’re preparing a statement acknowledging her withdrawal without admitting any wrongdoing, as discussed. Will you want to proceed with the press conference as planned?”
“Yes, but we’ll adjust the messaging.”
“Of course. Congratulations, Mr. Christakis.”
I ended the call and turned to Dede, who was watching me with curious eyes.
“Phoibe has dropped the lawsuit,” I said simply.
Dede’s face broke into a wide smile. “She’s backing down?”
I nodded. “Matt’s strategy, it had the desired effect.”
She set her lotion aside and wrapped her arms around my neck. “I know you didn’t approve of his methods, but I can’t say I’m sorry about the outcome.”
“Neither am I.” I exhaled slowly.
I had built the Christakis name into something my father would have been proud of. One woman and a lie had nearly torn it apart. Not because the accusation had merit, but because the world was eager to believe the worst of powerful men.
I’d prepared myself for months of legal warfare, for cameras and headlines and Dede having to stand beside me through all of it. And now it was simply — over.
“You’re doing that thing,” Dede said.
“What thing?”
“Where you’re angry at yourself for not seeing it sooner. Stop it. She fooled everyone. Your father trusted her for years.”
I looked at this woman sitting in my robe who had not doubted me for a single moment. Not when the accusations hit, not when the press descended, not when the whispers started. Her faith in me had been absolute and immediate.
“You never questioned me,” I said. “Not once.”
“I didn’t need to. I know who you are, Aris.”
I pulled her closer and pressed my lips to her forehead, holding her there for a long moment. “The press conference is not for three hours. The babies, they are well cared for and Dimi’s situation, it is his to handle.”
Her smile turned playful. “Are you suggesting we ignore the drama downstairs?”
I loosened her robe. “After everything we have been through, we deserve moment of peace together before diving back into the fray, yes.”
She leaned into my touch. “Just a moment?”
I smiled, drawing her closer until she was in my arms, her body fitting perfectly against mine as it always had. “Maybe a little longer than that.”
I kissed her slowly, savoring the taste of her, the softness of her lips, the way she sighed into my mouth. Her hands tightened in my hair as I deepened the kiss, and the robe slipped further down her shoulders.
When we finally broke apart, she kept her forehead pressed to mine. “I’ve made a decision.”
I waited, giving her the space to continue.
“I want to make Athens our home.”
My heart skipped. This was what I’d hoped for.
“But…” she continued, “on one condition.”
“Name it,” I said immediately.
A smile touched her lips. “We go back to Montrose frequently. I need Mama Nettie, Kandi, and my church family. The twins need to know that part of their heritage too.”
“You are certain about moving here, yes? I do not want you to feel pressured into it.”
“I’m certain,” she said. “This isn’t about pressure, Aris. It’s about what makes sense for our family. You gave me time to figure out what I wanted and what I needed. And what I need is you, this life we’re building. Greece feels like where I’m supposed to be.”
Relief and joy washed over me. “Then it is settled, yes? Greece, it will be our home.”
I brushed a kiss against her lips before continuing. “We will spend winters in Montrose, yes. Three, maybe four months of year. I need to finish working on your old car engine, and the Christakis empire, it can function without my physical presence for that long.”
“You’d do that?”
“For you? Without question.” I unbraided her braids. “Whenever you want Nettie or Kandi or anyone from Montrose here, they will be flown in. You have your own plane, after all.”
She froze. “I have my what now?”
“Your plane, yes. The Gulfstream G700. It was delivered last week.”
“You bought me a plane?” Her voice was incredulous.
“It is your push present,” I said simply. “For giving me the most beautiful children in the world and for giving me this second chance at love.”
Dede stared at me, speechless. Then she laughed. “Most women get flowers, maybe jewelry. You Christakis men really do everything on a different scale, don’t you?”
“I will take this as complaint.”
She kissed me, soft and sweet at first, but I wasn’t letting her get away that easily. I held the back of her head, deepening the kiss until she made a sound that went straight through me. When I finally let her pull back, her eyes were glazed and her breathing unsteady.
Dede shook her head, still smiling. “My own plane. What am I supposed to do with my own plane?”
I traced my thumb along her lower lip. “Use it whenever you want to see Nettie. Visit Kandi. Attend church services in Montrose.” I pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “You’ll have complete freedom.”
“That’s extravagant.”
“You are moving to another country for me, Dede. The least I can do is make sure you never feel trapped here, yes? You can go home whenever you need to.”
Her expression softened, and she pulled me down for another kiss, this one slow and lingering. Her hands slid up my chest to my shoulders, and I tightened my arms around her waist.
When we broke apart this time, she was smiling against my lips. “A private jet,” she murmured. “You really are ridiculous, you know that?”
“Ridiculously in love with you,” I said, kissing her again before she could respond.
“Okay,” she finally whispered. “Okay, I’ll accept your ridiculously extravagant gift.”
“Good.” I nuzzled her neck. “It is waiting to be customized to your specifications.”
“Aris!”
I silenced her protest with another kiss. This woman had walked into my life and changed everything. She’d given me children I never thought I’d have, and a family I’d stopped believing was possible.
“Se agapo,” she murmured against my lips.
I cupped her face in my hands. “Se agapo, Dede.”