19. Andrew
19
ANDREW
A day earlier
I pull up to the Kastellanos estate in my black sedan, gravel crunching beneath the tires as I come to a stop. Philip is expecting me here to discuss business.
I pass security at the gates and nod at the guards, my mind wandering back to Aria .
Before I met her, I thought she’d be innocent and sweet. For a moment, I had a good feeling. I thought maybe we could actually build something real.
That was until I caught her with another man’s fingers up her cunt.
So , to put her at ease about the marriage, I’ve been keeping up an act, even asking about her flowers and studio that I don’t give a fuck about.
The memory serves as a reminder that, as of today, there will be no more lies. No more deception.
I push the thought aside, focusing my attention fully on the matter at hand.
When I step up to the heavy wooden doors, I’m greeted by Philip’s housemaid.
Maggie … Madeline ?
“ Magdalena ,” I say, finally remembering her name.
The woman nods politely. “ He’s down the hall in his office.”
I walk down the corridor and hear the faint sound of people speaking. Peter Kouvalakis must already be here.
From what Philip has told me, he will do anything to keep his business and partnerships alive. The biggest one being with Peter , the Godfather he works for as second-in-command. Together , we’ll ensure that the plans they’ve put in motion will remain untouched.
My main goal is to reinstate my family among Cebrene’s elite. It’s what’s owed to us. Philip is merely a means to an end. By marrying Aria , I get direct access to the Kastellanos name and clan and to the Cebrene families. And Philip gets an heir who’s willing to do anything to maintain power and social stature.
Given that Dimitri has no idea what his father is planning, Philip has begun to show him the ropes, making him believe that he’s being taught to one day take over. But it’s all for show, and when the time comes, I will be head of the family.
At that point, Dimitri won’t be able to fight his father’s decision.
Philip isn’t planning on stepping down anytime soon. But that doesn’t matter. Because , in the meantime, I’ll be fucking his daughter every night so I can produce a son that will continue my family’s legacy. The Galanis legacy.
I gently knock on the office door and step in.
Philip sees me first and greets me with a smile. “ My boy,” he says, walking over to me to clap me on the shoulder. “ This is Peter , Godfather of the Kouvalakis clan.”
I shake the other man’s hand. “ Nice to meet you, Godfather .”
Peter nods, the faintest smirk appearing on his lips. “ I’ve heard a lot about you, Andrew .”
“ All good things, I hope,” I joke, and the men laugh.
“ You wouldn’t be here if they weren’t,” Peter says with a greedy grin.
We exchange pleasantries for a couple minutes before settling into the plush armchairs.
“ I wanted you to officially meet before the engagement party,” Philip says, gesturing between me and his boss. “ Andrew here is a fine young man, and I’m glad to have him in the family. He’s going to be an asset to us.”
The atmosphere is professional but tense, hints of underlying power dynamics swirling around us. Philip leans back in his chair, a confident smirk playing on his lips, while Peter’s expression is unreadable.
“ Good to hear. We’re working on big things, Mr . Galanis . Things that could put your father’s name back on the map,” he says.
The mere thought of being welcomed back into the fold of the five important families ignites a fire within me to prove myself even more.
Every step I’ve taken, every decision I’ve made, has led me to this moment.
“ However , there’s something you don’t know,” Peter adds.
I lean forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees.
“ The reason we’re counting on your cooperation is because your late father was our associate when Philip and I first started our business. He was a third of the group that created the Sisterhood . With you—with your father’s name—we can extend our project.”
“ What is the Sisterhood ?” I ask, confusion and curiosity filling me. Neither my father nor my mother ever mentioned a partnership with the Kouvalakis and Kastellanos leaders.
Peter raises a hand to dismiss the question, shaking his head. “ It’s not important for now.” I lean back, attempting to appear calm, though my mind races with annoyance.
“ All you need to know is that it’s a private society, membership only.”
My gaze narrows. “ But why was my father involved? Why haven’t I heard about this before?” I force myself to maintain eye contact with Peter .
“ Your father was a vital part of our early days. He believed in our vision and helped us build the foundation of what we have now. But there are details that are...sensitive. For now, it’s best if some things remain undisclosed,” Philip replies instead.
“ I believe I should know every detail for this partnership to work,” I grit out, my voice still somehow sounding smooth and calm.
Something flashes in Peter’s eyes as he reaches into his jacket to retrieve something. “ And I suggest you tread carefully and do as you’re told,” he says in a warning tone. He places a sleek, metallic object on the table between us. An unspoken threat hangs heavy in the air. My gaze flickers between Peter and the gun.
I nod, jaw clenching, and the conversation continues.
Finally , after what feels like an eternity, we reach a pause in the discussion, and I stand to leave, thanking them for their time. Philip nods, his eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. He thinks this whole power play is funny. Prick .
Once I step outside the office, I come face to face with Aria’s mother.
“ Yassas , Elena ,” I say, greeting her with a kiss on each cheek. “ Ti kánis ?”
“ Kalá , efkharistó ,” she replies with a warm smile.
“ Where is Aria ?” I ask.
“ She’s in her studio working on some arrangements. I’m sure she’d be happy to see you.”
I thank her and navigate through the hallways and out into the garden to get to the guest house. My steps quicken as I approach the door, and I push it open.
Aria looks up from arranging a bouquet, her eyebrows arching when she sees me standing there.
“ Andrew , what are you doing here?” She drops my gaze and goes back to the flowers.
I stride toward her and lean against the counter she’s working on, hands in my pockets. “ I’m here to see my girl,” I say, nonchalantly.
A flash of unease crosses her face as her lips curl into a smile. But it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. She’s trying to mask her discomfort. Good , because what I’m about to tell her isn’t going to make it any better .
“ Oh , that’s nice,” she says, still averting her gaze.
I decide to cut to the chase. “ We need to talk.”
She sets down the bouquet, eyes darting around nervously. “ About what?”
I wait until she meets my eyes. “ About Dion Loukas . Your friend from the café.”
Aria takes a step back. “ What about him?” Despite her attempt to maintain her composure, there’s a subtle tremor in her voice.
“ Don’t give me that bullshit, Aria ,” I snap. “ I know what’s been going on between you two,” I say, my voice a barely contained growl. “ And I’m here to make sure it stops.”
Aria’s breath catches in her throat. “ I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammers.
I take a step forward, caging her in between me and the counter. “ Don’t lie to me. I know you’ve been seeing him behind my back.” My anger is simmering just below the surface, ready to boil over. “ I’ve seen you with him. More recently in the back alley of Black Bean .”
Aria swallows hard, her eyes now wide with fear.
“ Andrew , please?—”
“ Please what , Aria ?” I cut her off with a sharp wave of my hand that makes her flinch. “ Save it. I’m not interested in your fucking excuses. I’m here to deliver a message.”
I lean in close, my breath hot against her ear. “ You don’t know who I am. And you especially don’t know the lengths I will go to make sure you don’t mess up my plans.” I pull back briefly. “ I couldn’t care less about who you love or who you let touch your body. What I do care about is my motherfucking reputation,” I seethe, each word coming out with more force than the last. “ If anyone sees you with him, or any other man for that matter, I will be the one they talk about.”
Her hands are now shaking at her side, her body quaking with fear.
“ If I catch you anywhere near Dion again, if I so much as hear his name pass your lips, I won’t hesitate to make you regret it,” I hiss.
Aria’s breath comes out in shallow gasps.
“ And if you even think about crossing me again, I won’t hesitate to go after Dimitri or your mother.” I pause for a moment to allow the weight of my words to sink in, and I watch as her chest rises and falls rapidly with each shaky inhale. “ Consider yourself warned. Do you understand?”
Aria’s eyes brim with tears as she nods frantically. “ Yes ,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.
I reach out and grab her by the neck, fingers closing around her throat, and a strangled gasp escapes her lips.
I’m in control. I have the power.
She’s trapped, helpless against my strength. I can feel the fear pulsing through her veins, mingling with the adrenaline coursing through mine.
“ Now , repeat after me,” I instruct.
“ Andrew Galanis is my fiancé, and I will be loyal to him,” she chokes out.
“ Again .”
“ Andrew Galanis is my fiancé, and I will be loyal to him.”
Aria repeats the sentence over and over until the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes drench my hand.
I let her go, and she gasps for air, clutching her throat.
“ You’d better remember that.”
I give her one last hard look before turning on my heel and striding out of the studio.