Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
VIOLET
Iwoke to a thudding sound outside.
Jolting upright into a seated position, I looked around me. My room was still somewhat dark, although the sunlight peered through heavy drapes. I tried to remember when I closed them and failed.
Bump.
Bump.
Bump.
What the hell was that noise?
Bump. Bump. Bump.
I got up and went to the door but found the hallway empty. Next, I went out to the window, pulled apart the drapes, and opened the windows that led onto a balcony.
The sun hit my eyes and I blinked against its brightness, waiting for my sight to adjust. There was nobody around. A few men patrolled the property, but that wasn’t what caught my eye.
It was a beautiful, picture-perfect view.
I inhaled a deep breath, letting the scent of the sea, lemon, and olives seep into my lungs before I turned around and rushed to get ready.
Once showered and dressed, I made my way down the stairs and into the dining room.
Lykos was already seated at the head of the table, discussing something with Salvatore in Greek while Dimitros pretended not to eavesdrop and Aria ate her breakfast. Or more like shoved her breakfast around her plate enthusiastically.
“Dr. Freud,” Aria squealed as he jumped down from her chair and ran over to me to hug me.
“Hello, sweetie.”
I smiled and hugged her back, my insides shuddering with delight. There was nothing I wanted to do more than hug her and listen to her talk. I wanted to make up for every moment and word I’d missed over the past decade.
My eyes eventually rose to glance at Lykos, and I found all three pairs of eyes watching us.
“Good morning, Violet,” Salvatore greeted me, flashing me a smile. His easy charm couldn’t hide the ruthlessness I could sense rolling off of him. He might be easygoing, but it was just a disguise, and I had no intention of letting my guard down.
“Morning,” I replied. “Did you guys hear some banging?”
Lykos kept his expression guarded, but his shared glance with Salvatore didn’t escape me.
“I didn’t hear anything,” Aria answered, then dragged me toward the table to sit next to her.
“Neither did I,” Dimitros replied.
The housekeeper appeared, carrying trays of food. “Good morning, miss.”
I nodded, smiling. “Good morning.”
As I sat down, Lykos said, his attention on his kids and me, “Violet, let me officially introduce you to my children, Aria and Dimitros. Kids, Dr. Freud will be staying with us for a while.”
Aria squealed and I gave her a weak smile. I wondered if she’d be so enthusiastic if she knew our history.
“We gathered that, since she was here last night,” Dimitros grumbled, but then seemed to remember himself and nodded my way.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t overly welcoming yesterday.
We’re glad to have you in our home, Dr. Freud,” Dimitros acknowledged, although there was slight distrust in his gaze.
I couldn’t blame him, but I was impressed by his maturity.
I studied his expression and that slash on his cheek, reminding me of Lykos’s comment about Amara’s violent tendencies.
Pity and compassion filled my chest. I knew firsthand how painful a parent’s outburst could be. The only defense I had for his mother was that her mind was so far gone that she didn’t know what she was doing.
“I’m pleased to meet you too, Dimitros,” I responded, then returned my attention to Aria, who was smiling softly. Her golden curls bounced every time she moved, and I couldn’t help but shudder; Lily’s hair used to do the same exact thing.
“And since we’re re-introducing ourselves, I’m Salvatore Remo,” Salvatore chimed in, looking a bit too pleased with himself. “Lykos’s oldest, most handsome, and most tolerant best friend.”
“You mean, I’m tolerant of your dumb ass,” Lykos grumbled darkly.
I raised my eyebrow in surprise. The two seemed to be complete opposites. Salvatore seemed playful while Lykos was all dark mood and grumpiness.
“It’s really nice to officially meet you all,” I continued, keeping my composure.
Lykos’s phone rang and he answered it, his gaze locked on me. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but judging by his expression, it wasn’t good.
He let out a few curses and shot a look at Salvatore, who just shrugged and said, “I guess it’s one of those days.”
Lykos rolled his eyes.
“No, that can’t wait,” Lykos said, already standing up, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. “I need to get the kids to school, then I’ll be right there.”
He looked at the kids and mouthed to get going, causing Aria to protest on a small whine, “But I just started my breakfast. Why can’t Uncle Salvatore take us?”
“Because he has another matter he needs to attend to,” Lykos said calmly.
“But—”
“Aria, Uncle really needs to take care of this,” Dimitros said, looking at her pointedly, and Aria let out an ooo sound.
“I would do it, princess,” Salvatore justified somberly, already getting up and making his way out of the room too, “but this is important.”
“I can take them,” I chimed in. Lykos paused to look at me with suspicion, and I quickly added, “Let them finish their breakfast in peace, and I’ll walk them or drive them to school. I don’t mind since…”
I trailed off, not wanting to finish the statement. I didn’t want to remind the children about Amara’s state of mind.
“You’ll have to drive,” Lykos said.
I nodded. “I’m a good driver. And Dimitros can be my GPS.”
He paused as if debating whether it was a good idea or not, but he seemed to be in a bind and finally caved in. “Okay, thank you. Dimitros knows where the keys and the cars are.”
Before I could respond, he was gone, the front door slamming shut behind him.
I exhaled slowly, curling my fingers around the fork I hadn’t realized I picked up. I smiled and loosened my shoulders, meeting Dimitros’s and Aria’s eyes.
“Okay, let’s eat and then get going.” I shifted my focus to the eldest. “How much time do we have, Dimitros?”
He glanced at his phone. “Ten minutes.”
I nodded, then we all dug in, eating in silence. Aria swung her legs beneath her chair, making a thump sound every time her shoe kicked the leg of the chair.
She ate with gusto and there was a brightness to her expression as her long blonde braids bounced while she hummed to herself, completely unbothered.
Gosh, it was almost scary how similar that mannerism was to Lily.
My little sister did something similar every morning, insisting on eating her breakfast and taking it easy until we were out the door.
I flicked a glance at Dimitros who was watching me with a guarded gaze, almost as if he was studying me. Or maybe he just didn’t trust me.
For the next ten minutes, my own childhood played through my mind, the relentless ghosts of the past plaguing my mind. Lily’s light laughter. Her silliness. The comforting words whenever Father snapped.
“Well,” I said lightly, standing up, schooling my tone and features into a light mode. “Looks like it’s time to go.”
Aria grinned. “Are we late? I hope we’re late. Being late is exciting.”
Dimitros didn’t smile.
“We’re not late, and we don’t need more late marks on our record at school.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. Judging by his expression, no matter what, Aria could do no wrong in his eyes. “Anyhow, you love school.”
Aria shrugged. “Yeah, but I love being home more.”
I nodded. “Good. Then let’s aim to be on time, so I don’t get in trouble with your papa.”
Dimitros stood slowly, pushing in his chair.
“Deal.” Aria giggled, hopping off her chair. “I like her a lot. How about you, Dimitros?”
“I haven’t decided,” Dimitros muttered. His eyes flicked briefly toward his sister, softening for half a second before returning to me and hardening again. The kid was a mini Lykos, it was almost scary.
“Let’s move.” I gestured toward the hallway and said, “Lead the way, Dimitros.”
Aria darted off immediately, full of energy, while Dimitros and I followed behind.
“You don’t have to drive us,” he said under his breath. “I can walk us to school.”
“I told your papa I would drive you,” I replied. “Besides, why would your papa insist on driving you to school if you can walk there?”
His jaw tightened slightly. “He worries about our safety.”
I met his gaze evenly. “There you go. If he’s worried, so am I, and there’s no chance in hell I’m letting you roam the streets alone.”
We continued walking through the back door where a low row of keys hung. Dimitros reached for one, then handed it to me. When we stepped outside, we were met by the crisp morning air. Aria was already by the rows of cars, spinning in slow circles like she had all the time in the world.
“Can I sit in the front?” she called.
“No,” I said at the same time as Dimitros, and I unlocked the doors. “But your brother can since he’s old enough.”
But Dimitros was already sliding into the back seat, Aria following behind him.
I opened the door to the driver’s seat, muttering, “Your chauffeur, at your service,” as I got behind the wheel.
I started the engine and glanced at them through the mirror. Aria was still smiling. Dimitros was still watching me.
“Okay, Dimitros,” I said. “Lead the way from the back seat, then.”
His expression flashed, realizing his mistake, because now he’d have to lean over the seat and guide me, but there was no way he was going to admit it.
“Straight, then left,” he grumbled, then quickly added, “No, right.”
I pulled out of the parking spot and smiled. Maybe I could gain his trust, one turn at a time.