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“It’s a little complicated,” she admitted. “We have to state our intention to marry in the newspaper and then it takes a week or so to get the license. There are a few steps, but we can do it within two weeks.”
He frowned. “I didn’t want to wait that long.”
She laughed, sliding her arms around his neck. “We’ve waited four years—what’s the hurry now?”
“My gut tells me my father is going to try to stop us and I’m not letting him.”
She paused. “I can make some phone calls today and have the intent to marry published tomorrow. When we get to Athens, we can visit your embassy—I think there’s a paper you need translated—and make plans for a civil ceremony as soon as they’ll allow it.”
He nodded. “Are you okay with that?”
“Of course. But we have a lot to talk about.”
“Yes, but let’s take things one step at a time. I need to go down to the site and meet with Hank and Pat for a while. If you can make our travel arrangements and pack for you and Mihalis, we’ll have some time tonight to come up with our plan of action.”
“Okay.” She leaned into his kiss, still reeling from how natural it felt to be together again.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked, fingers trailing along the side of her face.
“I’m a little overwhelmed, but I’ll be okay with you next to me.”
“Always. You can count on that.” He kissed her once more, lightly, before grabbing his keys. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
She blew him a kiss.
19
Mick had just gotten to the job site when his phone rang. Seeing his father’s name on the screen turned his stomach a little, but he reminded himself what was at stake and managed to keep his voice neutral when he answered.
“Hi, Dad.”
“What the hell are you doing, Michael?”
“Not sure what you’re referring to. Could you be a little more specific?”
“Don’t be smart with me, boy. I’m talking about that tramp from college who—”
“Just stop,” Mick growled. “She wasn’t a tramp then and she isn’t one now. Just because you didn’t like her and she doesn’t come from old money doesn’t make her a tramp or a gold digger. I love her and, like it or not, we have a kid together.”
“Fine. Set up a custody arrangement, throw some more money at her and walk the hell away. This is your future we’re talking about.”
“Yes, it is. A future that includes my son.”
“You’re going to sue for custody?”
Mick wanted to hang up but took a deep breath instead. “Lena and I are going to share custody.” Some gut instinct warned him not to mention they were getting married even though he wasn’t sure why.
“Michael, I won’t have you throwing away everything you’ve worked for because of a piece of ass.”
“Jesus Christ, Dad, I’m in love with her.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, what are you talking about? Laughlin men don’t fall in love—we marry for status and genetics.”
Mick wanted to bang his head on the nearest hard surface but simply said, “I don’t know how you became such a jaded bastard, but that’s not who I am. If you can’t accept Lena and Mihalis, we don’t have anything to say to each other.”
“You work for me, boy, and I can fire your ass.”
According to Hank and Pat, that wasn’t true, but Mick didn’t care anymore. “You can, but you won’t because I’ll tell all the clients I’ve worked with—who love me, by the way—that you’re being a big pussy and trying to blackmail me because you don’t like my girlfriend. Let’s see how that plays out in the business world.”
