“You’re bringing a woman home?” Theo sounded stunned. “To Syros?”
“Yes,” Alexandros said. “I told you, she’s different. I want you, Mother, and Father to meet her.”
“I’ll be there.”
After hanging up, Alexandros immediately called his father.
Christos Kallistratos answered in his usual baritone, steady and commanding. “Alexandros. About the Dryfuss issue?—”
“Handled. Theo and I are coordinating. I meet with Legal in… fifteen minutes. Don’t worry. It will go through.”
There was a brief silence. “What is going on with Gina? Apollo and Dorothea dropped in unexpectedly for dinner last night. They would really like to see an announcement.”
“I will not be pressured into any of Gina or her parent’s charades. It is nothing but a wishful dream on their part. I imagine they would like to get rid of the monster they have created.”
Christos sighed. “Gina has been feeding them a line that your engagement is imminent. Your mother and I pretended to be surprised by the information and told them we hadn’t heard anything.”
“She is dreaming. There never has, nor will there ever be, anything between Gina and me. She still harbors a belief from when we were kids and you and Apollo jokingly mentioned we would make a good match. She’ll get over it.”
“Yes, your mother tends to remind me about that unfortunate conversation whenever Apollo and Dorothea visit,” Christos grumbled. “Gina’s not the type to get over things. She tends to let things fester. I’ll have another word with Apollo.”
“I’m aware. You needn’t bother. I’ll deal with Gina once and for all,” Alexandros said before he hesitated. “I wanted to let you know… I’ll be at the villa on Syros this weekend. And I’ll be bringing a guest.”
His father’s voice held a flicker of interest. “A guest?”
“A woman. A very special one.”
Another pause. Then, with mild surprise, “Your mother will be delighted. You’ve never brought a woman to meet us, much less to our family home.”
“I know,” Alexandros said simply.
“I’ll tell her. I know she will be pleased.”
After ending the call, Alexandros set the phone on his desk and turned back to the view. The city sprawled beneath him, humming with life. But it felt hollow. Detached.
He closed his eyes and pictured Dani—barefoot on the dock, her skirt dancing in the breeze, that quicksilver smile lighting up her face.
I gave you last night, Dani.
Tonight, Dani, you’ll be mine. And this time… you won’t want to go.
His jaw tightened with anticipation.
Eight
A dull throb pulsed behind Dani’s eyes as she drifted toward consciousness. Her head felt like it was packed with fog—heavy and slow—her limbs numb and awkward.
She blinked once. Twice. Shadows wavered, refusing to take shape.
A sour, metallic tang coated her tongue. Her body felt unmoored—half dream, half nightmare.
She tried to move—and couldn’t.
Panic surged.
Her mouth was sealed with thick tape, and her arms were wrenched behind her, bound tightly to something cold and unyielding. A metal pipe. Her legs were curled under her on what felt like an old mattress reeking of mold and sweat. The air was stale, laced with dust and oil. Her breath came in short, sharp bursts through her nose.
She twisted, wincing at the sharp bite of plastic cutting into her skin, until she sat upright.
