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Alistair put on an apologetic look, saying, “Sorry, about that cousin. I was just trying to lighten of the situation. Anyway, with Nina still recovering from having Baby Zar, Zar didn’t want to leave her side. Xander wanted to come but with Sabre being pregnant, he didn’t want to be too far away from her in case something happens. After hearing what happened, the three of us jumped on Grandfather’s jet to help in any way we can.”
“Of course,” I return. I know they mean well but me and my people can handle the situation without their help. It probably wasn’t only Balthazar’s idea to send them here but Uncle Sebastian and Yiannis as well.
Alistair grins with a crazy look in his eyes. “Plus, after the information Tech got on that Hollis fucker, there was no way I wasn’t going to be a part of the festivities.” He glances over my shoulder at Tahir and Malichi. “New security detail?”
I move to side so they could get a better view of them.
Pointing to Tahir, I reply, “This is Tahir, my soon to be brother-in-law.” They nod at each other before I move my hand toward Malichi. “This is Malichi Galanis. The one I was telling you and Balthazar about.” I then introduce Tahir and Malichi to them. “This is our cousin Alistair and these two are close family friends Mike and Tech.”
They greet each other with handshakes.
While shaking Malichi’s hand, Alistair says, “Can’t say that I’m sorry about what happened to your father, but he knew the rules. I hope you prove to be nothing like him.”
“I never knew the bastard, so he’s no loss to me. I can assure you; I am nothing like him,” Malichi states.
As Mike and Tech approach me, Mike informs me, “We got everything you need on Hollis.” Tech holds up his briefcase and laptop. “Just let us know when you’re ready.”
“Yiorgos,” Kitten’s angelic voice calls out. We look up to see her, Zoe and their parents standing at the top of the stairs. “Is everything all right? Who are these men?” They begin to come down the stairs. I meet her at the last stair with my hand out. Deanna takes it, then I walk her over to where the men are standing.
“This is my cousin Alistair, and these are our family friends Mike and Tech from Dallas. They’re in town for a visit,” I reply, not wanting to tell her the real reason they’re here, in front of her parents.
“Nice to meet you all,” she greets the men, then introduces them to her parents and Zoe. When she finishes, Deanna asks them, “Will the three of you be staying here with Yiorgos?”
“No,” Alistair responds, shaking his head. “My grandfather’s house is three blocks over, so we’ll be staying there.”
“I think it’s nice when family live close to each other,” Mrs. Lowe state. “I tried to get the girls to buy houses in our neighborhood, but they wanted to move closer to downtown.”
Deanna and Zoe roll their eyes giggling before Deanna says, “Momma, we did that because of our jobs.”
“There’s nothing wrong with commuting. Your daddy did it every day before he retired,” Mrs. Lowe debates.
“Anyway,” Deanna laughs, then peers up at me. “Can I talk to privately?”
“Yes, of course.”
Getting Basil’s attention, I wave him over to me. “Take everyone into the den, then have the chef prepare a meal. Deanna and I are going to my office to talk. We’ll be back shortly.”
“No, problem,” he returns.
Facing the others, I say, “Please, excuse us for a moment. Basil will take you all into the den where there are drinks, and the chef will fix us something to eat.”
Deanna’s father looks as if he wants to ask why we need to be away from them, but he keeps it to himself as Mrs. Lowe pulls him along with the others.
With Deanna’s hand in mine, I guide her to my office. Once we’re inside, I close the door and lead her behind the desk. Sitting in my chair, I unhurriedly lower Deanna to my lap.
“What is it that you want to talk about, Kitten?” I ask.
Deanna presses her hands against my chest, pushing me back slightly. “Yiorgos last night was something I never imagined would happen in my life. It reminded me that no matter how much you want the world around you to be all peaches and cream, someone will always be there to throw mud and snap you into what reality really is.” She holds up her hand, stopping my words. “I’m not saying I want to sell the bookstore, but it has made me realize no matter if you’re in a worn-down part of the city or one that is upcoming and thriving; there will always be someone out there who will want to capitalize on what you have built. Hollis doesn’t scare me.”
“I know he doesn’t, Kitten.” I whisper, holding her tighter.
Her arms lock onto me. “At the same time, I know I can’t take him on by myself.”
I lean back staring into her eyes. Where was she going with this?
She shyly smiles stating, “Yiorgos, I’m not stupid. I read enough books to know you and your family are not who you portray them to be. It’s amazing what you can find on the internet too. After meeting you the night of my birthday, I did my own background search on your family and was able to put two and two together.”
Clutching her wrist, I declare, “Deanna, I have never portrayed my family to be anything other than who we are. We own legitimate businesses, but we also have others that the judicial system may see as illegal. Those businesses are why my family has stayed at the top of the food chain.” I pause, letting her wrist go.
