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“I do need to trust you, my beautiful woman.” He slipped a single finger under my chin, lifting it tenderly. “Your safety is my main concern.”
“The safety and the future of your family is what you need to concentrate on.”
“You don’t get it. You are my family.”
Trickles of fear skated down my spine. “And you are mine. Maybe my father wasn’t such a bad guy after all.”
“We shall see. We. Shall. See. I need to talk to my father and brothers.”
“Is Nico out of the hospital?”
A slight smile formed, but the rage remained in his eyes. “Yes. He’s weak but doing well, a hardhead refusing to follow doctor’s orders. At least my mother insisted that he stay at the estate.”
“Mothers know best.”
He continued to trail his fingers down my face, moving to my arm before rolling his knuckles across my cheek. The tension in the powerful man was difficult to witness. “I will keep you safe.”
I was terrified he was still making promises he couldn’t keep.
As he walked out of the room, my heart refused to stop thudding. What had my father really been trying to do?
And would it destroy me when I learned?
CHAPTER22
Phoenix
“How are you feeling?” I asked Nico as he met me in the hallway, a drink in his hand. “And you shouldn’t be indulging in alcohol.”
“Now, you’re a doctor along with being king of the world?” he teased. At least he was in a decent mood after what he’d been through.
“Doctor. Banker. Corporate mogul.”
“A man of many talents. It’s good to see you, bro.”
I walked closer, trying to find the right words. While the three of us had been close, we’d never taken time to express anything but frustration or anger. Our hot blood was partially the reason, the other that we were all strong alphas.
But there could only be one leader.
“You did good at the restaurant.”
He laughed, the ugly sound echoing in the space. “I fucked up and you know it. At least I managed to save your sorry ass.”
I clapped him on the back and we both headed out to the pool, finding Stavros lounging on a chair, Pops floating in the middle of the water.
“I’m headed to Miami tomorrow morning.” While I’d called the meeting on short notice, I hadn’t provided any details as to why.
“Miami?” Stavros asked. “Why?”
My father remained in the pool, as always, a cigar in his hand. He eyed me warily, taking several puffs. “It would seem the stolen information has been found. Right?”
“As always, an astute man,” I said, half laughing, grateful that Pops seemed completely lucid.
I studied both brothers, curious as to their reactions.
Nico snorted. “After what happened in broad daylight, are you certain heading to another city is in your best interest?”
“It’s his job, Nico,” Pops said, the husky tone in his voice full of uncertainty. “I suggest you remember that.”
