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“Not that I know of. We just had Karim’s birthday party yesterday, and I haven’t been told about any more family events.”
“How would you feel about coming to Mykonos? There’s an event on Friday. A charity gala, and I’d love for you to be my date. It’ll be a great excuse for me to show you around Mykonos over the weekend as well.”
Xava’s tone lightens up a bit. “I think that would be great. I’d love to go. Do I need to fly there, or how will we work out the logistics of travel?”
“I’ll come pick you up Friday morning and will let you know which airport to expect me at. While the jet refuels and gets another safety check, we can go grab breakfast, then head back to Mykonos.”
“That sounds amazing. I’m really excited to see you again.” I can practically see the adorable smile spreading across her face right now, even though she’s over a thousand miles away from me.
A natural smile tugs at my lips, and then I spot movement coming from my right. Linus is approaching me in a bright yellow shirt and classic khaki shorts. It looks like we’re both having a relaxing day. “Likewise. My brother just showed up unannounced. I’ll give you a call later, all right?”
“Okay. Have a good day, and I’ll chat with you later,” Xava says before she hangs up the phone.
I put my phone on the table beside my chair, and my brother comes over, sitting down in the lounge chair beside me. “You usually call before you show up.”
“Now, why would I give you the opportunity to avoid me like you do our father?” Linus has turned his head and is looking right at me.
I cock a brow. “Unlike our father, I actually enjoy speaking with you.”
Linus scoffs and shakes his head. “At least you don’t play the same games with me as you do with him. I’m surprised to see you’re even here. With your track record lately, you’ve been leaving the country more often than not.”
“Mmm, and for good reason. I am curious, though. Why are you here?” There has to be some reason. Linus is either acting as a mediator again, or he has something he wants me to know.
Linus inhales deeply through his nose. “I don’t know how to tell you this, so I’m going to come right out with it. Our father keeps asking me about prospective women to set you up with since you’re so adamant about not moving forward with Zoe Drakos.”
“It won’t matter. I’m not going to see any of the women he wants me to because I’m already dating someone. Plus, Zoe is a much better match for you. We both know that, and how he doesn’t see it is beyond me.”
“You’re seeing someone?” Linus arches his brows in surprise.
“Yes, I am. Someone whose family is powerful in their own right.”
“Are you serious with her, or is this some fling? If it’s a fling, keep her around through the summer and then give in. You’re the one who’s going to end up leading the Organization, Ambros, so you have to pick and choose your battles. I am by no means telling you how to live your life, but trust me, if you want to lead one day, then you need to placate him every once in a while.”
I lick my lips and take a sip of my drink, then sit up and throw my legs over the side of the chair. Linus knows at this point that I’m not screwing around. “Look, I know you’re trying to keep the peace between everyone and all that. I respect you for what you’re trying to do, brother. I really do. However, I will not stand by and let our father dictate every part of my life. His father did that to him all those years ago, and while I understand he believes it’s natural, that it’s what should happen, it isn’t. I’m happy with the woman I’m seeing, and I will be speaking with her to make our relationship official. She is a great match, and I’m sure whenever I bring her around, our father will see that.”
“Mind if I ask who it is?” I don’t think Linus will report the information back to our father, but I have to be sure.
“You can’t breathe a word of this to our father until I’m ready.”
“Okay,” Linus agrees.
“I’m seeing Xava Beno-Umarova, the youngest sister of the Umarova family.”
Linus blinks a couple of times and furrows his brows. I know he’s trying to put their family tree together in his head. He’s never heard of Xava, and a lot of people haven’t. “Isn’t Eset the youngest?”
“Everyone thought so, but no. Xava was a hidden child who was recently introduced to the Umarovas and their world.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Linus is in complete shock. I can’t blame him in the least bit. I would be, too.
“No, I’m not. She’s a good match, a powerful one. But I didn’t pursue her because of who she’s related to. I went after her because I had a connection with her. It hasn’t fizzled out, and I’m going to keep exploring that.”
“I don’t know if I believe what you’re telling me.” Linus chuckles lightly, and I understand where he’s coming from. What he doesn’t know is that I didn’t know who Xava really was when I met her the night of Lom and Emily’s wedding. All she was to me was a gorgeous woman who could hold a great conversation.
“It’s all right. I’m not asking you to. I’ll naturally assume our father is really pressing Zoe, above all the other potential women?”
Linus nods. “He has made up his mind that you’re going to marry Zoe.”
I crack up laughing. “He’s delusional. I’ve told him once I’m not interested, and I’m not. I’ve made my choice, and I’m sticking with that.”
