Page 34

I smileas I watch Eleanor serving Hades, Ares, and Dionysus, Zeus's brothers.
Jesus, that's a lot of testosterone in one room! All of them are alpha males, but each has their own unique traits.
Zeus is an incredible figure. Rational and analytical—until Madison speaks. The moment my sister voices even the smallest of her desires, he transforms into every woman's dream man.
Ares, whom Madison told me manages a nightclub called SIN—where she worked and met Zeus—is sarcastic and sardonic, but only to a casual observer. His eyes are serious, scrutinizing.
Dionysus, who has a little son, Joseph, adored by Silas and Soraya, is the most "normal" of the lot, but when he speaks, there's no doubt he shares his brothers' controlling temperament. He’s asked me millions of questions, from what I plan to do in the future to details about the night I was attacked.
He showed no shame in making me relive that nightmarish evening. I've realized that for men like Athanasios and the Kostanidis brothers, the ends justify the means.
At one point during dinner, Ares joked about Joseph's nanny not being there, and Dionysus's mood soured in an instant.
I glance at the last member of the clan, Hades, who I’ve since learned was the one who asked Athanasios to handle my case.
He gives me chills. Not because of anything he’s said—like his brothers, he seems to consider me part of the family—but because he exudes pain. Pain so intense that it reaches me. Not the kind that evokes pity, but rather a pain dulled by a layer of anger, which suits his name.
I’ve studied Greek mythology because I’ve always been fascinated by history.
It’s interesting that their parents chose the names of Olympian gods for their sons.
Zeus, the god of thunder; Ares, the god of war; Dionysus, the god of revelry and madness; and finally, Hades, the god of the dead.
I think of the Greek who left earlier, the one who steals my attention and thoughts, even against my will.
Athanasios.
I looked up his name. It means "immortal."
It’s a myth, of course, but it suits him as well: arrogant and invincible.
I don’t understand at all why he left earlier today, and I almost asked him to stay. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my father after years of disappointments, it’s this: never beg for someone’s attention.
It doesn’t work. No one stays with you against their will, and asking will only tear your self-esteem apart.
“Do you plan to go back to your old job, Brooklyn?” Dionysus asks, pulling me back to reality.
I almost smile. It’s no surprise that they know about my former profession. Honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if they even knew my shoe size.
“Yes, but Athana—” I begin, and when I see his raised eyebrow, I feel my face heat up. “Dr. Athanasios said I’ll have to wait for a while, though. I can’t spend all day on my feet like I used to until I’m fully recovered.”
He nods.
“Speaking of which, why didn’t your doctor stay for dinner?” Eleanor asks.
“I have no idea. And he’s not my doctor. Not anymore. He transferred me to another neurologist.”
My stepmother frowns in confusion, and I silently pray she doesn’t ask for further explanation, because as Athanasios rightly pointed out, I’m a terrible liar.
“It doesn’t matter,” she continues, probably sensing my discomfort. “There will be other opportunities. I’d love to host a dinner for him and his parents here. He told me his mother, like me, loves parties.”
I open and close my mouth several times before managing to form a sentence. “He said that? When did he speak to you?”
“Every time I visited you while you were still in a coma. At first, he was quieter, like the guys here,” she says, laughing and gesturing toward the Kostanidis brothers. I’ve noticed they all treat Eleanor like a maternal figure, despite the short time they’ve known her. Madison told me the brothers lost both parents. “But you know how I am—I’ll chat with streetlights if no one else is around. Eventually, he caved.”
I shake my head, smiling, because that’s so her: bringing people together, uniting families, being the glue that holds broken people like me and my sister together. Giving love unconditionally, without expecting anything in return.
“I don’t know if Athanasios”—I throw pretense to the wind and call him by his first name—“will want to bring his parents for dinner.”