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Ares

CHAPTER THIRTY

"What?"

"Are you more shocked by my family's invitation than me wanting to choose which panties you're going to wear, Serenity?"

"I don't . . . um . . . I never . . . I don't think I know how to deal with so many people together."

Now I'm the one who's fucking surprised. "You perform on stages all over the world, capturing the audience's undivided attention for hours."

"None of those people see me. They only see the dancer, not Serenity. I'm not good at this whole interacting with strangers thing."

"You don't want to go?"

"Why would I go? I don't know them. They are your family. That would only complicate things."

Is she scared of a simple lunch? Something in my chest contracts. "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm not afraid. I just don't think it's appropriate."

"As I said before, that ‘appropriate’ line has already been crossed."

"And will it continue to be pushed farther and farther?"

"I don't understand."

"Will you kiss me again? I assume so, since you stole my panties."

"I didn't steal your panties. The others looked like grandma ones. In fact, I'm doing you a favor. I'll give you a complete new collection of lingerie."

"That sounds kind of perverted."

"What do you know about perversion?"

"Not much, but I've read about fetishes," she says, lowering her tone. From the noise in the background, I assume she's getting into the car with the driver.

"Where are you?"

"Leaving dance school."

I take advantage of the opportunity to change the subject. Thinking about Serenity and fetishes at the same time is a guarantee of an untimely erection. "On a Saturday?"

"I practice every day."

"Do you intend to do this forever?"

"I don't know. Debra said I need to vary my activities a little, but I don't want to lose focus."

I know that she has visited several places since I went away, but I also know that her mentor accompanied her the entire time.

"I'm taking you to Greece for a week as soon as you have a break between performances."

"What?"

I know I shouldn't, but I don't own SIN for nothing. I am a sinner and also a hedonist. I want Serenity on my island, swimming on my private beach. "I'm taking you on a trip."

"Just the two of us?"

"Do you want to bring anyone else?"

"No. Just the two of us sounds perfect."

"Even if I have nothing to offer later?"

"I'm not saying we'll go as a couple, Ares. Don't jump to conclusions."

That should make me feel relieved, but on the contrary, it irritates me. "Be ready at ten, tomorrow morning."

"I thought we were going for lunch."

"Yes, but my brother's mother-in-law likes to get everyone together around ten, and then we only leave there late at night."

"Ares, I don't know if I should go."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to get used to you. If the two of us fight or decide to keep everything on a professional basis..."

"You have my word that I will never send you away."

"You can't promise me that."

"Yes, I can. You are ours now, Serenity."

"It sounds like you’re in the mafia."

"Exactly. There is no way out of the Kostanidis clan."

"I won't care if one day I have to walk away. I have Debra and JeAnne."

"And me."

"I don't have you. No one has you, Ares. You were very clear about that. Well, if you think I won't get in the way, I'll come."

"Be ready at ten."

"You already said that, Uncle Ares. Oops, I can't call you that anymore. No uncle would steal his niece's panties."

She hangs up before I can respond, and despite the depressing situation of the last few days, I feel lighter than I remember ever feeling before.

Oh, Serenity, what am I going to do with you?

First, stay away , the voice of reason warns.

However, I know it's too late. What I told her is true. We have crossed the forbidden bridge, and it will only get worse once she is among my family. Whatever happens, Serenity is ours.

The next day

The driver pulls into the garage of my building, but before he can get to my door to open it, I'm already outside. I don't like the feeling of anxiety, but that's exactly how I feel as I walk to the elevator.

I look at the dashboard, as if my mind can make it go faster. I took a shower during the flight because if we don't hurry, we will be late. Eleanor is a great person, but she hates us being late.

I reach out to touch the fingerprint ID to open her door but immediately recoil when I remember that this is Serenity's house and, here, I'm a guest. Either way, I feel pathetic ringing the doorbell.

I hear footsteps and a laugh, then seconds later, the door opens, but it's not Serenity who is in front of me. It’s a blond boy as tall as me: fucking Otis Schulz.

"What are you doing here?" I growl.

"Ares." Serenity appears behind his shoulder, a little awkwardly. "This is Otis. He just arrived in the United States. He wanted to surprise me. Otis, this is my guardian, Ares Kostanidis."

I step forward without waiting for her to invite me in and without looking away from him. "You wanted to surprise her? She might not have been home."

He shrugs without smiling. Like me, he doesn't seem very happy to see me. "I would have found something else to do. Manhattan is very nice."

“It's a shame she's leaving,” I say, approaching Serenity and placing a hand on the back of her neck. I feel her shudder, and the territorial son of a bitch in me is satisfied.

"Couldn't he come with us?" she asks.

"What?"

"Otis has to catch his flight back tonight."

"Did you come to the United States to see her just for one day?"

"She's worth it," the jerk says, giving Serenity a wink.

"Otis came to take a course. He's not in the country because of me. But yes, he came to see me in New York, even if just for a day. Do you think your brother's mother-in-law would mind another guest?"

Lie , the demon inside me says, but I can’t do that to Eleanor.

"No."

Serenity smiles, and I wonder why she doesn't show that enthusiasm for me. I was away for almost four days.

"You can come, but by cab," I tell him.

"What?" Serenity looks confused.

"You're coming with me on a motorcycle, Serenity. There is no room for discussion."