Page 5 of Slightly Married (Irresistible #2)

I slid into the back seat of the latest Olympus Motors limousine and found myself face-to-face with my cousin.

“What the fuck?” The words escaped before I could stop them. “Matthaios. What are you doing here?”

Matthaios lounged against the opposite seat, his long legs stretched across the spacious interior, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Waiting for you. What does it look like?”

“I don’t mean in the car.” I leaned forward and pulled him into a rough hug before shoving him back. “Why are you working for Michail Athanasiou? And why didn’t you tell any of us?”

The privacy partition hummed as it rose between us and Alexei. Outside, Manhattan’s skyscrapers reflected the late afternoon sun.

“Thought it was time I met my old man.”

A chill settled in my chest. I’d known my cousin all my life. We’d shared childhood summers on Thalassía before it was taken from us, learned to sail together, endured my father’s strict discipline side by side. This expression on his face was new.

“What are you planning?”

“Nothing that concerns you,” Matthaios answered. “So you’re about to be my brother-in-law, huh?”

The car glided to a stop at a red light. “Why didn’t you tell us about Michail’s plans before I flew here?”

“I had no idea about his marriage scheme until I saw you at the house.” He tapped his fingers against the armrest. “He’s been secretive lately, keeping me out of certain meetings.” Annoyance flickered across his face. “We’re finally getting Thalassía back.”

“When your niece or nephew is born,” I answered darkly.

The thought of having a child for the sole purpose of reclaiming Thalassía felt wrong. Years ago, I’d imagined building a family with Elena. When she chose to marry Yiorgos, that dream had withered.

I’d made my peace with it. Santo had naturally filled the role of heir in my mind, the nephew I watched grow up. And Stella had been clear from the beginning that motherhood wasn’t in her plans. A position I’d accepted without reservation.

Now, suddenly, fatherhood wasn’t just possible but contractually required. A child conceived not from love or even mutual desire, but as a bargaining chip. The notion made me uncomfortable.

I studied my cousin’s face. “I take it Theia Irida knows nothing about this?” Irida was my father’s younger sister, Matthaios’ mother and the woman Michail had jilted decades ago.

Matthaios’ jaw tightened. “You know she doesn’t. If she knew I was here, she would be on the first flight to New York.” His voice dropped. “You can’t tell her either. I want to keep my presence here quiet for a bit longer.”

I groaned inwardly, torn between family loyalty and common sense. The car resumed its journey, weaving through the city traffic. “Are you planning to hurt him?”

“His business, sure.” Matt’s voice was matter-of-fact. “And his favorite daughter. I’ll do to them what they did to my mother.”

The chill in my chest spread. “Matt, are you sure this is the way you want to go? Simone has done nothing, and Michail doesn’t even know of your existence.”

I thought of the man whose daughter would soon become my wife. Would things have been different if he’d known of Irida’s pregnancy all those years ago?

Matt’s mouth twisted, his fingers gripping the armrest. “I don’t give a fuck. The fact is, he slept with my mother and fucked off to raise another man’s child.”

The car turned onto Park Avenue, the buildings outside growing larger. I knew I couldn’t reason with him. He had inherited our grandfather’s legendary stubbornness, along with his temper.

“This is bigger than you now,” I said quietly. “Your sister will become my wife.”

Matt’s eyes hardened. “Half-sister,” he corrected.

We rode in tense silence for several blocks, the city lights creating shifting patterns across Matthaios’ face. His features held none of the warmth I remembered.

“You’ve changed,” I finally said.

“We all have.” His gaze remained fixed on the passing buildings. “Your father’s passing, the robbery and now this marriage... Everything changes, Kos. Except for the fact that my father abandoned my mother.”

As the car pulled up to my hotel, Matt straightened his jacket. “I should get back before I’m missed.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I look forward to our family reunion.”

I watched him walk away and wondered how many more casualties this family feud would claim before it was over.

I stood in the bathroom of my suite, unbuttoned my shirt. Dropping the garment onto the heated tile floor, I turned to face the mirror fully, my eyes tracing the jagged scar curving across my ribcage.

My fingers followed the path my eyes had taken, trailing along the raised flesh. Nine months hadn’t been enough to fade the angry red reminder of how quickly life could change.

As if responding to some silent signal, my damaged knee began to throb in sympathy. I bent forward, massaging the joint with firm fingers, working through the familiar ritual of pain management.

“Call Aristides,” I instructed my phone, and the device obediently lit up on the counter beside me.

When the connection clicked through, I heard multiple voices before my eldest brother’s came clearly through the speaker.

“You’re on speaker, Kostas,” Aristides said. “Dimitrios is here with me. We’re assessing the damage at the factory.”

“The fire was contained to the production line,” Dimitrios added. “But we’re looking at weeks of repairs before production can resume.”

“I’ve also secured a bridge loan to cover immediate repairs while we wait for the insurance payout,” I replied. “The interest rate is reasonable, and we won’t touch our emergency reserves.” I shifted gears. “But that’s not why I called.”

I got straight to the point, giving them a full breakdown of the meeting with Michail. “All this is to say, he wants me to marry his daughter in exchange for Thalassía.”

“Don’t do it,” was Aristides’ immediate response.

“Who does he think he is trying to manipulate our family like this?” Dimitrios added.

I straightened, wincing as my knee protested. “You both know I can’t decline.”

“He knows it too.” Frustration edged Aristides’ voice.

“We could find another way,” Dimitrios insisted. Unlike our eldest brother’s rational approach, Dimitrios had always led with his heart. “Perhaps we could challenge the original sale? There must be legal options we haven’t explored.”

“Who makes those kinds of demands?”

“A man who holds all the cards,” I reminded Aristidis, moving into the bedroom where the city lights of Manhattan created a constellation of brightness beyond the tall windows.

“Besides, aren’t you the one who’s always saying family connections matter most, Aris?

Aren’t you wanting Santo to get back with Antonis Tsolakidis’ daughter? ”

“A Christakis-Tsolakidis union would be good for business,” Aris acknowledged, “but I would never force my son into a marriage. And we both know Chrysanthos would rebel if I even hinted at it.”

I smiled at the mention of my nephew’s antics. At twenty-three, Santo marched to his own rhythm with unwavering confidence. Tell him to go left, and he’d probably turn right simply on principle. The boy was stubborn, but still the coolest kid I knew.

I sank onto the edge of the bed, absently rubbing my knee. “I did what needed to be done to honor Baba’s dying wish.”

My brother’s sigh was heavy, carrying across the miles between New York and Athens. “If I had known he would do this, I wouldn’t have asked you to go in my stead.”

“I know.”

“What does his daughter look like?” Dimitrios asked, changing tack.

The image of Kayla from earlier, barefoot and wearing a slip of yellow, came unbidden to my mind. “She’s unlike any other woman I’ve ever met. She’s a bronze version of a temple goddess, as if lovingly handcrafted by Aphrodite herself.”

“You’re in love already?” Amusement colored Aris’ tone.

“Hardly,” I scoffed, then to shift the spotlight away from myself, added, “Matthaios is here in New York and working for Michail.”

“You have to be joking.”

I moved back toward the windows as I recounted the encounter at Michail’s house and the subsequent confrontation in the car.

“I’ll call him as soon as we hang up and find out what’s really going on,” Aristides promised. “In the meantime, I’ll inform Mother and Theia of the wedding.”

I was almost thankful not to be the one breaking the news. Theia Irida wouldn’t be pleased about this marriage to the daughter of the man who’d jilted her.

Dimi voiced my thoughts. “It’s going to be a shit-show.”

Over the next several minutes, we discussed business matters, which provided temporary respite from personal issues. Eventually, I steered the conversation toward lighter ground. “Tell your son he’d better not try to weasel out of giving me my money.”

“Why are you encouraging Chrysanthos to gamble?” My brother demanded. “I’ve been trying to get him to take life more seriously. He needs to grow up.”

I wanted to remind my brother that despite being eighteen years older than Santo, I still enjoyed a good wager now and then, but a soft knock at the door interrupted my speech.

Irritably, I wrapped myself in a plush hotel robe and crossed to the door. Even though I knew my security would have vetted any visitors, I still checked the peephole.

Standing in the hallway was Stella, her honey-blonde hair framing her face in soft waves. She wore a simple white dress paired with delicate gold jewelry. Her overnight Hermès bag hung from one shoulder.

I pulled open the door, though my stomach tightened with dread rather than anticipation. A feeling that had become almost constant since we’d woken up naked after a night of grieving went too far.

“Kostas!” With glowing eyes and a delighted smile, she threw her arms around my neck, rising on tiptoes to kiss me.

I returned the kiss, going through the motions while my mind remained completely detached. Kissing her felt like kissing a stranger.

“Surprise!” she exclaimed after pulling away.

“Stella,” I breathed. “What are you doing here?”

The last time I saw her, she was begging to accompany me to the U.S. I’d refused, telling her this trip was business and required my full attention.

“I thought you might need these,” she said, producing a folder from her bag with a smile. “The notes from your meeting with the Japanese investors? You left them at my place.” She tilted her head. “I could have sent them electronically, but then I thought... why not deliver them personally?”

“Good luck, brother. You’re going to need it,” Aris’ voice came through the forgotten phone, followed by both his and Dimi’s mirth before the line went dead.

Stella stepped into the suite and set her bag down carefully before turning to me with a smile.

“I made your favorite moussaka before I left,” she said as she approached me.

“It’s in the freezer at home, ready for when we get back.

” Her fingers lightly traced the edge of my towel.

“I know how exhausting these trips can be for you.”

“Stella, I told you this was a business trip,” I attempted to admonish her as she stepped closer. “I need to focus without distractions.”

“I’m never a distraction,” she countered softly while her fingers reached toward my chest. I caught her hand before it made contact.

“We need to talk,” I said, stepping back to establish an appropriate distance between us. I’d intended to have this conversation when I returned to Greece, but addressing it now would be better.

She frowned. “That sounds serious.”

“It is.” I gestured toward the sitting area of the hotel suite. “Please sit.”

Once we were seated across from each other, I began with the facts. “An opportunity to reclaim Thalassía has presented itself, and I intend to pursue it.”

“What opportunity?” Wariness crept into her voice.

“The current owner is willing to return the island to my family under specific conditions.” I paused, ensuring my tone remained even. “He wants me to marry his daughter.”

Her expression froze. “What?”

“Her name is Kayla.” Speaking it aloud felt strange. “It will be a strictly business arrangement with clear terms and a deadline.”

“What about us?” Confusion clouded her features as she leaned forward. “Our wedding?”

I spent the remainder of the evening explaining the complexities of the situation, carefully addressing each of her concerns. Though her initial shock was evident, I assured her my marriage to Kayla wouldn’t change our plans.

By the time she fell asleep, her anxieties had eased.