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I hang up the video call with Yuri. We spent over an hour discussing strategies for my brands during the worldwide crisis.

The only pending issue is canceling the on-site fashion shows. We’ve decided to broadcast them live, but until we’re sure how the global health safety issue will play out, I don’t want crowds gathered or mass contamination.

The lockdown did not affect my profits at all. People continue to buy, but maybe, if this goes on, the fashion sector will feel the impact, of course. Why buy clothes if you don’t have to leave the house? Even I, who haven’t worn jeans on weekdays in years, have turned them into a sort of home uniform, along with long-sleeved black shirts.

Bare feet, however. No socks or shoes.

I have to admit that, after spending most of my adult life in suits or blazers, it’s a relief to be able to wear more casual clothes. I didn’t even realize how much I missed it until I was forced to stay home.

Slowing down is not my style—I am my father’s son, after all. Work always comes first. But having Zoe with me and only one maid, who lives as a housekeeper on the property and comes twice a week, has made me review my philosophy regarding various sectors of my life .

Instead of dining at fancy restaurants, we sometimes eat sandwiches or share buckets of popcorn while watching movies.

Hot tub baths, swimming naked in the pool at dawn, having sex in the middle of the day, chatting.

Things that, even with all the luxury I could afford in my adult life, I never enjoyed, or if I did, it was always with a time limit because I was always after my next million.

More contracts, more money, and inside me, emptiness.

However, I have no doubt that this peace I feel is because I am with her. I can’t imagine being isolated with anyone else without this freaking me out—not even my parents. But with Zoe, I enjoy every minute of it.

It was a physical attraction that brought us together. But once we met again, there was so much more involved. I want her, not because of the past or because I want a second chance. I want her for today.

For that, however, I need to exterminate one weed: Mike Howard.

Beau still hasn’t been able to find out anything about his whereabouts, which is no small feat since my friend has multiple contacts that society calls outlaws .

So, I only have one last card left. Someone I didn’t want to involve.

My cousin, who is like a younger brother: Odin Lykaios.

Howard’s reckoning will be unconventional , so I didn’t want the family involved. After all, Odin has his own demons to fight, but I don’t see any other option. As certain as the sun will rise, the bastard who tried to kill Zoe won’t get away with what he did.

And who else could locate him besides the man who owns the largest technology company in the country? We’re in the 21st century; there are cameras everywhere and nowhere to hide—unless you are dead or have been held prisoner in some basement. Otherwise, you’ll leave a trail.

Odin and I met as adults. A mutual friend pointed out that our surnames were the same, which ended up piquing my interest because it’s not even a very common name in Greece.

What are the chances of two CEOs with Lykaios as a last name? Small, I would say.

To make a long story short, we found out we are distant cousins.

Dad was delighted to be reunited with a relative. When he arrived in the United States more than thirty years ago, he lost touch with the rest of the Greek part of the family.

However, the friendship between the two of us was not easy at first. We’re both distrustful and aloof men. I have no doubt that Odin ran a background check on me just as I did him.

I find his contact information on my list and touch the screen with my finger.

“, did something happen?” he asks as soon as he answers.

We have in common the fact that we’re direct people, no fussing around.

“Besides the seemingly doomed end of the world?”

“The vaccine will come soon. We’ll have it in record time. But I’m sure it wasn’t to talk about the future of the planet that you called me.”

“No. I need you to find someone for me.”

“The man who burned your girlfriend’s house down?”

“I don’t even know why I call you or Beau. We could save time and talk telepathically.”

“Beau?”

“Forget it; I said too much.”

“You know I won’t. I never forget anything.”

“Seriously, Odin. He’s not someone you should know.”

“You’re talking like an older brother. I’m already a big boy.”

“By the way, how’s the negotiation going to buy that Greek island?”

“Technically, it’s already mine, but I’m going to have to delay my plans a little until this shit is over.”

“You talked about the vaccine. Any idea when it will be ready?”

“In a few months,” he says, with reassuring confidence. I have no doubt he has access to privileged information. “When I have news about the motherfucker, I’ll let you know.”

“Don’t you need any additional information about him?”

Odin gives one of his rare laughs. “I am the one who presents the world with information, cousin. Not the one who seeks it.”

“So, we’ll have to get tested before we go visit your parents?”

“Yes, and so will they. I don’t know if it’s necessary because none of us is leaving the house, but the doctors said it’s a safety protocol. Is it okay for you?”

“Of course. I’m not afraid. I just wish I could see my family, too.”

“My cousin told me today that the vaccine won’t take long.”

“I hope not. Today I called the insurance company to ask what will be done about my parents’ house, not about mortgages, of course. There is nothing to be done on that front. They don’t owe us anything, but the bank does—the house was taken by the institution. Twice.”

“Why did they need to mortgage a second time?”

“Mom got sick again before I started making money from modeling. Even though my career took off very fast, it wasn’t enough.”

“I can take care of it.”

“No. You’re already doing too much. I’ll pay with . . .” She stops, and her eyes widen. “Is the contract still standing? I’m asking because we won’t be doing that shoot you wanted in Greece anytime soon.”

“Yes, it’s off for now. We’ll find a way around it.” He looks at me strangely.

“What?”

“I do not know what you’re talking about.”

“It looked like you were going to say something, then cut yourself off.”

“You once accused me of being too straightforward, so here you go: Greece was an excuse. I wanted time alone with you. Isolated, where you couldn’t run away.”

“Even though I was still married?”

“My assistant said there were rumors that you were splitting up.”

She nods, but the corner of her mouth is turned up, hiding a smile.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re smiling because of me and not for me?”

She sits on my lap. “Let’s say it’s both.”

“May I know why?”

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking. A CEO, king of the world, making excuses to take me to a deserted island . . .”

“It’s not deserted; we have over a hundred employees there. ”

“Don’t ruin my dream. As I was saying, a powerful CEO . . .”

I roll my eyes. “Jump to the conclusion, woman. My ego doesn’t need to be massaged.”

“Maybe you’re not ready for what I’m about to say, Lykaios.”

“I’m tough. Say it.”

“You were crazy about me. You just wouldn’t admit it.”

I pull her by her ass, settling her on my cock. “Fifty percent correct.”

“Where did I go wrong?”

“The tense of the verb. I’m still crazy about you, Zoe.”