Page 122 of Thorns of Silence

Her daughter?There must be some misunderstanding.

“Do you want to hear my plan or not, Leone?” Lykos demanded. “You can have Phoenix in your sight in the next two hours, or you can be a reckless dick and run around, exposed. Your choice.”

I studied him warily. Trust among criminals was a delicate thing, but my need for Nix outweighed it all. Without her, I might as well find a way to end this miserable life.

“I’m all ears.”

And fuck if he didn’t lay it on me thick. Nix was in trouble. In more ways than one.

FORTY-SEVEN

PHOENIX

Sunrises and sunsets bathing the hills in hues of gold, white-washed houses with their blue shutters and roofs, cobblestone streets, amazing food and even kinder people. Greece was heaven on earth.

It was too cold to swim in February, but I found a job giving piano lessons to one of the locals—a wealthy businessman—who allowed Skye to come along with me. It also gave his daughter Aria time to bond with Skye.

The Costello residence was about twenty minutes from Athens and had the most breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea.

Mr. Lykos Costello was even generous enough to allow us to use his indoor pool, but I only took him up on it when he wasn’t home. Skye and Aria bonded while playing and splashing happily.

Four weeks had slipped away since landing in this country. I’d spent the time consumed in getting to know my daughter, with long walks on the beach and enjoying the flavors of Greek cuisine.

The day was warm and the sun glimmering through the windows made it feel like summer in this glass-enclosed space. I lounged by the indoor pool in a one-piece bathing suit, my hair pulled into a messy updo and my feet in the water as I watched my daughter’s face beam with happiness.

Aria had picked up sign language effortlessly in the weeks since we’d been coming.

It was sheer luck that I spotted an ad in the paper, in English at that, seeking a tutor. The rest was history.

I sensed someone’s presence and turned my head to see Mr. Lykos in the doorway dressed in a three-piece suit, pressed to perfection. Polished Rolex and cufflinks. The glow from the sunrays cast him in lighter shades as his serious gaze took me in.

I shifted, a little self-conscious at being caught in such an exposed state despite the permission he’d given me. The man was the definition of a silver fox, and I had a feeling if Athena spotted him, she’d melt into a puddle of want. She had a thing for older men.

His gaze flickered with something akin to dry amusement.

“Having fun?” His English was impeccable, and so were his manners. His eyes drifted over my face, almost as if studying me in the same manner I was studying him. He was handsome in a brooding kind of way. I’d never seen a man with such thick, wavy dark hair and piercing eyes. His chiseled jaw sported a subtle five o’clock shadow and his broad shoulders were prominent. He could have easily been a model in his past life, if not for the raw power rolling off his taut frame. He wasn’t exactly trim, but he wasn’t bulky either. Just the right kind of physique to get your heart racing.

Sadly, my heart was broken, and it didn’t respond to this man. Only one seemed to make it stir to life.

The smirk on his face when he met my gaze told me my staring didn’t go unnoticed, and I blushed all the way to my roots.

I jumped to my feet and reached for my cover-up and phone, typing my reply as he approached me.I hope you don’t mind. We wanted to swim for a bit after piano lessons.

His eyes dimmed to something warm as he looked over at the girls frolicking in the pool. “Of course not. I offered for a reason. I’m glad Aria’s getting some socialization. She and your daughter get along really well.”

I nodded. “Thank you,” I signed.

There were only a handful of gestures he’d learned, but I appreciated it anyway. It was a major pain to type every single response out.

“You should consider staying here,” he offered for the second time. “It’ll save you money, and Aria will have the company of a girl her own age.”

I flushed, lowering my gaze to my phone, then typed my response.It’s a very generous offer, but we’re good. Thank you for giving me the job.

I might have not grown up around Papà, but I always sensed the ruthless aura surrounding him. Mr. Lykos had that same darkness. I was desperate for a job, so I snatched the opportunity, but I had no intention of getting too close to him.

I caught Skye’s attention and waved her over. “It’s time to go home.” Both girls frowned. “We’ll see each other next week,” I said, attempting to ease the blow.

Mr. Lykos’s hand came to my shoulder and I turned to him.