Page 24 of About Love and Revenge

I put on a light dress with long sleeves. Even though one side of my face is bruised and the corner of my mouth is cut, I manage to disguise the injuries with some makeup. I've seen my mother do this countless times. She has become an expert at touching up her own body and facial bruises with concealer.

I untangle my hair, and after setting the brush down on the dresser, I start walking towards the door, until I hear a knock.

My heart races.

He wouldn't dare come into my room.

Why can't he just wait downstairs like a gentleman?

But a voice in the back of my mind says that Odin Lykaios doesn't follow the rules of social convention, and despite his expensive clothes, underneath he hides a primal side.

In any normal situation, I would stand up to him, but I don't have the energy for another fight right now, so with no alternative, I say, “Come in.”

Odin

CHAPTER NINE

I don't knowif I should go up to her room, but I've been waiting over two hours and my patience has reached its limit.

I feel like she's running away from me, but who can blame her?

One thing that fascinates me is that even though she was so vulnerable, not for a single moment did she show any shame. She was nearly naked, her nightgown torn, bruised, but she still stared at me the entire time. I can't help but admire her courage and the way she stood up to Naim.

Gradually, the Elina I thought I knew takes on a new shape before my eyes, and I constantly have to remind myself that she has the blood of the Argyros family running through her veins.

As I walk to meet her, I tell myself I just want to make sure everything's okay, but I know that's a lie.

I've already talked to the doctor and found out what I needed about her physical condition. However, the urge to see her hasn’t gone away.

The door is closed, and I knock just once before I hear her voice inviting me in. As soon as I'm in the room, I'm once again struck by her unique blend of beauty and strength.

I've never met a woman as complex as Elina.

I expected to see tear marks on her face. Anyone—I think I can eveninclude men—who had been through such a stressful situation would be defeated by now. She seems unalterable, at least on the outside.

The light pink, silk, knee-length dress is modest compared to the pattern that I'm used to on women I want, but honestly, she could be wearing a potato sack and it would still be perfect. I can tell she's probably chosen one with sleeves to hide the marks of the violence she's just suffered.

The memory of how she was in danger makes my blood pump fiercely again, and I move closer to where she is. Elina doesn't move or give any indication that she's afraid, which, in a strange way, suits me. I remember her terrified face when she was cornered by Naim.

I'm invading her personal space, inside her room, but I can't think clearly. There's something about her that pulls me in over and over again, as if my body can’t obey my mind's commands.

When I am about two feet from her, I realize she's covered the bruises on her face with makeup. I can still see the dark marks on her porcelain skin, as well as on the left corner of her mouth, which is cut.

I reach out and, with the tip of my thumb, touch her face where it's injured.

She keeps looking into my eyes and doesn't pull away.

Elina awakens strange things in me. I don't want to feel protective of a woman, least of all an Argyros, but apparently that's not up to me.

“The doctor said you'll need more tests.”

She looks up proudly. “No.”

I drop my hand and put it in my pants pocket. It's the only way to keep me from touching her again. “Elina, your head has been bruised.”

“I don’t want to go. You promised to give us a week.”

“I could arrange for you to go to Athens today and be back by tonight.”

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