Page 54 of About Love and Revenge

“Do it.”

I get up, as there is nothing more to say.

As soon as I find out where Orien is, I'll start closing the doors on my past, meaning I'll send each of those responsible to talk to our Creator.

“What will happen to me? Will you let me go?”

I turn to look at him. “You're not going anywhere.”

“I can help. I know many of Dr. Argyros's secrets. Things that maybe not even his family knows. He ran away, didn't he? Maybe I have an idea of where to find him. Can we make a deal?”

It's not what I want, but thinking rationally, if the old assassin is willing to cooperate, he might be of use to me in the near future.

So I try to keep my emotions in check.

I still need the unfortunate man.

Days Later

ATHENS

Despite being certain of Orien's death, I decide not to tell Aristeu until we have formal confirmation that the bones found in the place indicated by Ciro belong to his son.

This should happen over the next few days, so I see no point in causing him pain before then.

I have arranged for a former detective from the capital’s police and a forensic technician to come to the island so they can verify through DNA tests that it's really the boy.

I don't want the police involved. If it turns out that a crime has been committed on the island, they would launch an investigation and then likely establish an international hunt for Argyros. I need him to be off the radar so I can accomplish what I have planned.

So, in the end, my visit to Aristeu ends up being just to check if he needs anything. I think the good man has been in denial for years but that, deep down, he’s always known he would never see his son again.

Milena has been staying with him since I returned to the States with Elina, and it seems that her presence has brought him a breath of life.

I leave the hospital anxious to leave Greece. Elina should be the last person I want to be with, but the truth is, I know that only she can make me forget what’s happened over the last few days. I want to lose myself in her body and allow myself to not think about anything for a few hours.

Feeling, living.

I need a break.

On the flight to New York

I'm overwhelmed.

I've grown used to the guilt of having survived when my family didn’t, but today, in particular, I feel drained.

Before returning home, I stopped in Boston to tell Theo about Orien. He deserved to know that my cousin didn't just turn his back on him, although I'm sure it was painful to find out that it was his father who ordered the death of his best friend.

Looking at everything now, the contract that Leandros made with Naim to sell Elina doesn’t seem so impossible. He thinks he has the right to dictate everyone's lives, and his children are no exception.

Contributing to the state of mind in which I currently find myself, Elina hasn’t responded to my messages or even attempted any kind of communication since I’ve been away.

I try to pretend it doesn't matter.

We agreed to something casual, we both stated that we didn't want to create sentimental bonds, so I can't understand why the hell I'm so bothered.

I’ve done my best not to think about what happened that day in the apartment, but I’ve failed miserably.

My relationships have always been about pleasure, the experience itself, the moment, not caring about anything when it's all over.

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