Page 68 of About Love and Revenge

“Are you okay?" he asks when I’m finished, and I think about how good my brother is. Theo did the right thing by leaving Greece. Our family didn't deserve him.

"Yes, I am. Me and Odin . . . We are together."

He goes silent, and I know it's from surprise. "Together . . . as a couple?"

"Yeah."

"Do you actually want to be there, or did you have no choice?"

“He offered me a job, and after that . . . things just happened. But I want to stay here."

"You know you can count on me anytime, don't you?"

“Thanks for that, but that's not why I called. Odin told me about Orien . . . Theo, I'm sorry."

He doesn't speak for a while, and I don't know what to do. I've never needed to comfort anyone but myself.

"Did he tell you everything?"

"No. Only that Orien never left the island."

"It was Leandros, Elina. Our father killed Orien."

Somehow, discovering that still shocks me. I’ve never doubted that my father is a bad man, but I didn't think he could go so far as to take someone's life. He beat all his children, but there's a big difference between physical assault and murder.

“It wasn't your fault,” I say because I know he must be thinking this.

“In a way it was, because my proximity to Orien made him a target for Leandros."

“I don't know what to say, Theo."

“Don't worry. I talked to Derek about it a lot. I'm a little better now. I have to go. I'm glad you called. Don't be a stranger."

"Okay."I don't want to hang up yet, but I don't know how to ask him to stay with me a little longer. “Theo, I'm glad you found someone who loves you."

“Me too." He pauses again. “Elina, I know things between us have been awkward over the years, but you are my sister and I love you. If Odin does anything to hurt you, just call me and I'll find a way to get you out of there."

“He's not like that with me, Theo. We're good."

“He hates Leandros, Elina. I don't want you to be used as a weapon against our father."

Maybe I’m being naïve, but I feel in my heart that it won’t be like that. Even if our relationship didn't involve feelings, Odin wouldn't use me to get to Leandros.

"Don't worry about me. If I feel that I'm being used, I'll look for you."

“I want your word on this."

“You have it." I take a deep breath to build up courage. "Theo?"

"Yes?"

"I love you too."

A week later

I'm still here.

I've been trying so hard not to get used to staying, and last night I even asked him directly when I would be leaving his house.

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