Page 92 of About Love and Revenge

“You raise horses.”I look back and see him watching me. I can't guess what he’s thinking, though. I am overwhelmed with the excitement of seeing these beautiful animals.

“I told you I loved horses too, remember?”

I nod and stop to pet a brown-spottedAppaloosa. “Can we ride them? I would very much like to ride.”

He comes up behind me, stopping a few steps away. “That's why I brought you here.” There's something in his voice that makes me look back at him. “Do you miss home?”

“The island itself, no. I'm enjoying living in New York, but I miss my companions.”

“Companions?”

“Horses have always been my best friends.”

“You choose your friends well.”

I look back at him and give him a crooked smile. “Some people might disagree with that.”

“Oh, Elina. Always provocative. What am I going to do with you?”

I don't answer because I'm already distracted talking to my new best friend. “Are they okay?”

“Who?”

“My horses from home . . . fromyourhome, I mean. You were in Greece. The video Naim sent me was from our island.”

“They are. I personally went to check on them.”

"Did you ride them?"

“No, I didn't have the time.” He pauses as if deciding something. "Would you like to visit them sometime in the future?"

“Would you take me?” And then I give myself a mental punch. “I mean, I can go alone,” I lie, trying to maintain my dignity. I've never been on a plane without someone by my side, and given my . . . problem, I'm afraid of getting lost.

“Yes, if you want to go, I'll take you.”

I look to see if he's telling the truth. I think he is. “Why are you so good to me?”

He takes a step back. “Don’t fool yourself. I'm not a good man, Elina.”

I'm silent for a while, thinking about what he’s said. I think he is.

Maybe not perfect, but he's a good man.

I've never seen Odin mistreat anyone or even raise his voice. He doesn’t need to. People naturally obey him.

Unlike my father, who barely spoke to his employees beyond the essentials, Odin seems to see each and every one of them.

His men respect him.

“What are you thinking?”

“That you don't have a very high opinion of yourself.”

“Maybe because I know myself better than anyone else.”

“Perhaps. Or maybe because you don't know yourself at all.”

I remember what Zoe told me about asking about his past and the problem with Leandros.

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