Althaia nods. “He did, but he eventually came around when I was pregnant with Balthazar. It was my mother’s doing. She made it clear that the distance between us was over. It had been two years since we had last spoken. Mother made him realize that I was happy and well taken care of, and with their grandchild on the way, he would truly regret missing out on knowing him.”
“It’s a beautiful story, Althaia, but what does that have to do with me leaving,” I ask, looking into her eyes.
Althaia giggles. “Honey, you are married to a Kourakos now. I know my Alistair can be a little...ahem, you know what I mean, but he has a heart of gold, and I’m not just saying this because he is my son. When GeeGee called and told me what he did for you and Devyn, I knew the two of you must have touched his heart in some kind of way. Hailey, I know you’re scared, but let Alistair help you. Him bringing you here is to keep you and Devyn safe. I didn’t have to hear whatever he told you over the phone, but I can guess it was to stay put. Whether you love him or not, hate or dislike him, you are his wife now. Yes, he went about it in his own Alistair way, but he will not let you go. I see the way my son looks at you. It is the same way his father used to look at me when we were younger. All I ask is that you be patient with him and know that he has you and Devyn’s safety at the forefront of his mind.”
I stare deeply into her eyes, searching for some type of dishonesty in her words. When I don’t see any, I lower my head and nod. No one, and I mean no one, has given Devyn nor me, the hospitality or feeling of safety Alistair and his family has. For the sake of Devyn, I will stay. But, once it’s safe for us to continue to California, we’ll thank them and be on our way.
“I won’t try to leave again,” I assure Althaia, who smiles, and gives me a hug.
“Thank God! I would hate to see the side of Alistair that would come out if you did,” she said.
“Well shit, how many sides does this man have,” I wonder to myself. “Ummm Althaia, please don’t take this the wrong way, but is Alistair really...” I twirl my finger by the side of my head.
Althaia falls into a fit of laughter. Once she gets herself together, after wiping a tear from her eye, she replies, “Heaven’s no. Is he a bit unorthodox about certain things, yes? You may not believe it, but Alistair is very intelligent. Actually, both of my boys are. When they were younger, we had their IQ’s tested and they both scored extremely high. Both are whiz’s when it comes to business, which is why they are very successful at it. Listen Hailey, just get to know him, I mean really get to know him. Alistair is a good man, and if he chose you to be his wife, he’ll show you nothing but love and dedication. And that goes for Devyn too.” She pats my knee. “I’m going to let you get some rest. GeeGee should be bringing Devyn back soon.”
As she stands to leave, I reach for her hand. “Thank you.”
Althaia bends down and gives me another hug. “You’re welcome, sweetie. Now, get some rest. Your husband will be here in the morning.”
I nod and smile at her when she lets me go. She returns the gesture before exiting the room, leaving me with my thoughts. My husband, the intelligent madman. I’m married to a man who not only saved Devyn and me but has vowed to protect us at all costs. Maybe being married to Alistair wouldn’t be so bad. The man is very attractive...in a crazy way. When he took off his mask the first night we met, I thought he was handsome, with his soft brown eyes, olive skin, neatly trimmed beard and mustache, and tapered low haircut. The dark clothes he had on did nothing to hide his toned physique. If I had to guess, I would say Alistair is around six foot, if not more. He’s a total package, but his “unorthodox” ways give me pause. Now that he and Devyn have developed a bond, leaving could cause more harm for the both of us. The only way I see this working out, is if I use my crazy against him. Plus, he and I need to have a conversation about his businesses. Just from seeing Zar’s and his parent’s homes, the private jet, and the vehicles, I could tell that they were well off, but how exactly did they come into this wealth?