Page 167 of Safe and Sound

He smiled. “I’m your cousin, Ares. Christos’s son.”

“You are?”

When he extended his hand, I eyed it suspiciously, which caused Ares to chuckle. “It’s just a simple handshake, Ava.”

“You kidnapped my daughter. Nothing is simple with you.”

“You’re very astute for someone who didn’t grow up in the mafia.”

“Anaginoskein anthro¯pous,” I replied.

The corners of his lips quirked. “The gift of reading people.”

“Exactly.”

Leaning back in his seat, Ares asked, “What else can you read about me?”

“Your father obviously trusts you very much.”

“That is true.”

“He shouldn’t.”

Ares’s blue eyes flared. “I beg your pardon.”

“You loathe him for what he did to your mother. If I had to guess, you’re biding your time.”

As Ares stared me down, I wondered if I’d gone too far. I was desperately trying to play off the animosity I’d seen in him when he spoke of his father’s role in his mother’s death.

“Biding my time for what?”

“To take over the Trakos family.”

“And where do you fit in with that picture?”

“Far away with my husband and daughter.”

“You have no aspirations to take your rightful place as head of the family.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why?”

“You’re seriously asking me that?”

“It’s a plausible question, isn’t it? There is a vast amount of wealth to be had by becoming head of the family.”

Once again, I reached out for the right words to say. “I think my inheritance isn’t worth as much as you say it is.”

His jaw clenched. “I’m afraid you’re showing your ignorance.”

“Am I?”

“I’m sure your husband told you we were one of the most powerful families in Greece.”

“Power can be built on illusion.”

Leaning forward in his seat, Ares said, “Keep reading, Ava.”

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