Page 75 of The Arrogant's Surrender

"You’re making me nervous," she says, straddling me so we’re face-to-face.

"I’m not a diplomat, Brooklyn, and I don’t know how to tell you this except to be blunt."

"Please do. Anything is better than this suspense."

I spend the next few minutes telling her everything I’ve discovered about Jordan—the man she knows as Moses—and the woman who was both his partner in crime and his lover.

When I finish, Brooklyn climbs off my lap, pacing back and forth anxiously. "This doesn’t sound real; it sounds like fiction, Athanasios."

I can’t help but agree, though I keep that opinion to myself—it wouldn’t help to show how angry I am at that bastard.

"We’re in danger until she’s caught, aren’t we?"

"Come here, Brooklyn," I say, extending my hand.

She hesitates for a few seconds before taking it, but when she does, I pull her to sit sideways on my lap.

"I don’t want to make this harder for you, because as I said earlier, I’m terrible with words. But I also can’t be anything but honest. From the moment you got involved with Jordan, you’ve been in danger without knowing it. But here’s my promise: no one will hurt you again."

"I need more than that. I want my children and the rest of the family to be safe."

"Consider it done. Even if I have to hire an army, that woman will never get near you again."

The Next Day

"Odin?"

"Athanasios, how are you?"

"I’m fine, but I’d like to speak with you in person. When would be a good time?"

"Did something happen with Brooklyn? We still haven’t found our target," he says, avoiding naming Shelley Edward, though I know that’s who he’s referring to.

"It’s not about that. It’s personal, but it concerns only me."

"Alright. I’m heading to Greece with my wife for a short off-season vacation. My cousin Christos and his wife Zoe will be in New York, taking care of my kids for a few days. Once I’m back, we can meet. I’d prefer it to be at one of my offices for security reasons."

"No problem. Send me the address. I just need a set date so I can coordinate it with my hospital schedule."

Brooklyn

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Eight Days Later

"That damned bastard!"Eleanor exclaims, and Madison and I exchange surprised glances.

Our stepmother is a sweet person and rarely passes judgment on anyone, but she now looks ready to commit murder.

After the night I spent at Athanasios's house, I called my sister and told her everything I knew about Moses—or rather, Jordan. Madison told me that Zeus had already spoken to her about it but they hadn’t told me anything to give Athanasios the chance to explain it himself.

We decided to wait before telling Eleanor the truth so as not to worry her unnecessarily. The plan was only to clarify the true identity of the father of my children and explain what Athanasios and the Kostanidis brothers believe happened the night he died, once that woman—whom I now know is named Shelley—was caught.

However, days have passed, and nothing has changed. There’s still no sign of her, so we decided it was time to let Eleanor know the truth.

"I hope he’s burning in hell," she continues.

"I’m sure he is," Madison replies.

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