Page 97 of The Arrogant's Surrender

“You’ve already done enough by sending bodyguards to watch over us. Zeus can handle the rest.”

“No.” I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, signaling the end of that discussion. “I spoke to the doctor I assigned to you. He said everything’s fine.”

“Yes, I’m better. Don’t worry. I think I was just in shock because I didn’t expect Shelley to call me. When she told me on the phone that she regretted not being able to take care of my babies while I was in a coma, I panicked.”

Tired of this mutual torture, I pull her into my arms. “That’s not going to happen, Brooklyn. She’ll never get near you or the kids. We’re working to have her arrested as soon as possible.”

“I’m not going to live like a prisoner, Athanasios. I’m scared, but I won’t let her scare us like this. I won’t cage my children just because that miserable woman thinks she can play with my life.”

“Just follow the security protocols.”

“I will. I promise. Don’t worry.”

“Have dinner with me tomorrow.”

“I don’t think . . .”

“It’s time we talk, Brooklyn. Delaying it won’t change anything. I’m going to pursue you. I won’t give up on you.”

I might be going crazy, but I think she’s hiding a smile.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” she says, evading giving me an answer.

“No, I know my way out. Get some rest. You’ve been on your feet too long. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at eight.”

I kiss her forehead and prepare to leave, but she pulls me back and wraps her arms around my neck.

She rises on her tiptoes, her lips brushing against my jawline.

“What do you want, Brooklyn?” I ask, completely forgetting where we are. “You’re sending me mixed signals. I swear I’m trying to keep my temper in check, but I’m not made of steel.”

“Kiss me.”

I walk her until her back meets the wall. With one hand around her waist and the other cupping her neck, I press ourlips together, intending to give her a quick kiss. But the moment I feel her soft, warm mouth against mine and hear her quiet sounds of pleasure, all my plans crumble.

What was meant to be a simple goodbye turns into an unrelenting demand. Minutes later, when we finally part, her cheeks are flushed, and her lips are swollen.

I press our foreheads together, trying to rein myself in. “Tomorrow,” I say, and she looks at me. But before she can give me an answer, Eleanor appears in the hallway.

“Guys, Madison just went into labor. We need to get to the hospital.”

Brooklyn

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

About an hour and a half later,my beautiful nieces, Dimitra and Angeliki, make their debut on this crazy stage called planet Earth.

Athanasios came to the hospital ahead of me with Zeus, Eleanor, Hades, Ares, and Madison, while I stayed back with Dionysus until his son’s nanny, Cecily, arrived to take care of the three children.

I was worried she wouldn’t be able to handle that little army, but Zeus’s brother assured me I could come to the hospital with peace of mind because Cecily is very capable.

I noticed a look exchanged between the two of them, and I’m almost certain there’s something more there than just an employer-employee relationship.

I know he’s a widower raising his son alone, practically since birth. Madison told me that Joseph used to be very quiet, but after Harper Cecily became his nanny, the little boy changed visibly.

“Congratulations, Mama,” I say to my sister, kissing her forehead.

“I’m bursting with happiness, Brooklyn. I thought I had everything when I married the man of my dreams, but they”—she points to the babies in Eleanor’s and their proud father’s arms—“are my air, my heart outside my chest.”

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