Page 1 of Influence

One

LAYANA

Time to do your part, Laya.

Anticipation twisted in my chest as the car sped through the lush, vibrant hills of the Greek countryside. The blur of colors and shapes outside sent my heart racing, a mix of excitement and apprehension churning in my belly.

Today, I was to meet my new fiancé at his estate.

I inhaled deep, the cool air filling my lungs as I braced myself for what lay ahead. I could do this. I had never shied away from a challenge throughout my life, but this felt different. This decision loomed over me, ready to shape the course of my existence.

Beside me, my sister Avra exuded an unwavering strength, her presence a comforting balm. She had always stood firm against challenges, a true role model.

“You can still change your mind, Laya,” she urged, her brows knitted in concern as her eyes locked onto mine. “You don’t have to do this.”

I shook my head, my voice steady. “There’s no changing my mind. A deal is a deal. I’m committed.”

Yet, even as the words echoed in the air, a flutter of unease danced in my stomach. My life had set its course toward reclaiming what had been stolen from our family. This sacrificial path led me to the altar, where I had agreed to marry for a greater purpose.

“That isn’t true,” Elias Xenos, Avra’s husband, interjected from the front seat. “We can turn this car around and go back to my estate if you change your mind.”

I couldn’t help but smirk at Eli’s offer. He was among the deadliest men I’d ever met, yet he showed a softer side only for Avra. Her happiness was everything to him, and consequently, mine was too.

“Don’t coddle her,” Vik Remes interjected in his straightforward manner.

“Thank you,” I replied appreciatively. “At least someone believes I know what I want.”

Vik nodded and maintained eye contact with me.

He’d sacrificed his youth to protect us after our parents' murder forced our escape. He arranged for us to settle in Prague under assumed identities and taught us everything we needed to navigate the syndicate world and defend ourselves.

As we transitioned into adulthood, Avra and I formulated a strategy to reclaim control of our family’s territories. It involved all three sisters at various stages. Earlier this year, we returned to Greece for the first phase of our plan. Avra had executed it nearly flawlessly, with only minor complications.

Watching Avra negotiate her marriage to the son of our fiercest adversary and transform it into a genuine partnership gave me hope. She demonstrated to the world that the Vitalis family was back in power and that we wouldn’t bow to anyone’s attempts to control us.

Elias discovered that Avra’s fiery spirit and strong temperament were precisely what he had never realized he needed. Together, they formed an unbeatable team, sharing true love and affection for one another.

Technically, no one had forced me into this arranged marriage. I was choosing Nikolas Galanis as my husband, so it seemed illogical for me to feel so uncertain about everything.

It wasn’t as if he had plucked me out of a magazine or something and declared,“That’s the girl, get her.”

Honestly, my choice could have been worse.

Nikolas embodied a Greek god, from his chiseled features and custom-tailored suits to his aura of unquestionable authority.

Our brief encounter left an undeniable impression—I couldn’t ignore my attraction. However, my interest in him extended beyond his looks. He proved his worth by helping to ensure our little sister, Cali, was safely returned after her abduction. This act greatly enhanced my opinion of him and solidified his place as a valuable ally in our pursuit of power.

Nikolas’s Italian mafia ties would help us extend our power further. This was a crucial step in earning recognition and respect from other crime families, which had previously viewed us as inferior.

“Galanis has vineyards spread across the vast landscapes of Europe,” Eli stated, sipping his bottle of water. “My recent research indicates that he has exclusive contracts with every five-star hotel and resort on the continent, ensuring his wines are the toast of luxury.”

“That is indeed impressive.” Vik cast a quick, concerned glance in my direction.

I chose to ignore the worry etched in his eyes, a look that had been a constant presence since we rescued Cali.

My sister dominated my thoughts on most days. Calista was slowly recovering from her traumatic experience. For weeks, our enemies had tortured her. While I felt relief at having her home, anxiety lingered. She shut down about her ordeal, but the haunted expression in her eyes revealed the horrific reality we feared had become an unavoidable part of her life.

I kept a close watch on her, ensuring she knew I was there whenever she was ready to talk. As time passed, I began to doubt that moment would ever come. Unfortunately, it didn’t appear to be on the horizon.

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