Page 2 of Influence

Cali moved through her days in a haze, barely acknowledging the trauma she had endured. Yet, the deep impact was unmistakable. She flinched at slight noises, stared silently for hours, and screamed through nightmares.

“It’s good wine,” Avra said, snapping me from my brooding. “Expensive, but good.”

“Good?” Eli replied with a teasing smirk. “You and Laya drank so much of his estate’s Xinomavro a few weeks ago, I was sure you’d never stop giggling.”

Avra burst into laughter as she leaned against her husband’s shoulder. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.

Elias was observant and highly intuitive. He clearly sensed my nervousness about my first formal meeting with Nikolas and did his best to put me at ease. I liked him more than I ever thought possible, especially since he was the offspring of our greatest enemy.

However, he was nothing like his father, and I was grateful. When I first met him, I made many assumptions, but he’d proved me wrong on most counts.

He and Avra were perfect complements, resembling two puzzle pieces designed to fit together. Seeing my sister glow with joy, enveloped in the love and attention Elias gave her, was heartwarming. This was what I valued most about him. Hewould burn the world down for Avra. He had even turned his back on his terrible father for Avra’s sake.

Even now, Elias kept a vigilant search for Ozias, one I knew he wouldn’t give up until Ozias was six feet under.

In just a short period, everything had changed dramatically. Avra’s marriage to Eli and her clever maneuvering against the asshole Ozias had led us to gain control of five territories in the sunlit region of Greece that our father once governed.

Avra had gained one through her marriage to Eli, my future marriage would secure another, and Avra had seized the remaining three after we dealt with three of the men involved in our father’s murder.

We had always understood that reclaiming what was rightfully ours would come at the cost of much bloodshed. It was a necessary price to pay to recover what we had lost.

Despite the challenges ahead, nothing could stop us now that our plan was in motion. Like an unstoppable tide, we pressed forward, determined to claim our destiny.

Avra and Eli's marriage marked the beginning. Mine to Nikolas Galanis would bring us even closer to achieving our goals. I would gain his allies, further strengthening the Vitalis family.

We could easily overcome our adversaries with all the strategies we had established. All I had to do was commit myself to a man I barely knew for the rest of my life.

Piece of cake.

As we approached the Galanis estate, my earlier excitement faded, completely replaced by nausea and a churning stomach filled with nerves.

Avra’s presence provided a soothing sense of support, filled with optimism and reassurances that a Vitalis woman could face any challenge.

It was clear that, even with our common family traits, Avra and I were entirely different.

Her years of wisdom reflected her vast encounters. Avra embraced life fully, brimming with adventures and romantic escapades. By the time we returned to Greece, and she met Elias, she was sophisticated, mature, and experienced.

That wasn’t me—not by any means.

In truth, I’d never taken a lover, never trusted enough while living in Prague. Yet now, I'd soon share a marriage bed with a man I barely knew. It was unrealistic to think that sex wouldn’t be a part of life with Nikolas. To what extent, I was unsure. However, to expect a man as mature and attractive as Nikolas not to have desires was beyond naive.

I was a virgin, not stupid.

Our brief, tense encounter during Cali’s rescue made a lasting impression on me, and I couldn’t help but recognize my attraction to him.

There was an intensity to his gaze, something I had never encountered before when any man looked at me.

My reaction to him prompted me to conduct my own investigation, scouring the internet and consulting several of our soldiers to gather insights about him.

Through this, I discovered that Nikolas was a formidable businessman, known for his ruthless precision in negotiations. He avoided violence until forced to engage, and then he was merciless.

This kind of calculated response commanded my respect. It was akin to provoking a slumbering bear. One could prod it only so much before it unleashed its fury, decimating its adversary. In this regard, Nikolas and I mirrored each other. It took a lot to provoke my anger, but I became fiercely relentless once someone crossed my threshold.

Avra and Cali liked to refer to it as my bubbling caldera. Once I erupted, everyone had to take cover. I wasn’t sure I was as bad as they claimed, but whatever.

Another tidbit the soldiers hesitantly shared was Nikolas’s infamous reputation with the ladies. I could not comprehend why they assumed I would take issue with a thirty-four-year-old, undeniably handsome man leading an active romantic life.

“What’s on your mind?” Avra’s question pierced through my daydream, pulling my attention to her expressive eyes.

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