Page 43 of Love on the Rocks
“Three years ago. Nikos came to take care of him after . . .” He hesitated.
“After?” I prompted, sensing he was on the verge of revealing sensitive information.
“Nikos had a bad experience in New York. He never talks about it. It is not for me to say.”
I could tell that Yiannis wouldn’t reveal anything more, so I dropped that line of questioning. Though I was curious for personal reasons, this was strictly business. What mattered most was figuring out if everyone else was as influenced by the grandfather as Nikos.
“Did everyone share the grandfather’s opinion that tourism was a bad thing?”
“No, Florakis, who sells his land, and the current mayor were always fighting about this with him.”
“The mayor who is in Australia until the end of the month?” Not having the mayor here was turning into a big problem. I needed someone on my side.
“Yes, he wants to develop tourism here.”
“And what about you? Wouldn’t it help your business as well?”
He shrugged. “Yes, but I don’t want to see the crowds like in Santorini. I am sorry.”
“I agree with you!” I poured him another glass of rosé. “That’s what Greystone wants as well.”
“Nikos doesn’t believe that is true.”
“Nikos doesn’t know everything.” I swirled my wine in my glass. “Let me guess, everyone on the island respects Nikos likethey did his grandfather, so they go along with whatever he says. Especially his fangirls.”
“Fangirls?”
“Yeah, the young women that are constantly trailing in and out of his office.”
Yiannis sniggered. “I like this term. Yes, he does have many fangirls. Panos is jealous. The girls on the island have never been so sick since Nikos is back.”
I frowned because I could totally see why they were obsessed. I couldn’t blame them—they were most likely bored, desperate for anything new.
Something new, of course! “Yiannis, I need you to help me organize a party.”
He startled at the sudden change in subject. “A party?”
“Yes, a big party! And everyone on the island is invited.” I needed to convince the locals that I wasn’t coming for their island. In the short time I’d been here, and despite my less than warm welcome, I’d grown fond of this place. It was magical, and there was no way I’d want its beauty impinged on.
I was going to win over everyone, one by one.
If Nikos got wind of my plans, however, he’d launch some devious counterattack, so it was essential he didn’t find out. “Youcannottell Nikos though.”
“Ehh . . .” Yiannis grimaced. “I am not good with secrets. He will find out.”
“That’s funny, you were pretty good at keeping secrets from me,” I reminded him. “You don’t have to lie to him, just don’t mention it. We’ll give him a taste of his own medicine.”
“He will kill me.” Yiannis groaned and gripped his head in his hands.
I put my hand on his shoulder. “I won’t let him. When would be a good time to do it?”
“Please, on a Thursday. That’s when Nikos goes to Kos.”
“To see his children?”
“Children?” Yiannis looked baffled. “You mean? Ah, yes, the children.”
Amazing how people didn’t seem shocked that he had offspring by multiple women. I held my hand out for him to shake. “Okay, Yiannis, we’re partners now.”
