Page 83 of Lord of Ruin
“I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”
“You’re the one who surprises me every day, which in turn makes me question everything about myself. You’re real. In a world where it seems everyone is trying to be something they’re not, you’re a completely genuine soul with a heart of gold. You put me to shame. You make me want to be a better man.”
His words were heartfelt, so genuine they caught me off guard. I rubbed a finger across the stunning piece before squealing and wrapping my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
This time, I kissed him. It felt natural and right, as if we’d been dating for a long time. I even swept my tongue inside, enjoying the taste of the licorice he’d purchased right after I’d said how much I adored red twists. Maybe the man was trying too hard to allow me to like and trust him.
I found myself swooning as I’d done before, but this time felt entirely different. Maybe there really was something between us more than just a physical attraction. I wasn’t certain nor did I want to analyze it. At least not now.
When I backed away, he winked all over again before pulling out his wallet and the very credit card his sister and I had used and abused.
I turned in a full circle, still fingering the lovely piece, noticing three of the four men were chatting, Atlas standing by himself looking grim. We all had our issues to deal with.
“Come on. You must be starving,” Stavros told me.
“Yep. All that exercise showing you up.”
He laughed as we walked out, saying something to Christos in Greek before walking back the same way we’d come.
As we chatted, I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off the bracelet, wondering how much he’d spent on something so priceless.
“What else do you like other than pizza?” he asked after we’d gone several blocks.
“Ice cream.”
“Um, not for lunch, sweetheart.”
He had me laughing with ease. “Salads. Grilled fish. Tuna. Mahi-mahi. Pasta of any kind. And burgers. I adore a big sloppy, juicy burger.”
“Then you are in luck because I’m taking you to the best burger joint in town.”
We continued chatting until we were across the street from the parking lot. We stood at the crosswalk, the man holding my hand tightly. He was scanning the streets like the other men were. I could see the outline of their weapons, while I hadn’t noticed one on Stavros earlier. But when I pressed my hand against his back, I realized one reason he’d chosen to wear a shapeless shirt.
It hid the weapon positioned in the waistband of his jeans. I immediately pulled my hand away as the newer two soldiers headed across the street in formation. When I backed away, Stavros turned to me.
“Don’t panic, Jenna. It’s just another formality.”
“I don’t know how you can stand it. Always on guard. Always needing to protect yourself no matter where you go or what you’re doing. Look at this day, Stavros. We’re in the middle of a gorgeous late spring day. There are literally thousands of people around. And you’re still worried that someone is going to come out of the shadows and try and kill you.”
“Yes. It’s happened one too many times. One year for my birthday when my entire family was out celebrating at my favorite restaurant, my father had let his guard down, insisting his soldiers sit down and eat with the family. They didn’t see the vehicle approaching the window where we were sitting nor were they able to stop the bastards from firing. My sister Alexandra was shot, ending up in the hospital, one of my father’s men killed on the spot. If it hadn’t been for my father and Phoenix’s quick actions, pulling the rest of us to the floor, there would have been more casualties. As it was, two innocent people were also injured.”
“That’s terrible.” I whisked hair from my eyes, watching as Christos headed across the street.
“I’m headed out, boss. I have a ride,” Atlas said from beside us.
“Understood. Take care of your mother.” Stavros nodded to his man and finally walked us across the street. By then, the other men were already near the vehicles.
We walked quickly, the light changing a couple of yards before we made it to the other side.
“It was a difficult period of time in my family but that’s when my father installed additional security, teaching his children methods of self-defense. It’s something I’ll never forget, which is why I don’t enjoy my birthday any longer.”
I stopped him briefly again, pressing my hand to his stubbled cheek. “Maybe we can change that in the future.”
He slowly allowed another grin to slide across his face. “Well, if anyone can, you can.” He pushed me forward, still laughing.
I would never be able to explain why but something snagged my attention and I jerked my head up, yanking on Stavros’ sleeve.
“What is it?” He was instantly on alert.