Page 87 of Lord of Ruin

With it being almost June, the weather was as close to perfect as possible, the light breeze allowing for the scent of the ocean and music coming from somewhere to float in our direction.

While she was reveling in the beauty even from the small airport, I’d noticed my uncle had brought a proverbial army with him. There had to be thirty men standing behind Dimitrios and Leander.

“Who are those people?” she asked, laughing when Christos moved from behind her, giving me a quick look as he grinned and hobbled down the stairs.

“My uncle Dimitrios, another cousin, Leander. Christos’ family.”

“That’s right. He’s your cousin. You do have a big family.”

“We lost a portion of it two decades ago, an enemy that used my second uncle.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No need to be sorry, enchanted one. And we do like to keep the business all in the family. It helps with the trust factor. Come on. Allow me to introduce you to everyone.” I kept my arm around her as we headed down the stairs. Would Dimitrios recognize her? I prayed to God he didn’t.

Dimitrios threw out his arms. “Stavros. Too long.”

“Uncle. You never change.” We gave each other a bear hug as Leander and Christos playfully punched each other, my Capo finally wincing.

“Eh,” my uncle said as he raked his hand through his thick crop of nearly white hair. “At least I have my hair, eh? And who is this beautiful creature?”

I breathed a sigh of relief. There was no recognition in the man’s eyes whatsoever. The first test of her innocence had been passed.

“Jenna Kilborne, someone very special to me.”

She obviously didn’t understand Greek culture yet, offering her hand for a traditional American shake. As anticipated, my uncle was having none of it, taking her into his arms like she was his long-lost daughter. “Welcome to the family.”

“A little presumptuous, Dimitrios,” I said, laughing from seeing her face.

“I don’t know. Our cousin Phoenix said you were hot after her. Now, I can see why.” Leander pulled me into a hug as well. As the oldest son, he was preparing to take my uncle’s place within a couple of years.

She was befuddled, which was totally unlike her. When my uncle finally noticed the scratches on her face, he cursed in our native language. “The bastards who did this will be hunted like cats.”

“Dogs, Uncle. Dogs.”

He laughed in his booming voice. “Ah, yes. Come. We go celebrate tonight. Tomorrow we work.”

“Agreed. You feel the men are needed?”

“No one fucks with my family. Besides, there is word Madden Byrne is on the move. I cannot wait to hunt him down.”

“Likely since his American family killed the Albanian king in New York.”

“Yes, the chatter reached here as well. It would seem the Irish want to clean house. However, they will need to get through us. Madden is crazy if he believes he will be allowed to take down another portion of my family.” The pain was still raw in my uncle’s mind. Dimitrios led the way toward the parking lot of the private strip, several vehicles lined up for the short drive to my father’s house. I had no doubt Jenna would love the view out the bedroom windows.

“Well, we’ll need to set up a plan of action. It would seem they are attempting to take over a good portion of the Eastern part of the US.”

“Then I guess we need to stop them. Our way. It’s past time we do so. Business is concluded. Your father’s house is prepared for your arrival.”

“Thank you for setting everything up.” I gave him a nod of respect. The years had been good to him.

“Your father wanted to make certain his son was well taken care of. Perhaps we’ll be planning a wedding while you are here.”

“Uh, no,” Jenna finally piped in.

“What do they say in your country? Never say never or you will be made a fool.” He laughed again and I sensed she was finally relaxing. She’d said maybe a full paragraph on the plane, although she’d listened to everything I’d discussed with Christos and the other men I’d brought with us.

“Not quite, Uncle. Be careful of this one. She is very feisty.”