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“And he hasn’t killed you yet because of the hidden treasure?”
Castor shakes his head, a sudden heaviness coming over him. “He needed me to keep Sophia in check. But he hadn’t told me she’d been taken. I’m not sure how I’m still alive.”
“That wouldn’t have helped his cause.”
“Nothing will now,” Castor growls, his dark brows furrowing as he looks off into the distance. “I’m going to hunt that bastard down and tear out his guts.”
“Not if I get to him first.”
The old enforcer’s gaze snaps onto me, and I can see the wheels turning in his head.
“There are Greeks who would be willing to fight for Sophia. Even before Kostas died, I had been talking to them, trying to build an army around her, so that we could strip power away from Retsos.”
“I know,” I respond. “Sophia was ready to lead that army against me before Retsos took you.”
“I’m guessing he made her stop fighting.”
“Peace is more profitable.”
“Coward. What was he making her do instead of fighting you bastards? Did he want her to sign a fucking peace treaty…” Suddenly, something seems to hit Castor right in the chest. His dark eyes immediately dart for my hand, and I can see him desperately trying to spot a wedding band on my ring finger.
“Don’t worry, old man. It didn’t come to that… but that is exactly what Retsos wanted. He tried pawning Sophia off on me. A marriage pact.”
“… And you said no?”
“Neither of us wanted it.”
“… Then how the hell did you get her? Why is her lipstick on your finger? Why do you seem to care so much for my little girl?”
“She’s not your little girl anymore,” I say, shaking my head. But there’s no more rage in my voice. At least, there’s no rage directed at Castor. He’s passed the test. And so has Sophia. “She’s my queen.”
“I’m sorry, son. But that doesn’t make any fucking sense. You just said you two refused to marry.”
“I’ll explain everything, old man… tomorrow. Hell, I’ll even let you see Sophia… tomorrow. Until then, I’ll have you taken to a nice bed, so you can get some rest and look presentable for my girl. Before that, she and I are going to have one last night alone. I hope you don’t mind.”
“It doesn’t look like I have much of a choice,” Castor concedes, his eyes falling onto the restraints that pin him to the chair.
“I like you better every time you speak,” I smirk. “Now, get some rest. I’ll keep Sophia safe.”
With that, I turn my back on Castor Manolas and leave the dark, little cellar. But not before I give some direct instructions to the men I have waiting out front.
“Treat him well, but don’t let him go anywhere. Bring backup to help you take him across the street. He’s a tough fucker. Also, make sure he has food and water and a comfortable bed. Call the doctor if anything is wrong with him. But don’t bug me. I’ll be busy for the rest of the night.”
With that, I leave the cold underworld and head back up into the light. Back to her.
This will be the last night where I’m all that Sophia has in the entire world.
I’m going to make the most of it.
30
Sophia
I’m halfway through my tenth re-read of his mother’s book when Leo appears in the doorway to our room.
“You’re really into that book, aren’t you?” he says, taking his time as he walks towards the bed. There’s a stoicism to his deep blue gaze that I don’t think I’ve seen before.
He lets those beautiful eyes slowly wander over the golden walls of this room—the same walls I once thought were so tacky and confining.
