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I might have failed to kill my husband, but I’d brought us closer after my performance. The way Drakos had lingered at my door last night and the touch of his hands as he unzipped my dress and drew a finger down the length of my spine to splay open the golden material had been bewitching. We’d been so close to slipping into bed. But right as I’d decided to turn around and invite him inside, he was gone, his shadowy figure retreating across the breezeway.
It didn’t seem like a victory then, but now that Drakos had called me from church to see if I’d like to go on a Sunday drive with him, I could now view last night’s activities in a much more positive light. So far, no suspicion was thrown in my direction over the disaster on the beach. The obnoxious real estate agent was dead and gone, an innocent bystander caught in our war.
If I was truthful with myself, I was excited about today’s excursion, and I regretted not ordering a picnic basket—not to poison his meal, but to add to the ambiance. I couldn’t poison him without a fall person, and today’s activity sounded as though it would just be me and him. Hmm, but maybe we could crash the car in such a way that I walked away and he went to the morgue? Which was exactly what my father, the devil, wanted.
I tried not to let that moniker bother me. It was hard to grapple with my own ignorance. I let out a long sigh. So many questions, all with horrible implications, barraged my mind. I returned to the task at hand—getting ready for my husband.
The eyelet dress I wore today was ultra-feminine and screamed summer. I paired it with a scarf that I used to wrap my hair in, chunky shades, and tall wedge sandals. The ensemble was perfect. It was also fun—something that felt new and exciting.If I fulfill my purpose, my father will finally see me as a valuable piece and he will place me at his side, next to my brother.
Yet the thought didn’t sit well...didn’t ring true. I swallowed back the thought. If I questioned that belief and began to doubt my future place by my father’s side, I was bound to fuck this whole thing up. I had to focus.
I dashed down the hall and took the stairs fast. Drakos would be here any minute.
“Where are you going?” came a sharp, familiar voice. Iryna’s tone wasn’t a sneer, but it also wasn’t happy.
My breath caught in my throat as I clutched the stair rail in mid-flight. I looked down at my sister-in-law as she stepped across the foyer. She was back early. A shred of concern coiled in my stomach.
“How was Seattle?” I asked, giving her a big, fake smile.
“Fine.” There was caution threading that single word.
My brain scrambled to take in the situation. Iryna was a weak point with her brother, and one I was always looking to exploit. I considered the current situation and decided to pick at the sister to see where it went.
“Wonderful. Well, I’m going around to the garages to meet your brother. We’re headed on a coastal drive.” I let my voice trail off slightly, a note of invitation in my tone. After all, this woman had followed us to Greece.
Iryna’s nostrils flared. The fleck of gold in her nose flashed. “I’ll change and be right there.”
Jackpot.“Oh.” I feigned a level of discomfort. “That’s not what I meant. It’s supposed to be a romantic little adventure.”
“As if I’m lettingyougo on a drive alone with him,” Iryna scoffed, tossing her buttery yellow hair over her shoulder.
It was meant as a snub, but I let it roll off my shoulders and shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
Discord effectively sown, I smiled to myself as I crossed to the west end of the house and exited via the service door. The shiny town car pulled into the drive. Drakos emerged, large body unfolding from the seat. I took an appreciative glance, admiring his physique. When I met his gaze, I realized he was doing the same to me. Lust flared in his eyes.
“So...is this cute enough?” I twirled for him to see.
“Fucking adorable,” he said gruffly.
I took a step closer, looking up at him from under my heavily blackened lashes. “So, this is your baby?”
“We’re taking the Camaro on the Sunday drive?” Iryna bit out behind me, huffing as she hurried to catch up.
Drakos drew up straight. “You’re home,” he said, not responding to her question.
“No shit, Sherlock. It’s been a long night, so a drive with the top down sounds delightful. But I am surprised you want to take the convertible out with rain in the forecast, Con.” Iryna stopped beside me, completely oblivious to the change that had come over her brother.
“Yna, I’m taking my wife on a drive. Just the two of us.” Drakos slid his hands into the pockets of his dress pants.
“I’ll give you two a moment,” I said, clasping my hands behind my back and taking a few steps back. I pretended to peer into the single open door of the six-bay garage, which held a stunning collection of vehicles. But really, I was stationed close enough to hear the raised voices of the siblings.
“As if I’m letting you two drive off alone!” Iryna snapped.
“We don’t need a chaperone. We’re married.”
Iryna scoffed. “There needs to be a witness so nothing happens—to either of you.”
I pushed a pebble with my toe. The chauffeur had opened another bay door and was rolling out a shiny red classic. It must be the car we were taking for a drive. The engine’s roar didn’t interrupt the siblings’ argument.
