Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“You think the brutality is why I don’t want this?”
“It has been my assumption.”
“Pappoús, there are a number of reasons I don’t think this is for me. The brutality is something I enjoy a bit too much. Which is why I refrain from going that far.
“The reason I don’t want to take things over is because I want a normal life. I don’t want to bathe myself in blood and greed. Your own daughters want to end your life and for what? Power? What happened to family, love, loyalty, honor?”
“You mistake the movies you wanted to act in for real life. There is no honor or loyalty in the real world. You either bathe in their blood, or they will bathe in yours.” His voice rises as he drops his silverware to his plate.
“But, Tzósoua mou, it isn’t always blood and greed. It can be family and love too. This is what I’ve been allowing you to learn. I can’t make your decision for you but understand when you make it, it will be out of love,” he finishes.
“You said there is something I need to know before I make my decision. What is it?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think you’re ready. Go to Athens with Helios, have a good time. I have grieving guests coming. I wouldn’t want you eating their food.”
Chapter 31
Changes
Kelex
Three years later…
I pull out my handkerchief and wipe my hands clean. I look the asshole in front of me over. I should kill him for making me have to come to Sunnyside to handle him.
“You’re no longer welcome in Vander. If I hear your name, the next time we meet will be the day you take your last breath. Am I understood?”
“Yes,” he gasps.
I turn and walk out of the room Helios has had my guys holding this prick in. Yes, Pappoús sent him with me. Someone he trusts.
I don’t mind. No one knows my driver is muscle from Greece. I’m living my life as usual for the most part. Blake just asked me to handle this one since my name came up.
“Where to now?” Helios asks as we get to the car.
“Lunch with Jeff.”
He frowns but nods. Sad to say, Jeff rubbed Helios wrong from day one. They don’t get along at all.
I brush the thought off and climb into the car. My thoughts go to True and Mary. Mary had a checkup today. True was supposed to call me with an update. She’s been in remission, but these visits always put us all on pins and needles.
Guilt rises. I haven’t been around as much lately. I always feel like I’m living a lie when I’m around them. However, I can’t seem to walk away. They are my family, my happy place.
My phone rings, pulling me from my thoughts. I pull it and see it’s True. First, I roll up the partition. I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until I answer.
“J, this can’t be happening again,” True sobs.
My heart squeezes, and I clench my shirt over my chest. I can feel his pain through the phone. He doesn’t have to explain what he’s talking about. It’s our biggest fear.
Mary has become a friend to me over the years. Her children are my little buddies. This hurts so much, but I’m the adult. I need to be there for these kids.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay. I’m here. We’ll get through this again. We fight with her. We’ll give her our strength, okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“I love you, bro. I’ve got you.”
I sit in the back of my car, reminding myself to breathe as I wipe my face. Right now, True is my main concern. I sit talking to him for another thirty minutes.
This couldn’t be happening at a worse time. Pappoús has just called me to Crete for another visit. I’m going to have to figure out how to make this all work.
I won’t break my promise.
* * *
“You all right?” Jeff asks as we sit across from each other in this Sunnyside restaurant.
I can’t lie. I’ve been distracted since that call. I wasn’t surprised to find Jeff on his way out of the restaurant as I arrived. I was late and moving lethargically.
“Just a lot on my mind,” I reply.
“You still headed to Crete?”
“I’m supposed to be.” I shrug.
“You taking the promotion?”
“I’m not sure about any of that right now.”
He sits back in his seat. “Hold on, I thought you were ready. I’ve heard talk. You’ve been more involved.”
“Don’t listen to everything you hear. Things are never cut and dry. I have things here that need my attention more. Things more important than running a corrupt city.”
“Your grandfather isn’t going to wait forever,” he says tightly.
“He’ll wait as long as I need him to. If not, he can replace me. I don’t give a fuck.”