Page 17 of Modern Romance Collection March 2025 (1-4)

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Athan didn’t even hear his father’s response to that, or maybe the response was simply the click of a phone call ended. But he stared at Lynna in wonder.

He could kiss her. He had never in his entire life seen anyone stand up to his father in such a way. Even her father had treated Constantine as a kind of…untouchable monarch.

He considered following the instinct, considered kissing her here and now as she lowered her head in her hands.

No, not yet. Slow and steady with stubborn Lynna.

“I should not have said that,” she muttered.

“Why not?”

“It can hardly be wise to make him so angry.”

“It doesn’t matter. He’ll be as vicious as he can be regardless of how I needle him or don’t. A lesson it took me a long time to learn.” He went back to the delicious breakfast she’d made him. Yes, he could certainly get used to this.

She turned to look at him with a frown. “Why? You do his bidding. You’re his right-hand man.”

“I’m his replacement, and he knows it. It was fine enough when I was young and had no ideas of my own, just mimicked his every move, but the minute I balked at that, he turned on me.”

“Then how are you still in his company?”

“I’m a savvy man, Lynna. As is my father. He enjoys the little battles we have, always so sure he’ll come out on top. Regina is case in point. That’s not so satisfying if I’m a beggar on the streets. He wants me close so he can attempt to overpower me, show me up andwin. And since he often does, I started letting him.”

She pulled back, kind of straightened, a look of such genuine affront on her face, he was fascinated by it.

“Youlethim win?”

“Of course. You have to lull an enemy into complacency sometimes.” Athan took a sip of coffee. Clearly Lynna did not understand the art of losing a battle or two to win the war.

Unsurprising.

“Regina was supposed to be my first play at rebellion, my first true battle toward a war won. But he figured it out, because of course he did. So, another loss there. But we found a way to attempt a new win, didn’t we? This attempt he can’t undo, can’t manipulate. He knows it, or he wouldn’t have called me in a lather. He’s usually smarter than that. He’s quaking in his boots.”

Lynna looked at the phone in clear disbelief. “It didn’t sound it.”

“Trust me.”

“That’s one thing I’ll never do, Athan.” She stabbed a bite of egg with her fork.

It shouldn’t bother him. Why should she trust him? And yet he found himself wanting to earn her trust.

Another challenge to meet. Because hewasworthy, no matter what his father wanted anyone to believe.

She would see. He was certain of it, even if the breakfast seemed to have lost its taste. He was confident because there was nothing else to be.

Athan smiled broadly. “I would wager that the minute we’re back in Athens, he’ll make an appearance at the house. He’ll change his tune a bit. Tell me of all my faults and failings, then offer a handout. Talk loftily about how he’ll save me once again.”

Lynna frowned at this. “I don’t understand.”

He studied her. She came from two very honest people. She worked hard—it was obvious in the success of Your Girl Friday. And for the past five years, she had accepted a job from him and pretended she didn’t hate him and everything he stood for, while doing meticulous, amazing work.

No, he supposed she’d never understand the games his father played. “Mark my words, Lynna. He isn’t done, and because he isn’t, this marriage was potentially the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”

“Ironic,” she replied. “It might be the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.”

He laughed at that, true enjoyment winding through him. When she let her personality show, there was a glimmer of an interesting woman underneath that hard outer shell.

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