Page 21 of Modern Romance Collection March 2025 (1-4)

He waited five minutes. Finished his drink. His father had spent a lifetime being patient, controlling his anger, hiding his narcissistic impulses. And still, even without any outward reaction, Athan knew how to needle him.

Athan marrying Lynna was something Constantine hadn’t seen coming, and he wouldn’t be able to let it go until he was certain he had the upper hand in the situation. He’d poke and prod at Athan until he found a weak spot.

But there was no weak spot here. Athan wasdetermined.

So, Athan didn’t walk back into the house with purposeful strides. He…meandered. Half expecting his father to come thundering out of the library demanding to know why the devil he should have to wait.

But when Athan finally reached the library, his father was still in the room. Athan leaned against the doorway, watched as his father looked through drawers. He wondered what dear old Dad thought he might find in apublicroom, inunlockeddrawers. Did he really underestimate Athan that deeply?

It grated, but it was good, and Athan would use it.

“To what do I owe this late-night visit, Father?”

Constantine straightened, regarded Athan from behind Athan’s own desk. He didn’t have the decency to look guilty or caught, because the man never thought he was guilty. Anything in service to what he wanted was fair game.

Athan had believed that once himself. And while he had not murdered Aled Carew, Athan still felt the guilt of his death like a weight around his neck. Because he had used his father’s tactics on the man. He had ruthlessly and carefully planned to frame Lynna’s father for all his own father’s shortcomings.

And still, Constantine had not beenproud. He’d not reacted positively. He’d only wanted Athan to do more, sink lower.

It had been enough to finally break the spell of Constantine Akakios, and still he likely would have sunk all that lower for Constantine out of sheer habit if it hadn’t been for seeing Lynna at the Carew funeral.

“I heard you were back in Athens.” Constantine straightened. “Our last conversation was not satisfactory. Since you cannot be trusted to have a calm, direct conversation over the phone, I knew I would need to come see you in person.”

It was impressive, really, the blame game his father could play, considering just how calm Athan had been during their last phone conversation.

Unlike Constantine.

But Constantine had a way of speaking, of twisting words, that could have even the strongest man doubt himself.

Athan didn’t tonight. “I see,” Athan said, though he made sure his expression was one of confusion rather than understanding.

“You have made a grave mistake, son.” Constantine shook his head, as if he simply despaired of Athan, when Athan knew what he despaired of was beingsurprised. “I will give you one last opportunity to save us both the hideous embarrassment you’re about to cause.”

Athan raised an eyebrow. An interesting and impressive tactic, to useusas though they were somehow in thisembarrassmenttogether.

“And by embarrassment you’re referring to…?”

“Your sham of a marriage that was clearly only meant to be a pathetic slap at me.”

Pathetic.And yet it had warranted an angry phone call and whatever this was. No, Athan had succeeded quite well.

“Oh, no sham, I assure you.” Athan smiled. “We are legally wed and quite happy everything worked out. I suppose the news landed before I wanted it to, but no harm no foul. If you have come to try to pry this wife away from me, I’m afraid that even you will find it impossible. If there is one person I can be assured Lynna will never betray me for, it is you.”

Constantine did not bite at that. He kept up the fake tired disappointment. Athan gave him credit, it was an impressive performance, and one he hadn’t trotted out in a while. There was a time Athan might have even fallen for the gravely concerned father.

But that time was over.

“I have come to give you one last chance, Athan. One last opportunity to salvage this mess you’ve made. We will get the marriage annulled, send the Carew girl back where she came from and hammer out a fair deal.” Constantine even smiled kindly. “We have been at odds, and I know you are upset about Regina. But this can still be salvaged.”

Athan had known marrying Lynna would send his father into a rage, but he hadn’t expected it to goquitethis well. Constantine must be all too aware of how easily members of the board would be swayed to him with a Carew connection.

Constantine sighed deeply. He met Athan’s gaze with one of concern. It really was no wonder people fell for his father’s act. “I am here to help you, son. If you can be smart enough to take the hand offered, we can fix this gigantic mistake of yours.”

Athan didn’t laugh, though it was hard to swallow it back at the idea his father would everhelphim. “I thought you were ousting me?”

“I figured after what happened with Regina, it would be necessary. But the fact you’re willing to jump into another doomed marriage proves that I have not hurt anything but your pride. You are still an Akakios, and where I once suspected you’d land on your feet, now I have concerns, son. I want to ensure that you are not left to the wolves.”

Son, son, son.Such manipulation. So smooth. Sogenuineseeming. Athan wondered if there was any predator so adept at undermining its prey. For so long, Athan had fallen for it. Twisting himself into whatever knot he could, if only it would make Constantine offer agood job, said so damn warmly he’d truly believed he could earn his father’s regard.

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