Page 90 of Unexpectedly In Love

Four old men walk in slowly into the rooms. Nikos was the first to reach out to me. “Yia sou.”

He kisses me twice on each cheek. With an outstretched arm he introduces me to the four men.

“This is Georgios, Ioannis, and Atticus. Gentlemen, this is Lucas’s son, Eryx Demopoulos.”

Each reaches out to me shaking my hand, offering their condolences.

“You look just like your father when he was young.” Georgios’ mirth comes easily to him. His rounded stomach and his receding hairline only makes him look more approachable.

Ioannis listens as Georgios talks, nodding in agreement with everything Georgios says. His suit hangs on his withering frame looking a size too big for him.

Atticus steps forward with his silver-grey hair sweeps down over his forehead, leaving a balding patch in the middle.

“Did you meet with the lawyer boy?” Atticus says, his dull light blue eyes look over me as he moves to sit on the chair at the fireplace.

“Because you don’t know me, I will give you time to correct yourself,” my tone remains even, and I stick my hand in my pockets.

“Do you have a mistress yet?” Ioannis asks.

I chuckle at the old man’s question. “No. Should I get one?”

“Georgios has two,” Ioannis states. Georgios moves to the shelves propping his head on it. “I have no wife, but my girls keep me happy.”

“I thought the law...”

“Youngins. Yes, the law states we have to be married and have an heir. But marriage, love weighs down your soul,” Atticus warns.

“He should know his wife left him for the bodyguard. Mine died and Georgios’s wife Martina died in crossfire,” Ioannis states. I am astonished at how causal he is toward marriage.

“Only Nikos got it right. Lucky bastard. Leave your wife, save your life,” Georgios states.

“Wives are your biggest weakness. You can’t be weak while you are at the head. Your father understood and now you do too,” Atticus rubs his hand against the arm of the chair that he sat in.

“I agree. Not everyone is like Nikos. The smart thing to do is pick her up. It’s love versus power.” Ioannis wiggles his old eyebrows at me.

“Do you understand what we are saying boy?” Atticus asks. The way he says boy grates my nerves, but I don’t show it.

Nikos chuckles as he sways on his cane. “Stop testing Demopoulos. Khaos bring the cup,”

Khaos closes the door, walks to the desk and places an old brass chalice on it.

“What is this?” I ask as I point to the chalice that would have seen better days.

“Pompous and ceremony,” Georgios chuckles.

“Stand up Atticus.” Nikos opens his jacket and pulls out an old flask, covered in scratches and dents.

Georgios hobbles to the side of Nikos, taking out the same flask as Nikos. Atticus stands and does the same.

Ioannis nods as he also pulls out a flask. “This is right.”

Their faces become somber; this is the first time I’ve seen genuine grief since I arrived.

As they unscrew the bottles Georgios sniffles as if he is holding back tears. “For the passing of our brother Lucas Demopoulos.” He pours in what looks to be like brandy.

“We bring your sons and your brothers’ sons into our fold.” Atticus bends his flask and pours a clear liquid into the chalice.

“May they wield their swords of unity and camaraderie together.” Ioannis’ hands shake as he pours his liquid into the glass.

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