Page 3 of Influence

I met her unwavering gaze and replied, “Umm… just contemplating the future.”

Discussing matters of intimacy, let alone the intricacies of sex, while in a moving car and surrounded by the unmistakable presence of Eli and Vik, was the last scenario I had imagined for this conversation. I might have felt more at ease if Avra were alone with me.

Avra seldom shared details about her sex life with Eli. However, every member of the Vitalis and Xenos families was aware of their intimate inclinations, especially the fondness they had developed for the kitchen.

“Everything will be fine,” Avra murmured, trying to chase away the swirling doubts in my mind.

Eli flashed a roguish grin, interjecting with playful reassurance. “We can still turn this car around if you change your mind. I’ll have you on a jet to the Maldives, and you can rest assured, our soldiers will form an impenetrable shield around you.”

Vik’s cadence grew more solemn as he cleared his throat. “Time to get serious. No escapes, no turning back. Laya made her choice.”

I nodded, my heart racing as I took a deep breath, the air catching in my throat as my hands trembled slightly in my lap. “You’re right, Vik. It’s too late now. We have arrived.”

The car glided to a stop, the driver easing the wheels onto the gravel of a long, winding driveway that twisted toward a towering, ornate iron gate.

I watched the gate swinging open like a mouth welcoming us into a realm of grandeur. We moved forward along a curved path, the shadows of majestic, deep green cypress trees enveloping us, their slender forms swaying gently in the breeze overhead.

In the distance, the Galanis estate unfurled over rolling hills, its grand mansion standing tall and dominating the landscape. “It’s so opulent,” Avra whispered in awe.

I took in every detail, my gaze sweeping across the vast estate. The sheer scale of it was beyond impressive. I had clearly underestimated Nikolas’s wealth in my earlier research.

On one side, rows of grapevines extended endlessly towards the horizon, meticulously arranged as if in perfect rows. On the opposite side, sprawling gardens erupted in various colors, each flower glistening under the warm sunlight, creating a scene that felt alive.

Eli’s words broke my reverie. “This estate must be worth at least a hundred million, if not more. And it’s just one of many properties he owns.”

“Estates don’t matter to Laya,” Avra chimed in. “What impresses her are the state-of-the-art shooting range and a fitness studio that could rival any five-star gym.”

The driver guided the car up the steep roadway toward the mansion perched high on the hill.

If anyone outside the vehicle were to see me, I would appear as the calm and unshakeable Vitalis sister, poised to embrace the next stage of my destiny. Yet beneath that shield, my confidence wavered, a sense of unease stirring in my stomach.

Sensing my inner turmoil, Avra reached across and firmly grasped my hand, her warmth seeping into my anxious skin.

“Hey,” she said firmly. “You’re a fucking Vitalis—unbreakable. Never forget that.”

“Right.” I nodded, determined, as Avra jolted my anxious mind with a much-needed dose of reality.

I took a deep, calming breath and squared my shoulders as the car rolled to a stop before the imposing flight of limestone steps leading to the mansion’s main entrance.

I knew marrying Nikolas was necessary, yet one question haunted me.

Why would someone with his wealth and status marry me?

The answer would reveal itself in time, but my priority was to remain focused and vigilant for now.

A staff member walked over to the sleek black car, and we stepped into the sunlit courtyard. Vik accompanied me, offering his arm while Avra and Elias remained watchful behind us.

As we neared the house's opulent entrance, I looked up at a vast terrace that gracefully extended along one side of the mansion.

My breath caught. Nikolas stood against the stone railing, his piercing gaze capturing mine with commanding intensity.

My heart skipped a beat, and my feet came to an abrupt stop. All I could do was silently stare up at him, captivated.

He wore simple black slacks and a silk shirt, the top button undone, hinting at tanned skin. His long, dark hair cascaded over his collar, dancing in the breeze, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was as soft and silky as it looked.

His striking muscular frame showcased broad, powerful shoulders that radiated strength. He carried himself with effortless ease and confidence, reminiscent of a trained fighter ready to spring into action.

An image of my fingers tracing the contours of his body flashed into my mind.

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