Page 3 of Thicker Than Blood

Stefanos Karalis sat there with his dark hair slicked back, resembling a villain in his black clothes and car.

“Take her inside, we need to talk,” he said, closing the window without waiting for a response.

I stood there for several seconds shocked, dismayed, scared and a million other things. When I could move, I took Alcina’s hand and ran. My heart was fluttering by the time we got to our gate with my little sister asking too many questions.

She was the same age as me when I met Christos. Old enough to understand some of the cruelty in this world. She was half black and half Greek. It looked like her half-brother held nothing but contempt for her. That hurt my heart because Alcina was an angel.

“Amari, who was that man in the car?” she asked again.

My stomach churned as I looked into her innocent brown eyes and almost lied to her.

“Someone from Christos’s family,” I murmured to her before helping take her coat off and washing her face.

“Hi, girls,” my Mum.

When I turned around she had a smile on her lips but her eyes were swollen and lifeless. My mum had been through too much in life for a spoiled rich boy to try and ruin us.

Alcina ran to hug her.

“Why aren't you in school, poppet?” my mum said lifting her to hug her close before kissing her.

“There are a few things happening mum. Alcina’s school is one of them,” I said gently.

“It was to be expected,” she said sadly.

“Why didn't Christos make provisions for you and Alcina?” I said trying not to let my anger seep through.

“It’s complicated but Christos wanted his son to accept his sister. He believed in him, Amari,” she said sliding Alcina down to the ground again. “If he was right then it will get better.”

My mother was gullible if she thought everything would be rosy and happy families with Christos’s son. I saw the disgust in his eyes when he glanced at Alcina. The way his eyes trailed over my clothes. We weren't all born with a silver spoon in our mouths.

“I have savings, and Christos left us the house, provisions and a Trust for Alcina,” my mum said softly, but she had a distant look in her eyes.

I wanted to tell her to snap out of it but it had only been ten days since the funeral.

“The school refused to take her,” I said, but the words didn't seem to register with her.

She frowned and was about to speak when the doorbell rang. I left her in the kitchen to answer the door, she wasn't in any state to talk to Stefanos. When I opened the door, it was the driver. Who made their drivers wear a uniform these days?

“Mr Karalis would like to speak to you,” he said with a tight smile.

My mum came to stand behind me.

“What’s going on?” she whispered.

“Nothing, I will be right back,” I said with a smile.

“But—”

“It’s okay, mum,” I said before I followed the driver.

I’d had no intention of speaking to Stefanos but couldn't have any drama unfold before my Mum or little sister. When I stepped outside, the impending feeling of doom was there. I don't know how he managed to cut me off from my bank or mobile network provider but he was no friend to me or my family.

I dragged my feet on the ground until I reached his car and the back door opened as I approached. My heart started to race but my pace slowed down as I reached the door. Panic began to eat away at me when I realised he got to my employer and had me fired. Christos was wrong about his son.

He was here to destroy us.

Chapter 3

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