Page 43 of Thicker Than Blood

The man looked at Amari. “You're married?”

“I’m not—” she began to say before I interrupted her.

“The truth is, we like it when someone else watches us fuck,” I said trailing my fingers down her bare arm. “My wife gets turned on when other men want her but can't have her.”

“Stefanos, you had better—”

“You see my cock is extremely large and she is the only woman who can take me without complaint. She likes to show off her skills, don't you, darling?”

The man swallowed, looking at me and then Amari, before standing up.

“Uh, look. I’m not into that,” he said, his face looking rather pale before he turned and bolted out of the restaurant, which kind of deflated me because I had been looking forward to this date.

“You fucking psycho. You're even wearing a wedding ring,” Amari said fuming at me as I raised my hand to look at my wedding ring.

“I think it looks good on me. Seriously, pet? Him? Shit brown trousers and doesn't own a comb?” I said, tapping my fingers on the table. “What a fine establishment he brought you to.” I lifted my fingers to feel the sticky substance from the wooden table.

“Don't you dare! Where did you ever take me?” she said, her eyes spitting fire at me.

I took her to Greece to isolate and train her and Club X to humiliate her. Everything I did to her was from hatred, anger, pain and revenge.

Yeah, what a freaking gentleman I was.

“You're right. I was a complete and utter bastard, Amari,” I said, taking her hand but she pulled it away from me.

“Don't touch me,” she hissed and I moved my hand back.

“I want you. That will never change, but I also want to get to know my sister,” I said quietly. “She ismysister. The last legacy of my father.”

I watched her anger dissipate as she leaned back and her furrowed brows smoothed over.

“She is worth knowing,” she muttered before giving me the evil eye. “If you ever hurt her—”

“Never, I swear to you that I would never harm our sister,” I said, watching her face soften when I said our sister. “I've watched you all, but the way you love Alcina—I—” I paused toregain control of my emotions when her fingers curled around my hand.

“Sheisa special little girl,” she said squeezing my hand before quickly removing it. “I will talk to my Mum.”

I mourned the loss of her warm touch, but it was enough for me that she touched me, and I might have an opportunity to gain access to Alcina. What my mother thought or did was on her. I wouldn't punish my father for falling in love, because I know what I would do for Amari. My father didn't cross the line, but had I been in his position, my ex would be financially destroyed or buried in an unmarked grave.

I smiled at Amari, pushing my murderous thoughts aside.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

???

She refused my lift last night, choosing to find her own way home, which wasn't very time- or cost-effective since I had followed her home. From the moment I woke up in the morning, I would lift my phone to message Amari. This morning I took a snap before attaching it to her message.

Me:Good morning, pet. You looked stunning last night. Thank you for your assistance last night and this morning.

I attached a picture of my cock tented beneath the sheets. When she didn't reply, I went in for a shower, smiling for the first time since I forced her to leave, feeling the glimmer of hope. She touched me of her own accord last night.

When I came out of the shower, I checked my phone to see a very long message from her. I sat on the edge of my bed and tapped on the notification.

Amari:You can’t just bulldoze your way back into my life and expect me to forget everything you’ve done. Trust isn’t something you can buy with a smirk and a suggestive text. It’s earned. And right now, you’re not even close. But…I’m not shutting the door completely. Not for me, and not for you. For Alcina.

She’s the last piece of your father left in this world, and she deserves to know her brother. If you want to meet her, if you truly care about being part of her life, then you need to prove you’re serious. No games. No manipulation. Just honesty.

I’m not saying this is easy. I’m not saying I trust you. But I’m willing to try—for her. And maybe, just maybe, for us. But don’t mistake that for forgiveness. Don’t mistake it for weakness. This is me giving you a chance, Stefanos. Don’t waste it.

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