Page 45 of Thicker Than Blood

Revenge was so much sweeter when your family had your back.

???

My heart would overflow with love watching Stefanos with Alcina. I initially feared he was using her to get into my good books, but I could see his genuine curiosity for my baby sister grow into so much more. Alcina graciously took him under her wing and taught him the ways of a six-year-old, showing me his will to adapt for someone he loved.

He told her stories of their father and I was sure Christos was somewhere watching over his children. It was a pity he couldn’t have had this moment when he was alive. My mother was rightabout negativity and bitterness changing a person. It helped me change my feelings toward Cora from anger to pity.

“Is this making you broody?” My mum asked.

“God, what is wrong with you?” I exclaimed swivelling around to face her but her eyes were on Alcina and Stefanos.

“I might retire if you gave me some grandchildren to play with. Alcina would be in baby heaven.”

“He’s only been around for a few weeks and you want him to inseminate me,” I said dryly.

“I’m beginning to see what Christos saw in him—and you,” she said softly before putting her arm around my waist.

“Thanks, mum. For giving the space when I needed it and for being who you are,” I said as I turned to hug her, drawing in her warmth and the faint scent of her perfume.

“You will always be my baby. It killed me having to hold back but I know you, and you are far stronger than you realise.”

My mother’s life hadn't been easy, and it was reassuring to hear those words coming from her. Little by little, I was healing and I was emerging stronger than ever before.

How could I not when my mother’s name meant Queen?

???

I took a deep breath, my fingers hovering over the phone’s keypad. Stefanos’s name glared back at me, a beacon of everything I craved and feared.

Club X. Just typing the words felt like stepping into a storm. Memories flooded me—the dim lights, his piercing eyes, the way his cruelty had cut deeper than the vicious swipe of the cane. Butalso the heat, the intensity, the way he’d made me feel alive in ways I couldn’t forget.

This time would be different. I wasn’t the same girl who’d let him break her. I had a choice now.

My thumb trembled over the send button. One tap. That’s all it would take.

I exhaled sharply, my heart racing.

Just do it.

The message sent before I could second-guess myself.

Chapter 31

Stefanos

The leather collar was in my hand again but it was nothing compared to the handcrafted dark brown leather collar which was encrusted with a layer of diamonds in a pavé setting. She might never want to be my pet again and I could live with her decision because I wanted Amari in any way I could have her. But my hope was eternal.

Time spent with Alcina soothed away the grief of losing my father. To have a relationship with my little sister, thirty years my junior, was an enlightening experience. I tried not to think of my father’s weakness because I would have made different choices. On the other hand, Alcina made me imagine my future children with Amari—the mother of my children.

My god, seeing her with Alcina made me want to breed her—to claim her completely. I missed her every single day. Two months of being apart and I was on edge. With a groan I put the collar down and opened the drawer to pull the jewellery box to see the one I had designed, to imagine it around her neck for the millionth time.

My phone buzzed, and I absently lifted it to look at the screen.

Amari:I want to go to Club X as your pet.

I dropped the collar, holding my phone closer to my face, ensuring I read her message correctly. The timing wasmomentous. I hesitated before I responded, quickly tapping one word and holding my breath before I hit send.

Me:Rules?

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