Page 5 of Power

“Trust your judgment when the moment arrives. There is no black or white.” Laya’s calm gaze urged me on.

I flipped through a few more pages, discarding more dossiers. “These seem too old. What would we ever have in common besides the lifestyle? Could we have a conversation about similar interests?”

Avra cocked her head. “Older men bring wisdom. Their experience holds a richness the young often lack.”

I knew she was thinking of her and Eli. They had a ten-year age gap, and it worked, but then again, Avra was an old soul, and Eli wasn’t as rigid as I expected of a man his age.

“Perhaps, but there’s a chance they are more old-fashioned. I’m not sure I want to make that compromise,” I said.

“The choice is always yours, Cali,” Avra reminded me. “We are here to give you options, nothing more.”

I focused on a photo of a brown-haired man with deep espresso-colored eyes. I discovered only openness and warmth as I examined his face for any signs of cruelty or harshness. His gaze was devoid of sharp edges and conveyed an inviting interest instead.

I flipped his page and read aloud, “Leon Boscos, twenty-eight. Three brothers, the youngest among them…”

“Oh, Leon! I think Leon is a great candidate, probably the best one of all, actually,” Avra said. “He’s handsome.”

“Very handsome,” Laya piped in. “And sexy.”

“He does have a tragic history, although perhaps that will give him depth,” I said, ignoring their superficial comments.

As I scanned further, the report revealed a grim story. He’d lost his family to a brutal attack.

We certainly shared some common ground there. His family estate was situated in Vouliagmeni, in the Attica region, on the southern outskirts of Athens, along the coast, which placed it fairly close to my sisters. More precisely, he lived just over an hour from Laya and under two and a half hours from Avra. f

“All right,” I announced, taking his report from the pile and setting it aside with care. “He remains on the list.”

I focused on the next profile, analyzing his serious expression. Though the angle might have revealed too much, his eyes conveyed a keen intensity.

“Dominic Lucianos, forty-one.” I paused, considering. “A bit on the older side?”

Avra shrugged, her tone even. “Not really. He’s one year younger than Elias.”

I nodded. “And he is the youngest of his siblings.”

“He attended school with Elias,” Avra noted. “That connection brought him to our attention.”

I inhaled deeply as the gravity of my decision pressed on me.

“He has sisters as well,” I said with quiet resolve. “I will meet both Leon and Dominic, then judge for myself.”

Sliding Dominic’s paperwork alongside Leon’s, I considered my possible choices. “Is this enough? Or should we look further?”

“Two provides a balanced start,” Laya observed with a mischievous sparkle in her eye.

I snapped the file closed. “Great, then that’s done.”

Avra and Laya shook their heads with amused smirks.

“Such enthusiasm,” Laya said. “It’s almost overwhelming. I’m not sure how I can handle it.”

“Hey, I’m trying,” I replied, with a mock offended scowl. “I did have the option to run away and join the circus, but I decided to stay here.”

“We appreciate you sacrificing traveling the world in a tent for us.” Avra leaned back in her chair and rubbed her belly.

“I do what is best for the family,” I cooed, and we all started giggling at the ridiculous turn in our conversation. “No, seriously, do you have any more information on Leon and Dominic? Have you met either of them?”

“I’ve only met Leon so far,” Avra murmured. “Dominic remains a mystery to me.”

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