Page 27 of Deceptive Vows
It was easy to find out information about Helen, and her history was a winding path. She’d started life as Helen Christakos. Her older sister, Elisabet, had married Alexandros Kalantzis forty-five years ago.
Helen’s timeline included three husbands and no children. She was very close to her sister’sfamily and had remained so after her sister and brother-in-law’s deaths.
Like the jeweler, Mr. Marcello, Thea was loyal and loved her aunt. I hoped my introduction went well. I found myself desiring her approval as much as I had the jeweler’s.
“Hello, Lover.” The room fell silent at Thea’s greeting, all eyes now fixed on me.
I was a confident guy, but to suddenly be the focus of everyone in the room—the family of a woman I very much liked—was unnerving. As I approached her, I smiled. “Hello,tyomnyy angel.”
A lone eyebrow rose. “Oh, I’m an angel, but what sort?”
Pulling her close, I pressed my mouth to her ear. “Dark Angel.”
A soft purr. “I think I like that.” Her hand slid up my chest, and she leaned back. Every time I saw her, she grew exponentially more beautiful. “Do you call all your women that?”
“Nyet. None have ever measured up to the name.”
“You continue with that sort of flattery, and you just might get more than a goodbye tonight.”
Our eyes locked. “Don’t make offers you don’t intend to keep.”
She chuckled. “Challenge accepted.”
My heart. “Challenge won.”
“And who is this?” an older woman asked.
Without breaking eye contact, Thea said, “This is Nazar Volkov. My… fiancé.” She lifted her hand showing off her ring.
Her aunt’s mouth hung open slightly. A few seconds passed as though it took her a second to process what Thea said. Then her eyes widened. “Fia—?” She blinked. “Young lady, you don’t spring things like this on a holiday. Even Ari had the courtesy of telling me about Anna before Claire’s rehearsal dinner.”
“It all happened so quickly.”
She planted her right hand on her hip, wagging her left finger. “Don’t you try and charm me, Thea Marie Kalantzis.”
Thea smiled. “Whatever do you mean?” She palmed my chest. “Besides,” she cut her eyes at me, “he’s gorgeous, right?”
I got the distinct impression she was attempting to use my looks as a distraction. “I’ll take the blame.”
“And you can’t charm me either.” Her aunt's gaze drifted from the top of my head to my toes. “Even if you are attractive.”
Thea took her aunt’s face in her hands. “We both know how this world works and my penchant for surprises. Be happy for me.”
After a moment, the older woman softened. “If you’re happy, I’m happy.”
My Dark Angel smiled. “I am.”
Eyeing me, Helen said, “You better not hurt her.”
“If anyone hurts her, I’ll kill them. And if I’m the source of her pain, I’ll turn myself over to you.”
The woman rolled her eyes. “You’re very charming. Maybe too charming.”
“And honest.” I winked.
Helen narrowed her eyes and then looked at Thea as she took her hand, her gaze dipping to it. “Marcello?”
Thea nodded. “Isabella helped him design it.”
