Page 1 of Octavious
Prologue
Vera
The hair on the back of my neck is standing straight up. I know they are watching me as I leave the ski lodge. I feel their eyes watching my every move.
I walk quickly to my brand new Mercedes SUV that Octavious gave me and I play with the keys in my hand. I’m fingering the driver’s key fob in between my pointer and middle finger to use as a weapon when the inevitable begins.
I know my time is up but I’m not giving up without a fight.
People all around me are having the best time of their lives at the ski lodge. Octavious and his men have done an amazing job of turning the ski lodge into one of the most prestigious vacation spots in northern Greece. I love it here.
I just hope I’m not going to die here.
My new SUV is sitting in the middle of a group of cars surrounding it giving me the protection I need. At least that is wishful thinking. All of these cars surrounding my beautiful new car only means there could be men hiding under the cars. There could be people waiting to pounce on me.
I grew up living in a dangerous world. I grew up knowing that at any moment, I could be taken and held for ransom. I knew that at any moment, I could be killed just because someone was mad at my father. I also knew the risks of leaving my home without a bodyguard. I knew that I could be a casualty of a war between two families. With all of those evil thoughts roaming through my mind, I still decided to fall for Octavious.
Actually, I couldn’t even remember falling for Octavious. The man has captivated my whole heart and mind. The enigmatic man has captured me. I couldn’t stop myself from falling in love with him.
This is what led me to Mount Olympus on the day that could possibly be my very last day on earth.
My fingers squeeze the keys to quickly unlock the car. My salvation and my safety are all in the car. I just have to get in the car and leave.
I quickly open the door and jump into the car. The seat is a lot higher than the Mini Cooper I had before this car. The jump inside is quick and effortless. In seconds, I have started the car and am pulling out of the parking spot.
I look behind me to see the ski lodge and then I see the shadowed figure of the devil himself.
My father sent him to me? My father senthimafter me?
The “Devil” is one of the most lethal men in the underworld. He’s the one that comes to get shit done and the reason why many don’t live long in this life.
The Devil is also someone I grew up with. Baron was like the brother to me I never had and now he’s been sent here to kill me. I couldn’t believe it.
I know what this means. I know that I need to get to safety before it is too late.
I’m speeding out of the driveway and onto the main road. There is a semi-truck blocking the main road causing me to panic.
I go to slam on the breaks but they don’t work. “Shit!” I cry. I do my best to veer off the side of the road and into the mounds of snow.
My brand new car is smashing into the semi before I can do anything to stop it.
Chapter One
Vera
It was two weeks before our wedding when I found out everything fell apart. I found out that the man in front of me, the one I was supposed to be marrying in two weeks, is probably the dumbest in the world.
I was just coming back from a very business trip when Baron, one of my father’s trusty men, called me and told me I had to come over right away. Being that I’m the only daughter of one of the most feared men in all of Greece, I have done my best to separate myself from my father’s organizations- which is the exact reason why I operate my own business dealings.
After getting off the plane and into the town car waiting for me, I was quickly driven to my father’s building on the side of the town when my life got twisted. Imagine my surprise when I found the man I’m supposed to be marrying tied to a chair looking like he just went rounds with a boxer.
What the hell is Servos doing here and why does he look like this? What happened to him?
I’m about to drop everything on the ground to run to him but something inside of me stops me. The worst part about being part of my father’s family is knowing that violence can happen at any moment and it is usually warranted.
“Vera,” my father’s deep, baritone voice cuts through my questioning. I look over at my father who has a 9 millimeter in his hand and watch as he loads it. He does it swiftly just like the professional he is.
My father’s olive skin is glowing from the light of the room. His signature balding head glistens from the same light. But it is the anger and hatred which radiates off of him that springs me into action.
