Page 9 of Slightly Married
Additional terms included a multi-million-dollar trust fund for the yet-to-be-conceived child, accessible at age twenty-five.
I raised my head to find him standing in my living room, looking completely at ease in my space.
“I don’t need alimony,” I interrupted their animated debate about European cars.
He turned away from the conversation, one eyebrow arched. “You may not need it, but you’ll get it, anyway.” His voice carried the confidence of someone unaccustomed to being refused.
“I can provide for myself and any child we create.”
His face clouded. “Our child will be raised in the manner to which every Christakis is entitled.” He added, “And that includes ensuring the child’s mother is financially secure.”
I opened my mouth to object, but caught Simone’s slight head shake from the corner of my eye. Like me, she’d been raised by a Greek man, and we both recognized the pride they took in providing for their families.
For Konstantin, to do any less would be an affront to his manhood. For the first time in my life, I decided to accept financial support from a man who wasn’t my father.
In my past relationships, I’d footed all the bills. Maybe the unconventional start of this relationship would yield a different outcome from my previous experiences.
“So I get the baby, the bills paid, and eventually freedom? Sounds like I’m getting the better end of this deal after all.” I carefully refolded the contract along its creases. “Before I sign it, I’ll have my lawyers look it over.”
Konstantin nodded, satisfaction flickering across his features. He turned toward Lauren and Simone. “Ladies, it was a pleasure.” Then to me, with an incline of his head, “I’ll see you at the altar.”
The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving a lingering trace of his cologne in the air.
The three of us stood in silence for a moment. “Well?” I finally demanded, turning to them for feedback. “What do you think?”
“My niece or nephew will be cute,” Simone murmured, a small smile playing at her lips.
“Facts,” Lauren agreed with a grin. “Plus, he looks like he’s packin’ a Louisville Slugger in his boxers!”
The warmth creeping up my neck annoyed me more than their teasing. Physical attraction was inconvenient but manageable.
This marriage would be different from my last. No expectations meant no disappointment; no intimacy meant no betrayal. I could do this on my terms while keeping my heart safely locked away.
4
Islid into the back seat of the latest Olympus Motors limousine and found myself face-to-face with my cousin.
“What the fuck?” The words escaped before I could stop them. “Matthaios. What are you doing here?”
Matthaios lounged against the opposite seat, his long legs stretched across the spacious interior, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Waiting for you. What does it look like?”
“I don’t mean in the car.” I leaned forward and pulled him into a rough hug before shoving him back. “Why are you working for Michail Athanasiou? And why didn’t you tell any of us?”
The privacy partition hummed as it rose between us and Alexei. Outside, Manhattan’s skyscrapers reflected the late afternoon sun.
“Thought it was time I met my old man.”
A chill settled in my chest. I’d known my cousin all my life. We’d shared childhood summers on Thalassía before it was taken from us, learned to sail together, endured my father’sstrict discipline side by side. This expression on his face was new.
“What are you planning?”
“Nothing that concerns you,” Matthaios answered. “So you’re about to be my brother-in-law, huh?”
The car glided to a stop at a red light. “Why didn’t you tell us about Michail’s plans before I flew here?”
“I had no idea about his marriage scheme until I saw you at the house.” He tapped his fingers against the armrest. “He’s been secretive lately, keeping me out of certain meetings.” Annoyance flickered across his face. “We’re finally getting Thalassía back.”
“When your niece or nephew is born,” I answered darkly.
