Page 198 of Dagger in the Sea

“I’m positive,” Adri replied, handing her mother an iced tea. “I chose the menu with Chef Pavlo and we’re all set. I’d much rather we stay here and enjoy ourselves. I want you all to myself.”

“Sounds perfect to me,” said Petros sipping his glass of beer, his eyes on Marko who was swimming laps in the pool. “How’s Marko been doing?”

“Very good,” said Adri. “He’s been staying here mostly, reading, swimming, listening to his music. He and Turo play that Playstation all the time. A few of his friends have been over, and he came with us to Elektra’s concert last night.”

“Did he?” Liana said, eyes widening. “Did he enjoy himself or—”

“He had fun, he really did,” I said.

“Thank God,” she let out a breath.

I caught Adri’s gaze and, clearing my throat, I stood. “Adriana and I have news to share with you.” Adri came over to me, a hand sliding around my bicep.

“News?” Petros said, removing his sunglasses. Liana slanted her head at us.

“I’ve asked Adri to marry me—”

“And I said yes,” Adri said.

“That’s wonderful!” Petros stood and Adri hugged him. He extended a hand to me and we shook.

“This is sudden,” said Liana.

“When you know, my love, you know, isn’t that right? That’s how it was with us. And I’ve never seen our daughter happier, more confident and relaxed. Have you?” He kissed Adri on the cheek.

“I am happy,Babá.Very happy.”

Liana released a breath and a smile curved her lips.

“Look,Mamá—” Adri extended her hand to Liana, showing her the ring. “Isn’t it fantastic? It’s forPapoú’sdagger. Turo designed it, had it made just for me.”

“It’s quite beautiful,” said Liana.

Petros took Adri’s hand in his and studied the ring. “How remarkable. Well done.” He raised his chin at me.

“A remarkable ring for a remarkable woman,” I said.

Petros clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Congratulations to the both of you.”

Liana kissed her daughter and came over to me and kissed me on both cheeks. “Do you have a date in mind?”

“No, we haven’t really decided on that yet, but we will. We have some new business plans too, but we can discuss that later,” Adri said.

Yes, later. We would tell them about our special events company providing exclusive entertainment in the Mediterranean, but not share the sex club aspect.

Marko got out of the pool and we all sat down at the dining table which was beautifully decorated with small vases of white flowers and laden with amazing dishes. Garlicky eggplant carpaccio, muscles in a white wine broth with plenty of parsley, zucchini flowers stuffed with minted rice and pine nuts, succulent large shrimp, langoustines, octopus tentacles, and calamari all charred on the grill and doused in lemon and olive oil. Salads of every color along with a selection of cheeses in boldly colored plates. Chunks of freshly baked crusty bread. Then there was the tiramisu birthday cake specially made by Adri’s favorite local pastry shop.

Petros brought over a bottle of Veuve Clicquot from the wine refrigerator and opened it. Magda scurried to the table with a tray of champagne flutes, and he filled them. We raised our glasses.

“To our Adriana. Happy birthday my darling.Xrónia sou pollá.And congratulations on your new life together.”

We drank.

Petros insisted on buying us a house in Athens as a gift. “You don’t have to to do that,” murmured Adriana.

“What?Haveto? I want to,” Petros said. “As the father of the bride, I can give whatever gift I like!”

“Babá!”Adri laughed, sliding an arm around Petros’s shoulder, burying her face in his shoulder. “There is one thing I want. One perfect thing.”

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