Chapter 4

TESSA

Mom gives me a pleading look, silently asking me to understand, then Peter says, “Not a lot will change.”

Nikolas doesn’t seem to think so.

Peter gives me an overly patient smile that doesn’t do anything to lessen the dark expression in his eyes. “You’ll be expected to accompany Nikolas, Athina, and Basil to social events, so the family shows a united front.”

Ahh… I don’t do social events. At all. I’m a homebody, not a social butterfly. Besides, spending time with Nikolas is something I want to avoid at all costs.

Before I can try to explain myself, Peter continues, “Every Sunday, you’ll be expected to attend lunch with us.”

What happens if I’m busy with exams?

This time I open my mouth, but Peter keeps going. “And you’ll have two guards with you at all times.”

My eyebrow darts up. My jaw goes slack. For a moment, I can only shake my head like an idiot that’s lost the ability to speak.

Shit.

This is how it all starts. They’re expecting me to become a mafia princess. I’ve seen what that entails.

No freedom. Arranged marriages. Abuse.

My chest tightens, and I feel claustrophobic because I know the demands will keep coming until I have zero control left over my life.

Until I’m swallowed whole by the mafia.

Finally, I find my voice. “What if I don’t have time for social events? My studies take up all of my free time, and I’ll only get busier as exams approach.” I suck in a breath of air, hoping I can negotiate my way out of this. “And I’m either at home or on campus, so I really think guards won’t be needed.”

Peter scoots his chair back, and as he rises to his feet, his eyes are filled with disapproval and warning. “It’s not negotiable, Theresa. You’ll do as you’re told.”

I’m gaping as he leaves the dining room, with Basil following short on his heels, which leaves Athina, Mom, and me at the table.

Slowly, I turn my shocked gaze to my mother. She gives me an encouraging smile. The kind I used to get whenever Irene hurt me and Mom thought I broke an arm or rib because I was clumsy. It’s not Mom’s fault for thinking that, seeing as I didn’t dare tell anyone what Irene was doing to me.

It has the memories I fought hard to bury creeping through the cracks, and for a moment, I’m thrown off balance. It threatens to drag me back to the past, to a dark time where sorrow and fear were my only companions.

T aking a couple of deep breaths, I try to ignore the cold sweat breaking out over my body and the tremor in my hands. I just need to get this conversation over with so I can go back to my apartment.

“Mamá.” Shaking my head, I fist my hands on either side of the plate of uneaten baklava, so Mom won’t notice they’re trembling.

“We’re not asking a lot, agápi mou,” Mom says, her tone gentler.

“I can do Sunday lunches every other weekend,” I try to find some middle ground. “But guards twenty-four-seven?

Social events?”

“Stop, Theresa!” Two spots of pink stain her cheeks.

“You’re embarrassing me.”

I blink a couple of times, my eyes dancing over Mom’s face as I try to bring my point across. “You know how busy I am with my studies, and I don’t do well with social events.

Never mind having two strange men following me around like shadows and being in my personal space.”

“It won’t be that bad,” Athina adds her two cents. “At most, we usually only attend one social event a month.”

Oh.

Some relief trickles into my chest. I can manage one event a month. I’ll just stick to Athina’s side and use her as a buffer between Nikolas and me.

She gives me a comforting smile. “You don’t have to socialize with people, Tess. We’ll just make an appearance.”

“You’ll grow accustomed to it. After a while, it won’t be disruptive anymore.” Mom rises from her chair, and I have to tilt my head back to look up at her. “Soon, we’ll be a part of the Stathoulis family. It’s the way things are done.”

Mom has always supported my independence. If anything, she’s encouraged it. Now she’s starting to take it away from me?

Once I give in, they’ll just expect more and more of me until I have nothing left to give. That’s how the mafia works.

Gripping hold of my shoulders, Mom pulls me up into a quick hug. “It won’t be as bad as you think. Try to be accommodating for me.”

Like I had to be accommodating when we lived with Uncle Kostas and Irene for years because Mom couldn’t stand on her own two feet? It almost killed me back then, and I’m sure it will definitely kill me if I’m sucked into the mafia.

I have to think about this bomb that’s been dropped on me. Acting irrationally won’t help me one bit.

“I have to work on the screenplay we’ve been given to write.” Pressing a kiss to Mom’s cheek, I force a compliant smile to my face. “Thank you for dinner. Are we still on for our spa date next week?”

“Of course! I need to get my nails done for the wedding.”

Glancing at Athina, I keep the smile in place. “It was nice meeting you.”

Walking out of the dining room, I force my chin up. I hear Peter and Basil’s voices drifting from somewhere in the house, and not bothering to say goodbye, I make a beeline for the front door. I climb into the back of the SUV that was sent to collect me from my apartment.

As the driver steers the vehicle through the heavy iron gates, I fist my hands on my lap, staring at my fingers that are white around the knuckles.

Before tonight, I didn’t like Mom marrying Peter, but now I hate it.

I’ve seen what happened to my friends from school, and a couple of my cousins, who were raised as mafia princesses. They were nothing but puppets. Social butterflies used to decorate the arm of whatever man they were forced to marry. Every single one of them is stuck in an abusive and unhappy marriage with a man they don’t love.

God, no. That’s no life at all.

They’re going to take away my independence. I just know it. I’ll be expected to obey every command from them and will no longer have a say over my life.

I’ll have to give up my dreams.

I need to do something. I can’t just become another mafia princess.

I focus on taking deep breaths as the SUV takes me to the other side of the city.

As soon as the SUV stops in front of my building, I dart out of the car. I don’t wait to see what the driver does, and skipping the elevator, I rush up the stairs. Only when I shut the front door behind me, do I stop to suck in deep breaths.

Calm down. It’s probably not as bad as you think.

The relief of finally being in my own private space washes soothingly through my veins.

That’s better. No use overreacting.

It’s just Sunday lunches and one event a month. It’s doable.

But the guards?

I flick on the light and glance over my sanctuary.

Everything is decorated in white and light blue. No spaces are cluttered. The only additions to the actual furniture are potted plants, lending a natural feel to the tranquil ambience.

I purchased the apartment and furnished it with the money I received from my share of the inheritance. I also paid for my studies with the money my father left for me.

Mom only pays for my monthly living expenses.

But what will happen once she’s married to Peter Stathoulis? Will he take control of her finances and use my monthly expenses as a way to control me?

God, what if Nikolas is given control over my expenses?

Over my every move?

That would be a nightmare!

I need to find a job to make sure that doesn’t happen. As soon as possible.

The need to keep a tight control over my life has me darting away from the front door. I quickly change into a pair of leggings and a t-shirt, tie my hair back in a ponytail, then sit down on the plush couch with my laptop.

As I start creating a resume and search through the job listings, I find my equilibrium again.