‘Kalos orises spiti,’ Costas rasped.
‘My grandfather says welcome home.’
The old man’s eyes were fixed on her, reading her every expression, her every interaction with his grandson. While she hadn’t doubted Christos’s emphasis that this trip was different, she’d secretly hoped it was exaggerated. Costas’s laser-focused gaze confirmed Christos’s assessment. This visit was different. She was being analysed. Their relationship was being vetted.
Acutely mindful of that, she forced a smile. ‘Efkharisto,’ she replied.
A shade of warmth stole back into the old man’s eyes and she allowed herself the merest inch to relax as he turned to his grandson.
‘If you’re here to check on me, I suggest you instruct the staff not to unpack your luggage. I’ve had my fill of shameless meddlers for quite a while,’ he griped in English.
Christos took his time to sip his drink before resting muscled forearms on his armrests. ‘I am here to check on you,’ he replied without apology. ‘And we intend to stay until I’m satisfied.’
His grandfather’s eyes narrowed. ‘Is that the only reason?’
‘Play your games all you want with me, old man. Just remember I’m not a weak opponent.’
Costas’s weathered cheeks cracked the smallest smile and, within it, Alexis saw satisfaction. Anticipation.
He might project the outward appearance of a grumpy old man but, as was evidenced by his presence at the airstrip, Costas was glad his grandson was here.
They enjoyed their refreshments for a few minutes, before Christos resolutely set his napkin down. ‘I would like the unvarnished report on what’s going on with you.’
His grandfather’s smile was pure wickedness. ‘Your strong-arm tactics on my physicians didn’t work?’
‘We both know you made it deliberately difficult, just so I would come here and find out for myself. So enough with the suspense.’
The older man shrugged, not in the least bit unnerved by the accusation. ‘It’s the usual. Old age after a life well lived.’
‘Details, Pappous.’
Costas’s gaze flickered to Alexis before returning to his grandson. ‘Now that you’re here, perhaps I will give my doctors permission to speak to you. They can fill you in on all the gory details.’
Impatience vibrated from Christos, but, perhaps knowing he wouldn’t gain any more headway on the subject, he nodded. ‘Very well. I’ll speak to them when we’re done here.’
‘And once that’s out of the way, you might let yourself relax a little, enjoy this party your cousin has been threatening to throw in my honour.’
Christos stiffened. ‘What party?’
‘A birthday party, I hear. A rather large one.’
Alexis’s gaze flicked to Christos to see his eyes frosting over. ‘You gave Georgios permission to throw you a party without consulting me first?’
Costas shrugged. ‘Your cousin insisted, even though this isn’t a milestone celebration. And my grandnephew has been more...available lately. Much more than my own grandson and his new bride, who I thought would be on their way to becoming a...larger family by now,’ he said, his eyes dropping blatantly to her stomach.
Alexis gasped. ‘We... I...’
‘You’re embarrassing my wife, Costas,’ Christos said, a hard edge to the softly spoken words.
That Drakakis steel entered Costas’s eyes as his gaze returned to Christos. ‘Perhaps a little bit of embarrassment is necessary. I’m not going to live forever, you know. And since you claim to be married but are still maintaining separate residences, I find myself wondering whether you’re pulling the wool over an old man’s eyes.’
Her jaw gaped. ‘How—’
The words dried in her throat as Christos’s firm grip found hers beneath the table. ‘The intimate details of my marriage are none of your business, old man. Tell your spies to retreat if they value their skins. And if you’re playing my cousin off against me—’
‘What if I am? What will you do about it?’ his grandfather asked brazenly, dropping any attempt at diplomacy.
Christos’s jaw tightened. ‘You would do that?’ he asked, an enigmatic tone wrapped around the words.