Truths and Lies Duet

“The weatherman said it’s only supposed to get worse,” Melody says in greeting. “Stefano and I are going to call it an early night. Maybe order room service. Breakfast tomorrow, though?”

“Pomegranate has an excellent brunch menu. We can meet there in the morning,” I agree. “Stay dry.”

Stefano holds the umbrella over her as she leans in and hugs me. I’m stiff as I accept her embrace.

“You two made a beautiful baby,” she says. “Thank you for being such a wonderful husband to her. I knew you had it in you.”

Stefano nods at me as she pulls away. Then, they disappear into the rain. Once on the front stoop of the villa, I close the umbrella and prop it against the wall. I mash in the code and then push through the door. It smells like coffee and Talia. Two warm, comforting scents.

I kick off my rain-soaked shoes and then walk through the villa on a hunt for them. I find Talia in Zoe’s bathroom, running her a bath. Zoe splashes from her little seat inside the tub. With Talia’s blond hair curtaining her face as she looks down at the little angel below her, I can’t help but think she looks like an angel herself. And Daddy is from the depths of the Underworld. Somehow, our opposites attract. When she sees me, she grins, and her brilliant blue eyes glitter with love. It’s a punch to the chest every time she knocks me over with her intensity. There’s no questioning our feelings anymore.

“Someone is soaked,” Talia says, smiling. “Why don’t you go grab a hot shower and we’ll eat after? I’ll preheat the oven to cook a frozen lasagna once I’m done with her bath. It won’t be homemade, but it’s better than getting out in that weather.”

I walk over to her and kiss the top of her head. I ruffle Zoe’s dark hair. “I’ll make it quick.”

“Any news?”

“A lead on Niles. Maybe some other shit, but I won’t know until Basil and Adrian check it out.”

She purses her lips together. “Are we safe?”

“Of course.”

Her brows pull together as though she doesn’t believe me. It makes me bristle, but I don’t let it get to me. After the hell she’s gone through, she’s allowed to have anxiety. One day, hopefully, it’ll fade completely. I quickly shed my soaked clothes and breeze through a shower. Since we’re not going anywhere, I pull on a pair of gray sweatpants, some socks, and a white T-shirt. Talia likes it when I’m dressed down. With my hair still wet and messy, I pad through the house to find her in the kitchen, Zoe propped on her hip.

“Here, hold her,” she instructs.

I take my baby, who now smells sweet and clean, bouncing her in my arms as Talia peels the plastic film away from the lasagna and sits it on a tray. She then busies herself with making a salad while the oven preheats. Zoe and I walk over to the window where the storm seems to worsen.

Boom!

Thunder crashes loud and hard enough the windows rattle.

“That was intense,” Talia exclaims from behind me. “This storm—”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

My blood runs cold. Thunder doesn’t sound like that. It doesn’t hit that quickly either. What the fuck?

“Get in the closet,” I bark out, grabbing Talia’s arm and rushing her through the villa as the booms continue.

“Kostas,” she cries out. “What’s happening?”

“We’re being attacked.”

“W-What?”

“Turn the lights off. Hide in the closet,” I bellow as I grab my phone from the bedroom. I dial Adrian and he doesn’t answer. When I call Basil, he picks up. “We’re being fucking hit.”

“We’re five minutes out and I have Caymon on the other line. He says Aris’s Porsche is at the front. Explosives are going off near the front entrance. Bold ass motherfucker,” Basil huffs. “Want me to take him out, Boss?”

“No kill shot. He’s mine. I want him in the cellar,” I bark out.

Basil says something to Bronn and then grunts, “Bronn says Caymon’s men have the Porsche surrounded.”

“I’m on my way.” I hang up and shove my phone into my pocket.

I stalk into the closet to find Talia and Zoe watching me with wide eyes. I shove my feet into a pair of tennis shoes and shove my suit jackets aside to get to my gun safe. After punching in the code, I pull out a Glock, check the magazine, and then hand the weapon to Talia.

“Shoot first, ask questions later,” I hiss before turning to pull out my AR-15. “They have Aris’s Porsche surrounded.”

“Be careful,” Talia cries out. “Please.”

I rush over to her, planting a kiss on her lips and then one on Zoe’s soft head. “Shoot anyone who walks through that closet, Talia. I have my phone. Call me if you need me. I’ll be back as soon as we have that motherfucker detained.”