Stolen Lies (Truths and Lies 2)

“Well, if you really want to help, you can start by watching my family instead of watching me.”

I know he gets what I’m insinuating because he smirks. It’s smarmy and sends chills up my spine. I glance around, hoping to see another one of Kostas’s men, but it’s just us. I know they’re all over the grounds, but only one usually stays with us inside the house or out back.

“Sorry, I’m a flirt by nature. Nothing meant by it.” He shrugs, not even bothering to look guilty, despite his words, for staring at my body. “It’s hard to focus when you’re dressed like that.” He grins boyishly and nods toward me. I’m wearing a two-piece bikini, and sure, it might be on the small side, but I’m in my own home, and even if I weren’t, I should be able to wear whatever the hell I want without being ogled by Kostas’s men.

Just as I’m about to give this asshole a piece of my mind, I hear my husband call out my name.

Perfect timing.

“Moró mou,” Kostas says, pulling me into his side. He kisses my temple then addresses Fowler. “How’s everything?”

Fowler’s gaze flits from me back to Kostas and I swear I see a hint of a smirk playing on the corner of his lips. Does this guy seriously want to die? “Absolutely perfect,” he says.

“Kostas, can I talk to you for a minute?” I ask.

“Of course.” He turns his attention back to me.

When Fowler doesn’t take the hint, I add, “Alone.”

Kostas’s brows knit together. “What’s the matter, Talia? If there’s an issue, Fowler needs to know as well. Did something happen?”

“No, nothing happened.” I glance over at Fowler, who’s still standing there, with his arms crossed over his chest, and his eyes roaming my body. Is this guy for real? “Well, actually something did happen.” I look pointedly at Fowler. “This guy keeps checking me out, and it’s making me uncomfortable.”

Kostas’s brows dip further. “Is this true?” he asks Fowler. “Are you checking out my wife?”

“Sir, it wasn’t like that,” Fowler sputters. His back goes straight, and finally, his eyes are no longer on me.

“Either you did or you didn’t check my wife out. It’s simple.”

“She’s wearing a skimpy bikini, sir, and I might’ve noticed. I didn’t mean any offense.”

I scoff at the way he’s downplaying this. He was totally perving on me.

“Where’s Greg?” Kostas asks him.

“In the security room,” Fowler says.

“And Kip?”

“Guarding the front.”

Kostas steps toward Fowler, and since Kostas is a good half a foot taller, he looks down at him. “I don’t give a fuck if my wife is naked, you don’t ever look at her in any way other than to make sure she’s safe. Understand?” His voice is calm, but I can see it in the way his jaw is ticking, he’s about to lose his shit.

Good! Serves that asshole right.

“Yes, sir,” Fowler says like the good soldier he is. Gag.

“Go take over for Kip and tell him to get back here.”

What? That’s it? He’s just assigning him to a different location?

After Fowler leaves, Kostas’s eyes swing back over to me. “Talia, is that the only bathing suit you have?”

Oh, no, he didn’t.

“No, but—”

“Go change into something more appropriate, please.”

I glance over at my mom, who is lying on a chaise lounge with Zoe in her arms. I can tell by the look on her face she can hear everything that’s happening.

“I’m not changing,” I tell Kostas, crossing my arms over my chest in defiance. “This is my home, and I’ll wear whatever the hell I want.”

Kostas’s brows rise in shock. “Talia, it wasn’t a suggestion. Go fucking change. I’m not going to have you prancing around here so my men can ogle what’s mine.”

What’s his? Like I’m a goddamn piece of property!

“You’re a chauvinist pig, and if you don’t walk away right now, I’m going to push your ass into that pool.” I walk around Kostas and over to Mom. I take Zoe out of her hands, so I can lay her down for a nap.

“Talia,” Kostas growls, but I ignore him, because if I don’t, we’re going to fight. And I’m choosing to chalk his dumb ass remarks up to stress because of Aris.

“I’ll see you tonight!” I call out behind me.

“So, that’s it?” he shouts back. When I keep walking, he says, “Real fucking nice, Talia. I’m so glad I came home to see my family for lunch.”

Too pissed, and afraid I’ll say something I might regret later, I don’t bother answering him. And the smart man he is, doesn’t follow me.

While I’m laying Zoe down, I think about everything he said. While he’s in the wrong, he also made a valid point about being appropriate in front of his men. Not wanting to fight with him over something so trivial, when I get back downstairs, I look for him to apologize, but he’s already gone. Great, now I’m going to need to make sure this dinner is extra perfect because if I know my husband, he’s going to come home cranky as hell later.