“You and Pappous were in deep conversation, not to mention playing your favorite game.”
“It’s a child’s game, I know,” she admitted.
Takis glared at her, his expression affronted. “I will have you know it is the game of ancient kings.”
“It’s sold in the children’s toy department, not the section reserved for royalty,” she countered, relishing the old argument.
Takis opened his mouth to retort, but Ariston put up his hand. “Truce, you two. You’ll have far more enjoyment playing the game than arguing about it.”
“Are you sure about that?” she asked. “Your grandfather loves to argue.”
“This is true.”
That earned them both a censorious frown from the old man. “It is a good thing for both of you that I hold you so dear.”
“Are you saying you love me, Pappous?” she had the temerity to ask with humor.
He went very serious to answer. “The words do not need to be spoken to be felt.”
He believed that with every fiber of his being, she could tell, but she wasn’t as tranquil on the subject. She didn’t know if she ever would be.
“I have a little surprise for you two,” Takis announced.
“Your arrival this morning was not surprise enough?” Ariston asked with a warm smile for the old man.
“It is because of my arrival that I have arranged this.” Takis produced a hotel key card and brandished it with the air of a man conjuring the golden rings that had disappeared from the stage.
“You will not stay in a hotel. You will stay here, with family,” Ariston proclaimed, no give in his tone or his stance.
“But naturally. The hotel room is for you and your lovely wife. Newlyweds should not spend their first night of marriage under the same roof as their grandfather.”
“I thought you did not recognize our divorce,” Chloe teased, strangely disconcerted about using that key card. “We can hardly be newlyweds, then.”
It added a romantic tone to the day that she’d been trying very hard to acknowledge as unnecessary under the circumstances.
“Ohi, no more do I, but I am not so set in my ways, I do not recognize a recommitment when I witness one.”
Chloe almost laughed at the old man’s absolute intransigence on the subject.
Ariston showed no hesitancy however as he accepted the gift with a bussing on both his grandfather’s cheeks and warm thanks. “Where are we going, then?”
“Only the best hotel in the city. I would accept nothing less for my grandson and his bride,” Takis promised.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHLOE discovered how very right Takis was as they were shown into one of the hotel’s premier suites.
Not only was it richly appointed and impeccably decorated, but it was bigger than her apartment back in Oregon. The dining table had seating for six and the living area could have hosted a small party easily.
She let out a low whistle of appreciation. “Your grandfather certainly knows how to live in luxury, doesn’t he?”
“He worked hard to be where he is and his father before him. Should he book us into a motel?”
“I’m surprised you even know that there are motels in the city.” She wouldn’t have five years ago, when they’d first met and she’d known nothing of life beyond the pampered if lonely existence of her childhood.
“When I researched the hospitality industry before venturing into it, I made sure I looked at every type of accommodation available to suit every strata of society.”
“You’ve diversified into the hospitality industry?”
“I’d begun the move soon after our marriage. SSE now owns and operates a line of exclusive cruise ships.”
“You never told me about it.” Not that he’d made it a habit to discuss business with her, but he’d been far more free with information about SSE than her father had ever been about Dioletis Industries at home.
“I meant to name the ships after our children.”
“But we didn’t have any.”
“No.” He shrugged, the casual movement belying the regret in his eyes. “It was a grandiose idea considering the fact we had not even conceived a child yet when I commissioned the first two ships for building.”
“How many are in your fleet now?” she asked, unable to help the awe she felt at such a huge venture.
Cruise ships were like small cities. Building one would be a big enough endeavor—to have started his fleet with two had shown how committed he’d been to the enterprise.
“Ten. We have three different routes in the Mediterranean, all of which sail out of or land in Piraeus.”
“I’m not surprised. Greece is home, no matter what your passport says.”