Truths and Lies Duet

“I can’t go back there,” I blurt out, and Kostas’s eyes widen. “I know it’s your home, but…”

“Our home,” Kostas growls out without letting me finish.

“Kostas…”

“If the next words out of your mouth are to tell me you’re leaving me, so help me fucking God.” Kostas stands, towering over me. Zoe’s bottle is empty and she’s sleeping soundly in my arms. “You’re my fucking wife, and that’s our daughter, and if you think I’m going to let you leave me, you better think twice,” Kostas chokes out. “I know I fucked up, Talia. Her getting taken is on me.” He pounds his fist against his chest, and his eyes bore into mine. “But you aren’t fucking leaving me. Ever.”

“Kostas, that’s not what I was going to say.” I consider laying Zoe down, but I can’t do it. So instead I stand, still holding her, and walk over to him. “I’m not going anywhere without you.”

Kostas’s shoulders drop slightly in relief. “Tell me what you need, zoí mou.”

“A place where we’ll feel safe. A home where Aris hasn’t touched and soiled. Maybe one with a pool, so I can take Zoe swimming. But it needs to be secure so nobody gets to us.” I just need a damn break. A moment to be at peace with my family without living in fear. It can be months or years before we find Aris, and the hotel no longer feels like my safe place since it’s where he stole our daughter. There’s no way I’m going to be able to sleep at night, knowing that’s where she was taken from.

“I’ll handle it,” Kostas assures me, already pulling his phone out. “Why don’t you and Zoe go lie down and rest and once she wakes up, we’ll head out.”

Before I head to the room, I step closer to Kostas, and with Zoe sleeping between us, give him a soft kiss. “I don’t blame you for any of this. Never think that. I blame Aris and Selene.”

Kostas nods once, but I can tell by the way his eyes flinch slightly, he’ll always in some way blame himself for not keeping Zoe safe. And I get it, because I’ll always blame myself as well.

When we pull up to the house—no, house isn’t the right word, more like castle—Kostas gets out and unbuckles Zoe. She’s awake now and goes willingly with him. Unlike where Aris kept us, this place is backed up to the beach. I can smell the salt and hear the waves. My heart already feels steadier. My body already feeling lighter.

Surrounding the home is a tall block wall with a wrought iron fence running along the top. From what I can tell, it runs around the entire perimeter of the property. The house is at least three stories tall.

“Nobody is getting in or out of here without my knowledge,” Kostas says. “The home is owned by a well-known politician. It’s equipped with cameras and has a surveillance room. Once Adrian sets it all up, we’ll be able to see every inch of this place right from our phones. And those fences”—he points to the walls—“they’re wired with five thousand volts of electricity. One touch and it will knock a person the fuck out.”

“Thank you,” I tell him, feeling like the weights have been removed from my chest and I can finally breathe again.

“Let’s go inside.”

The inside is completely furnished. Beautiful shades of cream and bright blue. White wash wood everywhere, giving the entire place an upscale beachy vibe. To the left is a huge living room and dining room—a massive floor-to-ceiling fireplace separating the two. To the right, from what I can tell, is the kitchen. In the middle is a stunning white wash spiral staircase that leads to the upstairs.

“Can we stay here forever?” I joke.

Kostas doesn’t laugh, though. “If you want to.”

My head whips around to face him. “Are you serious?”

“If this is where you’ll feel safe, then it’s yours.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, when it is in fact a huge deal. This house must cost millions, and he’ll buy it just because I love it.

It doesn’t matter what I ask for, he always makes sure I get what I want. He said it in his vows that he would make sure I’m always happy, and while I didn’t believe them at the time, I know now he meant them. Even back then, when we barely knew each other, he was promising to put my happiness first.

Before I can say anything back, the front door opens and in walks Mom, Stefano, and Phoenix.

“Oh, miei cari,” Mom cries out. My darlings. She runs straight toward Zoe and me and wraps her arms around us. “I was so worried,” she cries, which makes me cry.

“We’re okay, Mom. Zoe is okay.”

Zoe wiggles in my arms and her bright blue eyes pop open. She grants my mom the most beautiful gummy smile, and Mom’s and my tears fall even harder.