Arrangements are being made to equip you with a new wardrobe. My mother tells me the things you left behind are hopelessly out of date.’
I frowned, the change of subject from the soul-stirring miracle of Andreos’s birth to the mundanity of high fashion throwing me for a few seconds. ‘I don’t need a new wardrobe.’
‘Perhaps not—but might I suggest you let the stylists come anyway? Who knows? You might find something you like for our first engagement on Saturday,’ he replied.
The last tendrils of yearning had left his voice, to be replaced by the cadence I knew best. One of powerful mogul. Master of all he surveyed. Despite the pleasant heat of the sun a cool breeze whispered over my skin, bringing me harshly back to earth.
‘What’s happening on Saturday?’
‘It’s been four days since you returned. It’s time we presented you properly to the world. My mother has organised a party in your honour. She was unwell when we married last year, and couldn’t make it to the ceremony. She’s anxious to meet you. And, of course, she’s yet to meet her grandson. Call this a belated welcome, if you will, but several business acquaintances will be there, so it’s imperative that everything goes smoothly.’
‘Is it really necessary to parade me before your friends and family?’
‘I think it’s best to put the rumours to rest once and for all. Then we can concentrate on our son.’
While his attention to Andreos warmed my heart, the prospect of being paraded before his family and business didn’t. ‘And how do you propose we do that? Is there a storyline I need to follow, chapter and verse?’
He smiled as if the thought of playing out a role so publicly was water off his back. ‘Leave that to me,’ he stated cryptically. ‘All I require from you is to present a picture-perfect image of loving wife and mother. I trust I can count on you to do that?’
For the sake of uninterrupted bonding with my son I would go to hell and back. ‘Yes.’
Perhaps my agreement was too quick. Perhaps the depth of feeling behind it was too revealing. Whatever, his gaze grew contemplative, stayed fixed on me.
And when he walked away, moments after the meal was done, I got the distinct feeling there were more bumps and curves on this peculiar road I’d taken than I’d initially realised.
A PRE-PARTY FAMILY MIXER.
A harmless-sounding statement until you were confronted by the full might of the formidable Xenakis clan.
The gathering had been deceptive. Over the course of two hours they’d trickled in—some by car, others by boat. And Axios’s formidable-looking brother Neo, looking a little distracted and a lot harassed, had come by sleek helicopter, with the iconic Xenakis Aeronautics logo emblazoned on its side.
Inexorably the trickle became a stream, and then a torrent. By four p.m. the largest salon in the villa, the surrounding terrace and the perfectly manicured lawn were overflowing with aunts, uncles, cousins and distant offshoots—some from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand.
Fascinatingly, despite the low buzz of tension surrounding their interactions, there were no overt signs of dissent.
Perhaps because I was their main focus.
I didn’t want to admit it, but the six-hour makeover session I’d endured earlier in the day boosted my confidence now, as impeccably dressed men and couture-clad women approached the place where I stood next to Axios, with a wide-eyed Andreos nestled in my arms.
My hair had been brought back to shoulder-length, layered and trimmed into loose stylish waves that gleamed with new vitality. And the rails upon rails of new clothes hanging in the closets of my vast dressing room, complete with matching accessories and priceless jewellery, were the pièce de résistance.
After months of wearing flats and tie-dye sundresses, and ponytailing my hair, the transformation took a little getting used to. While the teardrop diamond necklace glittering just as bright as the pristine white linen shift dress and tan platform shoes were making me feel intensely aware of the kind of circles I’d married into.
The most striking of the women within those intimidating circles was Electra Xenakis—Axios’s mother.
Her hair was a distinctive grey, which had been used to enhance her beauty rather than been dyed away, and it framed an angular face, highlighting superb cheekbones and the striking grey eyes she’d passed on to her sons. Tall and slender, with a ramrod-straight posture, she was formidable—until she gave a rare smile. Then warmth radiated from her every pore, and the icy grey palazzo pants and matching top she wore were suddenly not so severe.
On meeting Andreos she dissolved into hearty tears. And that unfettered display of love for her grandchild thawed the cold knot of apprehension inside me, easing my anguish at the thought of a permanent separation from my child.
The distance I’d needed to get my composure back after handing Andreos over to his grandmother lasted mere minutes before I sensed a presence beside me. It wasn’t as visceral and all-encompassing as Axios’s, but it demanded attention nevertheless.
I glanced up to find Neo Xenakis standing before me.
‘I never quite got the chance to welcome you into the family last year.’ His tone was measured, his eyes just as probing as his brother’s.
‘I guess the circumstances weren’t exactly…conducive,’ I replied.
‘Ochi, they weren’t. But your disappearing act didn’t help matters, I expect?’
I stiffened. ‘I had my reasons,’ I replied.
Without answering, he dropped his gaze to the contents of the crystal tumbler he clutched. ‘Whatever they were, I hope it was worth keeping a father from his child?’
Again his tone was more appraising than censorious, as if he was attempting to understand my motives. Again my guilt resurfaced. And this time brushing it away wasn’t easy.
Before I could formulate a response, a deeper and more visceral voice asked, ‘Is everything all right?’
For me not to have sensed his arrival spoke volumes of the kind of magnetism the Xenakis men possessed. And now Axios had arrived next to me the force of their presence had doubled. Their sole focus was on me, but one set of grey eyes was vastly more potent than the other, sending my composure into free fall.
I took a long, steadying breath to reply, ‘We’re fine.’
Axios’s gaze slid from mine to his brother, a clear question in his eyes.
Neo’s expression clouded for a moment, then he shrugged. ‘Like your wife said, we’re fine. No need to go Neanderthal on me.’
Before either of us could enquire what he meant, he excused himself and struck out for the large gazebo on the south side of the garden, currently decked out with fairy lights and free of guests.
‘Is he okay?’ I felt compelled to ask.
Axios’s gaze stayed on him long enough to see his brother lift a phone to his ear before he turned to me. ‘His issues aren’t mine to disclose, but Neo is touchy on the subject of babies. Like the rest of the family, news about his nephew’s existence surprised him. But, since Andreos is single-handedly winning everyone over, I suspect the circumstances of his arrival will be forgiven soon.’
Had he deliberately excluded himself from that statement? Unwilling for him to see the bite of anguish that distinction brought, I turned my gaze to where the majority of the Xenakis clan had now gathered, choosing to see the bright side.
Andreos was indeed holding centre stage, tucked into his favourite blanket and nestled lovingly within his