Unveiled (Torn #6)(45)
“My boy, you know I don’t like to lecture you because I find you too intelligent at most times, but you’re relationship with Claudine…” he trailed off pausing to vehemently shake his head, disapproving. “Does it need to continue? You have informed your father and I that you haven’t fully told her and she hasn’t taken the inclination to investigate herself…but must you continue on hurting this poor child? Do you even remember the time when you were on your knees, begging this same woman you’ve just hurt, to stay and remain as your wife? Do you recall how you’ve fallen apart when she decided to walk away from you again?”
Staring at Pappou with grim expression, I didn’t need to clarify that yes—I bloody recalled how often Lindsey had hurt me. I doubt I would ever forget it—those types of scars never go away even though healed. It remains with you until death releases you from its grasps.
“I like Claudine. I believed she would’ve been a great addition to the family and would’ve done justice to be wife by your side. But you made a choice—a choice that any honorable man should never forget even if temptation seeks your participation, a man of honor always resists.”
“Pappou—drunk or not, I sure as hell would remember if I had someone the night before.” I grounded out, almost angry that he didn’t even give me a benefit of the doubt that my love for Lindsey, whether belligerent or not, won’t ever sway my decision even if the woman who would choose to tempt me was an angel of beauty. My love was rooted strongly into my decisions and I simply couldn’t fathom committing such a terrible deed.
“Well…” he studied me for a moment. “That does change things a bit now, does it?”
I sighed, “it does. I know it does. I would never hurt Lindsey—especially not after she told me the kind of childhood she went through, I would never be that crass as to cheat on her the way her mother’s been treating her father. I’m not a selfish bastard, and if I had chosen that route, I’d rather leave her be to get back to her life rather than ruin more of her bright beautiful flame. She already had a twisted way of handling things, and I won’t be the reason for her to believe that her mother’s action can be a normal occurrence between people in committed relationships.”
He nodded, those sharp eyes that mirrored so much of my own gaze me immense scrutiny. “Please see to it that this is resolved, Dimitris. We Kosta men aren’t known as cheaters even though most of the male populous running with wealth does most of the time. We are a different caliber of men and I’d hate to die thinking that you, my precious grandchild, had chosen to taint that honorable belief. When we love, we love hard—so give up all these fanciful ideas of friendships or pitiful ideas of becoming business partners with Claudine. It’s either you want Lindsey or not in your life…and by choosing keeping your ex in your life, Lindsey will leave you for good this time.” He sent me a warning look. “And I do believe that’s not what you want, is it?”
I grounded my teeth. “I wouldn’t try to argue with you if that wasn’t my intention, Pappou.”
“Good,” he murmured before taking a long sip of his coffee. “A fiery woman like Lindsey Mason need not of a man who can’t fight for her. Secure her love. Secure it forever if you must.”
Staring at him, I barely made an audible sound as I tried to weigh in where his thoughts were heading. I was closest to Pappou compared to my own father but sometimes, the old man liked to taunt certain subjects I had no intentions of discussing. He was stubborn as I was, and though I loved him to no end, it was that emotion that he knew so well that made it his privilege to throw “suggestions” as he would likely put it, to my attention.
Recalling Pappou’s visit as I watched the fire in the nearby torch dance about Lindsey’s beautiful eyes made me feel like a man who was drowning and in dire need of some rescue. But that was the thing, rescuing myself wouldn’t do much any good because this helplessness wouldn’t go away until I had righted my wrong. And since I couldn’t immediately resolve the shadiness of the situation right this instant, I settled in lavishing my eyes at the very bright beauty that was all beaming with smiles, eyes glittering before me as she sipped her champagne. “I don’t want to sound like a spoilt brat because we both know that you always throw that at me whenever you’re angry...but I do love it when you spoil me. Much more so when it’s just you and me…so thank you—thank you for taking a break in your hectic schedule to spend some good times with little ole me.”
Christ she was too adorable sometimes…even more so when she had this child-like fascination in her. “Don’t thank me…this is just a simple gesture I intend to do throughout the years. I know being with me and loving my stubborn arse can take a toll on anyone. Ask Pappou, he’d simply attest to that sentiment. But yes, I already cleared my schedule that I’m bound to take a short hiatus from work to enjoy some time with you every three to four months or so, depending on father’s availability to take over those certain days. His life is rather hectic with all those European golf vacations he’d been rather too fond of…”
“Really?” Her eyes grew wide and big. “Elias is willing to do that for you?”
“No…not me…” I shook my head. “But for us—he’s willing to sacrifice some of his precious retirement time for you and me.”