ADIRA

Before we landed in New York, we had finalized the plans for Andronikos nefarious activities- a task that felt equal parts exhilarating and damning. With a little time to spare, I decided to freshen up with a quick shower, hoping to rinse off the weight of what we’d just put into motion, By the time I stepped out, the pilot’s voice crackled through the speakers, calmly announcing our impending descent and reminding us to fasten our seatbelts.

After a while, the jet landed with a smooth thud, and I let out a sigh of relief. It wasn’t the flight that had me on edge though. It was the company. Andronikos, the annoying pest, sat across from me, sipping his drink like he owned the universe- which knowing him, he might as well have.

I had decided to take a detour to Tampa to visit my parents. A simple visit, or so I thought. Andronikos, ever the meddler, insisted on tagging along. “For protection,” he claimed. Protection from what exactly? My parents’ overfeeding and endless questions about my love life?

And of course he had to drag the glorified babysitter along too.

“And why is he here?” I deadpanned, ignoring Iason’s presence and focusing all my irritation on Andronikos.

“Because I want him to be,” Andronikos replied smoothly without so much as a blink towards my direction as he adjusted his cufflinks with infuriating precision. Finally, he turned to face me, his cold gaze pining me in place. “Now, be a good girl and get into the car, yes?”

Yes, sir. Wait—no. No, Adira. Stop it. Don’t even go there.

Shaking off the entirely inappropriate thought, I climbed into the car. While doing this, I caught Iason sticking out his tongue at me, his barely contained laughter making my blood boil. I stared at him in disbelief. This man is supposed to be my “protection”? Seriously?

Not about to let him have the last word—or whatever childish thing that was—I stuck my tongue out at him in return and flipped him the bird for good measure before slamming the car door harder than necessary.

The drive was relatively peaceful, something I rather appreciated. We finally reached the sprawling gates of the mansion located in the estates occupied by mainly the rich in Tampa. The cursive A emblazoned on the gate reminded me of the empire my dad single handedly built and which soon, I’ll single handedly destroy. Driving out the dark thought from my head, I focused on calling out the code to a very disgruntled Iason who put it in allowing us to drive into the house.

As the sleek black SUV weaved its way through the luxurious pathway, passed the hedges and beautiful garden Mama usually tended to herself, Iason leaned forward, his sharp eyes taking in the scenery. “This is where you grew up? Not bad.”

“Not bad?” I repeated, glancing at him. “That’s the best you can manage? ‘Not bad’?”

“Relax, princess,” he said, smirking like the cocky ass he was. “I just expected something a little… grander.”

Any grander and Buckingham Palace would look like a fixer-upper, I thought, biting my tongue.

“Oh, I’m sorry my childhood home doesn’t measure up to your boss’ lair of villainy,” I snapped, crossing my arms.

“Lair of villainy,” he replied, amused. “You’ve been reading too many cheap novels.”

“At least I read something other than hit lists and tax loopholes.” I shot back narrowing my eyes.

“Shouldn’t you know a lot about tax loopholes? I mean being rich and all.” He retorted, waving his free hand around like he just made a valid point. And okay fine, he had a point, but I wasn’t about to admit it.

“Asshole.”

“Bitch.”

“Fucktard.”

“P-”

“Enough, you two.” Andronikos cut in; his tone sharp enough to make me sit up a little straighter.

Elated that I’d clearly won, I stuck my tongue out at Iason, reveling in my childish victory. Was it petty? Absolutely. Did it feel good? Yes, yes it did.

“Yes, Nónos,” Iason replied through gritted teeth, his annoyance practically radiating off him. I was having a mini dance party in my head when I noticed a glare aimed squarely at me. Turning my head, I found Andronikos staring, one brow raised in a silent question.

“Geez, fine.” I muttered, rolling my eyes like a sulky teenager.

“Good! Now get out of the car and introduce me to your parents.”

“Asking nicely wouldn’t kill you, you know.” I huffed, stepping out of the car.

“It might if I start with you.” He replied with a smirk.

Walking into the house, the staff greeted us warmly—well, they greeted me warmly. Their smiles faltered the second they spotted Andronikos, and honestly, I didn’t blame them. His “don’t mess with me” energy was practically a force field.

My father met us in the grand foyer, his sharp gaze cutting through Andronikos like a lion sizing up a rival. The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on, and I knew without a doubt that this wasn’t going to be some run-of-the-mil “meet the parents” scenario.

Before things could escalate though, Mama swooped in, pulling me into a tight hug and fussing over me like I’d been gone for years instead of, what, five days?

My vacation, I thought wistfully. It was so young, so full of promise. Until the demon beside me ended it prematurely.

“Welcome,” Baba said, extending his hand towards Andronikos. “You must be Mr. Karas.”

“I am,” Andronikos replied smoothly, shaking my father’s hand with a firm grip. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Abara.” His tone was polite with an edge that I’m pretty sure my father noticed immediately.

My mother led us all into the living room, and we took our seats while a few staff members brought in refreshments. Iason, as always, was stationed like a guard dog behind Andronikos, looking more like a bodyguard than a guest.

“And what line of work are you in, Mr. Karas?” Baba asked, moving straight to the point. He sounded casual, but he was anything but. He drilled holes with his eyes into Andronikos, assessing him to pick up any slight fuck up.

“Business,” Andronikos answered, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“And what kind of business is that exactly?”

“Different things. I dabble here and there. A man has to eat, doesn’t he?” he replied, his voice smooth like silk, but there was an undercurrent of danger that made the atmosphere constrictive.

Sensing the rising tension in the room, I jumped in quickly, eager to dissuade them. “Baba can we not do this right now? We just got here.”

Andronikos raised a hand, silencing me with a causal gesture. “It’s fine, Adira. Your father’s curiosity is … admirable. Ruthless and cunning, even. I respect that.” His eyes darkened and the room seemed to get colder as he added, “But it won’t get him anywhere with me.”

The silence that followed was unbearable. My father didn’t flinch though—he never did— but I could see the flicker of wariness in his eyes. He obviously didn’t trust Andronikos, something I didn’t blame him for.

Ever the diplomat, Mama quickly stepped in. “Adira, why don’t you show Mr. Karas the gazebo? It’s lovely this time of the year.”

I thanked my mother with a glance for steering the almost hostile conversation as I led Andronikos outside through he manicured gardens to the gazebo, trying to ignore the painful knot in my belly. Iason followed at a distance, probably enjoying my discomfort.

We stood in awkward silence, the sound of my parents’ argument faintly audible from the house.

“You know who he is, Cora. What he wants. We cannot let this man use our daughter like this,” Baba’s voice carried through the open window.

I glanced at Andronikos, who seemed entirely unbothered by them blatantly talking about him. Who was he, really? And why did my parents have so much fear for him?

“You’re going to be living with me,” Andronikos said abruptly, breaking the silence.

I turned to him, my eyebrows shooting up in surprise, “Excuse me?”

“Did I stutter, little girl?” he said, his gaze locking onto mine with a menacing intensity.

“No,” I replied firmly, resolute in my decision to not follow his stupid commands anymore.

He smiled darkly at me as he leaned closer. “It seems you’ve forgotten so soon that I’m not the ‘nice’ man that pretty mind of yours seems to have conjured up. Refuse me again, and I’ll remind you—painfully— of your place in my life.”

My heart dropped to my stomach at that. I hated him. I hated myself for thinking someone as insane as him would actually care. Just because we had a few conversations, shared some laughs and had the world’s best ‘tongue hockey’— which I’ve been trying desperately to forget— doesn’t mean I mean anything to him. He’s a monster through and through and I’ll do well to remember that.

As I nodded reluctantly, I hated the helplessness I felt at that moment most of all.

*******************************************

Back in my room, I shoved clothes into a random suitcase I found with more force than necessary. My mom walked in at that moment, concern filling her features.

“He seems nice,” she said, a poor attempt at a joke.

“Let’s not act like we’re not aware he’s anything but Mama,” I replied, closing the suitcase before turning to face her.

As I studied my mother, I noticed she looked thinner than usual. Her once full, rosy cheeks were now sunken, and a strange tiredness weighed on her expression. Without thinking, I reached out and gently touched her face.

“Mama, are you alright? You look unhealthy,” I said, my voiced laced with worry. She’d never looked like this before. As long as I can remember, I’d never seen Mama like this before.

“I’ll be fine, agapoula.” She said, placing her hand over mine on her face. “Just a little bug, that’s all. Nothing I can’t handle.”

I didn’t believe her, but I dropped the subject when I noticed she clearly didn’t want to discuss it.

I’ll revisit this later, I thought, grabbing the suitcase to leave.

“I know you’ll take care of yourself, Adira, but please—never trust him. Whatever you do, don’t let him have your heart. Iposchésou mou aftó.”

(Promise me that.)

Her words sent chills down my spine, the gravity of her tone tying my stomach in knots.

“Yes, Mama,” I promised her, trying to sound more confident than I felt. She nodded in acceptance, and we made our way downstairs together.

As I walked past my dad, suitcase in hand, he hugged me briefly. His usual strength seemed to falter, and I saw something I’d never before seen in my father’s eyes—fear. The great Jidenna Abara had finally met someone who could strike fear into him.

What relationship do my parents and Andronikos have?

Andronikos’ convoy waited outside the gate, a reminder of the power he wielded. I climbed into the car, trying to ignore the sinking feel in my chest.

The demon sat beside me, a smirk on his lips. “See? That wasn’t so hard.”

Without replying, I turned away from him and stared out the window, praying that somehow, some way, I’d survive this without losing myself entirely.