The Drakos Dynasty - Book 3

19 - Thru the Looking Glass of Hope

Waking up to the sounds of laughter and children had been the last three months of her life. She had been wounded but not fatally so. Her saving Kristos was the one thing that saved his secret of being the infamous hitman, The Ghost of Greece.  Kris had left Arianna in Rayne’s care for the last three months so he could find a way to get his head on straight. They talked every day and even some days in code.

 Kristos had decided he couldn’t be the father Arianna deserved and she would be better knowing Zane and Sophia as her family. His love for her was so great, he could surrender her to a better life. Rayne didn’t agree with this and knew one day he would regret the decision but the love of her nonbiological brother was so strong, she promised to keep her safe and raised well.  Zane knew a lot of what had gone on and that Ari was now his sister too. Truth be told he was so happy about that, it showed.

 Rayne walked out to the living room where Dimitri and Darius were playing twister with Zane and Ari. Well Ari was trying to at least. Sophia was in her bouncy chair waving her leg up and down to rock the chair and coo madly at the goings on. There had been much tragedy and heart ache in the Drakos family in the last years but finally the Dynasty they wanted to begin was in full force.  There were two girls in the Drakos line now and Zane Ryker was a force of nature.  Angelos had reported recently that Billee was expecting their first children, twins!

 They had renovated the main house and gone through with the additions to the secondary house. Kristos rarely came home for longer than one day and sold the property out right to Rayne.  He wanted Ari to have part of the ranch when she became old enough and Rayne promised it to happen.  The secondary home was where family stayed when they were in town.

 Rayne leaned on the door frame of their new bedroom and watched the happiness unfold with the antics of two fathers completely in love with all their children. Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she looked to see Kristos calling her.

 “Brother. How goes it today?” She said softly.

 “I need words from home. Today is a sad day. I miss her everyday Rayne. She was the love of my life.”

 “The other love of your life is currently trying to play twister like she is eight. She is going to be a feisty one. You shouldn’t miss this Kris. Come home. Be part of our family. We can all live here. I miss you terribly.”

 There was silence on the other end for a moment. His breathing was all Rayne heard.  Kris stood in the backyard watching from a small distance, watching Rayne stand there and the kids playing in the middle of the living room together happily. He could see it all through the many plate glass windows with the curtains pulled back so the sun could shine in.

 “Rayne, I am a killer. You know this, you have always known this. I am not good for her. You are the perfect mother and woman. Love her like you do me. Keep her safe and let her live happily please. I love you Rayne Arianna Mills. You will always be the one woman to keep me grounded. Thank you for never abandoning me.”

 She teared up and wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at the ceiling trying to control the emotions.

 “Kristos, please.”

 “No tears my sister. I will see you soon. And when I do, I will tell you how much I like that new haircut and the way your blue eyes show brightly in that shirt. Be safe. I am on a job and we will be in code for a few days.”

 Rayne walked to the back door and placed her hand on it palm wide and fingers spread. Searching, looking for his face. There, behind a tree she saw him at a distance. His hair was longer, in a ponytail. His face was covered in goatee and a smile. She looked at him pleadingly. Just a hug, an embrace.

“You owe me after this job. I need to touch your face. You hear me? I will hunt you the f**k down Kristos. I am not joking.” She said in a loud whisper.

 “Yes, Rayne. I promise. Love you.”

 She smiled and hung up the phone looking back to the tree he was gone. Her life was happy and fulfilled. She had three kids to raise and two husbands that would give her the world.

 “What are we looking at mommy?” Zane said placing his hand on the glass door the same as hers.

 “Hope. We are looking at hope Zane.” She said her tears flowing freely as she watched the sun peak over the top of the trees.

Kris watched from a different angle. The tears he watched Rayne release for him caught in his throat. He wanted to be with her. He missed her laugh and her hugs. The sound of his Miranda’s laughter rang in his mind again. He shook it away and turned to leave. His happiness was knowing his legacy lived on inside that home with the one person in his life he loved beyond all others. Rayne Arianna Drakos.

 Rayne turned from the door and looked at Darius and then Dimitri. They could see her tears and knew it well.

“Alright who wants waffles??” Darius said loudly.

 Ari cheered, Zane danced around like he had won the best prize in the world and Rayne let out a woohoo.  She turned to look one more time at the yard, seeing nothing she shoved the phone in her pocket and rushed forward scooping up Arianna and kissing her cheeks. Looking to Sophia she could do nothing but laugh as she noticed Mr. Piggy was sitting with her. Zane nodded and pointed. Hope – he mouthed. Rayne shook her head and danced around with Ari while Darius made waffles. This was how it was supposed to be. Family.