Of The Drakos Kind ~ Book 2

6 - Dinner & Drakos

Rayne was packing up her bag to head back to the Villa and make dinner for her and Billee. She was excited to see how the first day of interviews went and was sincerely hoping the job would be offered immediately. The ride back on the scooter was quick and she proceeded to shower before taking on the task of making food. Her skin was warm and slightly reddened from the day in the sun. The lukewarm water of the shower felt amazing and caused her body to react in kind. Her mind slipped to Dimitri in the market. His scent, his eyes and the way he looked down on her triggered remembrances of days past. Running her hand over her breasts and side, she let out a moan thinking of her first time in the shower with the brothers Drakos. Just as her body started to ramp up in a s****l way her brain halted it all with one thought. Darius. Tears fell so quickly she didn’t even feel them coming. She hadn’t cried or thought of this so intensely in years. His touch and voice was fresh on her mind. She missed him. Her sobs were infinite and full. Finally she would be able to say her peace, even if just to a grave and find some closure.

Walking into the kitchen she looked at the items left in the fridge. Eggs, veggies, a few potatoes, butter, bread, cream and wine. She smiled, soufflé! Getting to work she painstakingly cutting the veggies and preparing the souffle’. Rayne turned on some music on the radio channel of her phone. After about forty-five minutes she had finished the souffle’ to the point of just needed its final bake of thirty minutes. Looking at the time on her phone she wondered when Billee would be home. Before she could text Billee her phone chimed making Rayne almost drop her phone.

‘I haven’t forgotten. You will get what is coming very soon. You will pay dearly.’

Rayne looked at the text and didn’t know the number. Texting it back – ‘Sorry wrong person’ She waited about five minutes and realized, it must have been just that, a wrong number. She had gotten some odd texts before but nothing so mean and full of innuendo. Shrugging her shoulders and deleting the text, she sent one to Billee.

“What time will you be home?”

“I am right here!” Billee said walking through the door laughing and jumped through the doorway in a ‘tada’ stance.

“How was your day?” Rayne asked chuckling.

“Really interesting. Got some s**t to tell you! First and foremost it pays 175 thousand dollars a year in addition to a paid place to live, most expenses taken care of and all I need to buy is food, my personal cell and clothes. That is more than I would have hoped. Now to the interesting part. I almost kissed, nay, made out with, my soon to be boss. And if it is possible, he wanted it more than me.”

Rayne stopped wiping off the counter and turned to look right at her best friend. Billee hadn’t spoken “need man” in almost nine months. This one must have been something special.

“Are you f*****g kidding me right now? What did he look like? Why would you want to kiss him? Was his package… Mmmmhmmm?” she bit her finger teasingly while wagging her eyebrows up and down.

“Giiiiirrrrlll, you don’t even know. He smelled good, looked good in his fitted designer suit and those eyes. Geezus, I was pretty damn sure I was going to lay him out and ride him hard.”

“So what happened? Did you? Are you hired?”

“We got interrupted right before a kiss by someone in need of my medical expertise but I am pretty sure we are not meeting tomorrow because of it. So I am free tomorrow we can lounge by the pool and drink things that make us giggle.”

Rayne nodded and grabbed her phone sending an email. It entailed something to the effect of …if the pool is still available, I would like to use it for one more day. Pretty please. Rayne.  The response was returned near immediately, as if he were waiting on the request.

“Ms. Mills, Please feel free to utilize the pool and pool house tomorrow as requested. We are glad you are enjoying your stay. Let us know if there is anything else, we can do for you. Signed, A.D”

Rayne read the response out loud. Billee smiled, “We could use some hot cabana boys in very small swimsuits, never ending drinks delivered and a massage.” They both high fived and laughed just as the timer for the food went off.

“What are we having?”

“Veggie souffle’. It’s the one I make at home sometimes and you love it.”

Billee grabbed two plates and two forks holding them out for Rayne to dish out portions. Billee wasn’t a souffle’ person but this one was heaven in her mouth. Discussing the plans for the following day they decided to walk to the pool together. While it was a bit of a trek the two of them on a scooter wasn’t exactly safe. Cleaning up dinner and putting the leftovers in the fridge, Billee went and took a shower while Rayne finished up the dishes. The sound of the soft wind whipping on the patio called Rayne’s name. She made a cup of coffee and stood out on the patio watching the night sky take over. This was quite possibly the most beautiful place on earth. This would have been her life. This would have been Zane’s life. How she wished she could give this to him, drama free and full of family. Perhaps she should consider moving closer to Kris, Miranda and her namesake Goddaughter, Arianna. Having them close would be so nice but also awkward at some point if family came to visit. She knew having Kris and a son of Drakos in her life would eventually cause the mingling of paths with Dimitri but to avoid it if possible was her end game.  No one knew but Kris and Miranda of his existence. One day, when he was older, seasoned and truly able to make his own decisions, Rayne would tell Zane the whole truth. He may be angry or hurt but this was for the best at the time. His young mind and soul didn’t need to deal with what her selfishness and love created. Not to mention, she didn’t know what Dimitri would do with a child. Would he learn to love more? Would he be more drawn away and cold? It wasn’t a scenario she wanted to chance, no matter how much she missed him.

Taking in a deep breath she turned to see a freshly showered Billee walk onto the patio with coffee and a piece of pomegranate.

“Good shower? Work out some demons?” Rayne chuckled.

“I might have thought through some situations I might wish to find myself in... but in all seriousness, I just really want this job. Do you think you would move here with me? Or at least come for a month here and there?”

“You bet! I don’t think I will move here. Zane loves you but his ties to Kris and the crew are so heavy right now. I am thinking of moving closer to them with you leaving.”

“Honestly Rayne, that sounds smart. You all should be close. Speaking of close did you get the pics from Marcos and Brayden in New York at the art show? Marcos is blowing up and it is mostly your body that did it.”

“YES! They look so hot together and did you hear? Someone bought all the pictures of me and you? Marcos made over ten million in the one show alone. He asked me for another photo shoot!” Rayne said excited.

“You should! Your body is even worthier of being art than before! Having Zane made you even sexier. Bitch.”

They both laughed and discussed it would have to be somewhere away from home. Marcos and Brayden didn’t know about Zane either and she liked it that way. Although unsure they would sell her out to Dimitri, she didn’t want to take that chance. He had the money and power to take Zane away from her and she was scared. Not that she thought he would want a kid underfoot but she wasn’t willing to gamble.

They sat listening to the sounds of Greece and the small town below that seemed to be holding a party of sorts as it echoed up the hills. It was lively and made the girls smile. This was the moment their lives were about to split apart and go on different paths. Thankfully, the cosmos saw fit to give them both this time together. The ding on Rayne’s phone was loud from the kitchen and she ran into get it. Swiping on the video there was the most beautiful face of mini Dimitri and Darius looking back at her.

“How is my little dragon? I have missed you!”

“Oh mommy I am NOT a little dragon. I am a medium sized scary dragon.”

She snickered at his analogy. Zane was too intelligent for his own good and made her smile at most moments.

“Ok then my medium sized scary dragon, how are you doing? What have you done so far today?”

“Well, I went swimming and water went up my nose. So now we know nose plugs are a must, I played in the sandbox with Unca Kris and build a killer sandcastle then we played cards and I won all the pennies. Unca Kris sucks, I mean stinks at cards. He has no future in it…”

“Well…thank you for correcting the words sucks and I am glad to hear you are having a good time. I miss you.”

“I know Mommy. I am very miss-able. But you should be having super fun. Will you bring me a present?”

“I will my love. You are being best behavior and loving cousin, right?”

“Duh, mommy. Question….” His pause was ominous.

“Oh lord, yes Z?”

“Who is Angelos? He was cussing a lot and kept talking about your name when on the video with Kris. Is he more family? Are you holding out on me mommy? More family, more love and birthday presents.” His smile was smug.

She didn’t want to lie. She wanted to tell him that was also his family but fear of the questions coming forward more she tried to change the subject.

“I don’t know I will as Kris. You brushing your teeth and cleaning up after yourself?”

“Ugh. Yes ma’am. I have to go. It is time for snack and we get cheese and crackers today. Woohoo!”

And without much more than a kiss he was gone from the screen. Kris’ head popped into view with a disgruntled look on his face.

“Would you like to explain the Angelos question or are you going to be more careful?” Rayne asked straight.

“Honestly, it was in my office with the door shut. I don’t have a clue how he heard it. If it comes up, I will deflect but maybe at some point we need to just let this all open up and let people deal. I won’t let my cousin near you and you are strong enough to handle this Rayne. It’s been six years.”

Strong enough to deny Dimitri? Strong enough for him to try and take my son? Nope. Not that strong. Not yet.

“I will think about it. I have to go. I will check in tomorrow.” She swiped the video chat closed.

Kris knew she was angry. He hadn’t intentionally caused this issue. As a matter of fact, he wondered where Zane had been to hear it all and looked around his office. Maybe it was time for this all to come to light. Karma was in charge, obviously, and he wasn’t arguing.