Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
“What about through the windows?” Charlie inquired.
Isidore shook his head. “The ground at that part of the house drops off sharply outside of those rooms and it’s all rocks below. If you jump out the window, you’ll survive the fall, but I guarantee you’d break at least one leg, if not both.”
Charlie turned his head and grinned at Isidore. “Then we could leisurely pick up our runner when we wanted.”
“Very true. I was thinking of placing Kairo and the command center in this bedroom here. It’s right next to a secret servants’ staircase and lets out here in the butler’s pantry. That area will be busy with the serving staff and catering company, but it keeps him away from all the party guests. He’ll be able to move undetected to a small degree as needed.”
“I can put a camera on that stairwell so I can get ample warning if anyone decides to come snooping from that angle,” Kairo offered.
“We’ll be able to relax for a few days as we will be the only ones staying at the house. The potential problem becomes about two to three days before the party,” Isidore murmured, sounding as if he were partially talking to himself.
Kairo strolled the rest of the way into the room and came to stand on the other side of his lover. He smiled to see Isidore bouncing one bent knuckle off his pursed lips as he thought. “Why’s that?”
“Several family members and a few other guests have vacation homes on Santorini. It’s very likely some of them will decide to arrive on the island early and could pop by for a visit.”
Charlie laughed. “You mean, they’re going to pull the old nosy neighbor routine and see if they can get the dirt on what you’ve been up to ahead of everyone else.”
“Yes. Exactly that. We can brush off a lot of them, but if I don’t accept any guests at all, it will be seen as rude. Rumors that I’m trying to hide something will blanket the island like a firestorm in a matter of minutes.”
“Can’t that work to our advantage? It will ensure that everyone shows up out of morbid curiosity,” Kairo countered.
Isidore sighed. “We’ll get all of our invited guests, but we’ll also end up with a hundred guests who weren’t officially invited.”
Kairo tilted his head to the side, his long hair brushing against his shoulder. “You know, your world, it’s kind of fucking chaotic and crazy. People coming and going, sticking their nose in your business, constantly talking shit about other people.”
A little smirk lifted one corner of Isidore’s mouth. “Yes, but when they get mean and want to destroy an enemy, they do it with gossip and a checkbook. It’s rare that guns are involved, unlike your world.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of plenty of rich people shooting other rich people,” Kairo teased.
Isidore leaned close and pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose. “I said rare, not impossible.”
“We’ll spread the word to the entire team to be on the watch for unexpected guests and to have their cover stories ready to go. My concern is whether your estranged family will actually show up,” Charlie interjected.
“They will. When I was arranging things with my assistant, I let it ‘slip’ that I’m excited to share someone important to me with my friends and business associates. That at least gets the boyfriend gossip flowing. If things don’t move like we expect at the party, we can initiate the engagement plan,” Isidore replied.
“They were going to show up even without spreading the rumor that you’re dating,” Athena’s voice drifted into the room. They all looked up to see her standing in the other doorway from the living room, Joey sitting on her shoulder and playing with her curly black hair. “They hate us in private and between each other, but they will never miss a chance to attend one of our parties. They’ll tell each other they aren’t going, yet show up in hopes of getting on our good side or out of fear that one of the other family members will get an advantage over them.”
“So your family not only stabs you and Isidore in the back, but each other as well?” Charlie inquired.
Athena nodded. “Pretty much.”
“For money,” Kairo scoffed.
The young woman snickered. “It’s a lot of fucking money.” She pointed at Isidore. “Didn’t you know that he’s worth more than fourteen billion euros?”
“Athena! Don’t be crude!” Isidore snapped while his cheeks flushed bright red.
Kairo grabbed Isidore’s chin and forced him to look at him. “That money doesn’t compare to the size of your kind heart or the beauty of your smile.”
“You’re too sweet,” Isidore murmured, leaning the rest of the way in for a sweet kiss.
When he pulled away, Kairo winked at him. “But I don’t mind if my new sugar daddy wants to buy me a new toy.”