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“He’s nothing like me”

“No?”

“Like I said He’s honest to a fault” Aristides definitely was authentic, that was true He never tried to be anything but who he was Social niceties like courtesy and kindness were utterly unknown to

him

“Really?” Holly said doubtfully, looking at him

Stavros gave a humorless smile “Really”

He tilted his head, waiting for her answer On the other side of the towering Christmas tree, he could hear jaunty, festive e it would feel to see his father after all these years

If he did, he would feel nothing It had all happened so long ago Stavros was no longer the boy who’d desperately craved a father’s love, and been ruthlessly rejected He was strong now, untouchable, with a heart of stone

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled a cloud of smoke in the cold air The tension eased in his shoulders Feeling nothing hat Stavros did best

Holly glared at hihed “He can meet the baby” She paused “Where? When?”

“He lives in Greece, I’m afraid”

“Greece!”

He gave her a smile he didn’t feel “The Minos villa on Minos Island”

“You grew up on your own island?”

“Until I was eight” Pulling his phone from his pocket, he dialed his pilot’s nue her ”