He kept trying to catch Popi alone, but she was forever talking with this person or that person. He just wanted a brief word with her. He hoped once she knew he wanted custody of the child that she’d withdraw her petition. And in the meantime, he’d pay for her medical expenses and anything else she needed. Could it be that simple?
Apollo didn’t miss how Popi spoke to everyone she passed. There were a lot of hugs and smiles. Everyone was enjoying themselves. He was impressed with how this group of people could act like one big, happy, functional family, whereas his own blood relatives had never experienced anything close to this easiness with each other. Not that he ever needed a close-knit family. He did fine on his own.
Apollo’s father had had two loves in his life while Apollo was growing up: the family business and his bottle of bourbon. Nile inherited their father’s passion for the family business. Apollo never forgot Nile’s obsession with all things Drakos. The thing Apollo never figured out was whether his brother’s interest in the business was an effort to please their demanding father or if Nile just loved the business world to the exclusion of all else—until he’d met Andrina.
Everything had changed after Nile fell for Andrina. It was evident in his phone calls with his brother. Nile’s voice had been full of happiness and he’d grown excited about the future, which was no longer centered on the business, but instead Nile was excited about the family he and Andrina were creating. However, Apollo didn’t believe that happiness lasted.
And then he’d been proven right, again. The news of their deaths was like a one-two punch to the kidney. Emotionally it had knocked him out.
In a blink, his brother had been stolen away. Even now the pain of loss emanated outward from Apollo’s chest. He didn’t know how Popi was holding it all together—maybe it was due to the baby. She was being strong for it. He had to admire such strength and courage.
It was then that Popi approached him. And by her stiff posture, he was certain she was not happy about him crashing this wedding. Maybe this hadn’t been such a great idea after all, but he was there now so he might as well stay and get this over with.
He was propped against a tall white column. He didn’t move, as Popi was headed straight for him. “What are you doing here?” Her gaze narrowed. “You aren’t part of the moving crew, are you?”
“Never said I was.”
“But you let me believe you were.”
“As I recall, you were in too much of a hurry to get the details.”
Popi crossed her arms and glared at him. “Who are you?”
He cleared his throat. “I tried to tell you back at the bungalow—”
Just then there was the tinkle of a glass as people were called to take a seat for dinner. The bride motioned for Popi to join her at the head table.
Popi signaled that she was coming before she turned back to him. “I have to go.”
Without waiting for him to respond, she turned her back to him and walked away. His gaze naturally followed the sway of her hips.
“This isn’t over.” The gentle breeze carried his words, but Popi was too far away to hear him.
He’d walked away from his brother, not intending for it to be forever, but that’s exactly what had happened. He would never again speak to Nile, argue with him or take comfort in his brother’s concern for his well-being. Without Nile, he utterly felt adrift in this great big world.
And then when he’d been informed about Nile’s child—his last living link to his brother—Apollo knew in that moment that he had to set things right. Or as right as was possible. He owed Nile that much and so much more.
In the next breath, the attorney had informed him that Popi was seeking custody. If he didn’t stop her, he would lose a tangible link to his brother—his only chance to do the right thing as far as his brother was concerned.
Apollo had vowed then and there to never walk away from the baby. It was all the family he had left. He would learn from his past and not make the same mistakes again—the stakes were too high.
Apollo was generally straightforward, but with a baby involved perhaps a gentler approach was in order. His father had been a very blunt man. Apollo knew how it felt to be on the receiving end of that bluntness. He wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Maybe a bit of charm and a few kind words would smooth the path to claiming his niece or nephew. He didn’t know if it’d work, but it was worth a try. He didn’t want to make this harder on Popi than it needed to be. But in the end, he intended for the baby to live with him at the Drakos estate.
POPI BARELY ATE her dinner at the reception.
Her gaze kept moving over the crowd of well-wishers, searching for the strikingly handsome man. He seemed so familiar to her and yet she was certain they hadn’t met before, but how could that be?
And what did he want with her? If he was a disgruntled client, he would want to speak with Lea, as she was the owner of the island and the wedding business. But Popi hadn’t noticed a wedding ring on his finger.
Lea leaned over. “Is everything all right?”
Not wanting to alarm the bride on her big day, Popi said, “Yes, of course.”
Lea’s brows drew together. “Then why haven’t you eaten?”
Popi glanced down. At one point, the food had looked appetizing, but now her stomach was a twisted-up ball of nerves. “I...um...was just distracted.”
Lea arched a fine brow at her. “Distracted, huh? With that handsome guy I saw you chatting with?”
Popi’s gaze searched the area, not finding any sign of him. She didn’t know what to say to Lea. She didn’t want the bride worrying about the mystery man.
“Popi?”
She turned back to the bride. “He’s, um, with the movers. There was some kind of mix-up and he showed up a day early. I hope him crashing the wedding hasn’t upset you.”
A look of disappointment skittered across Lea’s face. “So he wasn’t here at your invitation?”
Popi gave a firm shake of her head.
“I’ll have him escorted off the island—”
“No. Don’t.” There was something about his serious tone and the feeling she should know him that had her anxious to learn his story. “I’ve got it.”
Lea looked hesitant. “You’re sure?”
Popi nodded. The truth was she wasn’t sure about anything—especially why this man was so eager to speak with her.
Lea let the subject drop. And with the mystery man now gone, Popi forced herself to eat a few bites of food. The evening moved along with the groom, Xander, dancing the traditional zeibekiko. The crowd clapped as Xander’s arms rose over his head. He snapped his fingers as he moved in a tight circle. He stopped in front of Lea and dropped to his knees, still waving his arms over his head. The crowd loved it, most especially Lea. The smile on the bride’s face lit up the whole room.
One dance led to another. The bride and groom were all smiles, as they had eyes only for each other. Popi considered this wedding a success. She took her first easy breath.
And the next thing she knew, she was being led around the dance floor by the best man, Roberto, who was also Xander’s close friend and second-in-command.