Protogenesis: Before the Beginning by Alysia Helming

Author:Alysia Helming [Helming, Alysia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Published: 2018-04-04T16:00:00+00:00

21 – The Syndicate

I can’t say no to Ever. He needs me.

“Of course,” I say as I sink down into the soft leather seat next to him. He grabs my hand, holding it tightly.

“Thank you,” he says softly, squeezing my hand.

He gazes out the car window. As we drive through the city at maximum speed, the bustling street life in Athens swirls by us as it quickly morphs into a gray, muddied canvas interspersed with splashes of color. The outside world seems so very far away from us right now.

Before we know it, we arrive at Evaggelismos Hospital and rush inside. Once there, we check in at the front desk and are quickly ushered to a special waiting area for friends and family.

As we step inside, Ever’s dad and his newly adopted brother, Thomas, are waiting for us. My heart rate goes haywire when it dawns on me that I’m here in the same room as the notorious Georgios Sarantos…the man who tried to kill me.

Both he and Thomas look exhausted and sad, but something about Thomas is different now. His skin and hair are noticeably darker, and his eyes appear to be light brown now instead of the silver-gray color from before. Strange.

While I try not to, I can’t help but stare at Georgios Sarantos. The pictures do not do him justice. He is just as ridiculously handsome as Ever but in a more sophisticated and mature way, appearing regal and powerful with his piercing brilliantly blue eyes; short, curly dark hair; and manicured beard. And while I know that now is not the time for it, I sense that before this day is done, I will have my chance to ask where my mom is. Georgios Sarantos will know the truth, and he’s going to tell me about it. I just know it.

At first, I’m a little nervous by the presence of the two bodyguards standing near the doorway, dressed in plain black suits and staring straight ahead as if they are mannequins. But I know better. One of them is Dimitris, and I know that he’s not a mannequin. At least I’m comforted that he’s here in case Sarantos decides to take me out here and now. Dimitris wouldn’t let that happen. Neither would Ever.

“Dad? This is my friend, Helene Crawford.”

I cringe at the word “friend,” my earlier suspicions now confirmed.

When Ever’s father looks up at me, his eyes open wide as if he’s just seen a ghost. “Oh,” he says, drawing in his breath. In the next second, his demeanor shifts back into almost perfect normalcy, as if I’m nothing special. But I know what I just saw in his eyes. He knows who I am.

“Kalispera,” he says politely, extending his enormous hand to shake mine. “Thanks for being here with us.”

Before I can respond, a doctor with a clipboard steps into the room. “Sarantos?” He makes eye contact with Ever’s dad, who nods.

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