Nikolas; 36. Tessa; 21.

An armed guard opens the engraved wooden door, and with a curt nod, he

steps to the side so I can enter the house. It’s only my second time visiting

the Stathoulis’ home, so the place is still foreign and intimidating. I'll never

get used to all the guards littered over the property.

A couple of weeks ago, my mother got engaged to the retired Godfather

of the Greek mafia. We’re having our first family dinner tonight, and

needless to say, I’m feeling anxious about meeting Nikolas and Athina,

Peter’s children.

The couple of times I’ve talked to Peter, it always ended with me

fidgeting like a little girl. The man has a serious set of eyebrows that makes

him look threatening and short-tempered. Even though he’s never been

hostile toward me, it always feels like I’m