~Darius' POV~
"How on earth are you getting married?!" Dimitris bursts into my bedroom just as I'm about to take off my suit jacket.
I turn to face my younger brother, who looks more stunned than I've ever seen him. How is me getting married such a catastrophe?
"How did you find out?" I ask, folding the jacket neatly before placing it on the bed.
"From Mom. She's ecstatic. She's already told the entire family, and now everyone is flying into the city." Dimitris's sapphire eyes narrow on me, like I've completely lost my mind.
"Okay, I'm guessing she told you the venue then. See you tomorrow," I wave him off, and Dimitris narrows his eyes.
I give him a look. "What? Get out of my room and my house."
Why did Theo let him in?
"You're my brother. We grew up together. You're thirty-five and never once mentioned marriage. You're like Bruce Wayne! Minus the orphan-taking in thing but you're not the marrying type."
I sigh and sit on the edge of the bed, giving him the attention he wants.
"I want to start a family," I lie through my teeth.
He huffs in disbelief. "You lost the lawsuit today and suddenly you're getting married. Who's the unlucky woman?"
"The lawyer," I say, rolling my eyes as I stand.
Dimitris's jaw drops. "What?"
Before either of us can say more, the door is kicked open and Leo and Kalliope storm in, looking like they've caught me red-handed.
"You! How on earth are you getting married?" Leo demands.
"What the hell..." I rub my forehead to steady myself.
Kalliope barrels toward the closet, then the bathroom, even the drawers. "Where did you hide her? You abducted her, didn't you?"
"Guys, he's getting married to that lawyer from the lawsuit," Dimitris blurts, like it's the end of the world. Now all three of them are staring at me as if I've finally lost my mind.
I give him a flat look. "All of you, out."
"You threatened her, didn't you?" Kalliope asks, like it's the only logical conclusion.
"Ugh!" Leo groans, throwing his hands in the air. "Of course he did. No sane woman would want to marry this psychopath."
Dimitris bursts into laughter. I shoot him a glare, and he tries to cover his mouth but still keeps snickering. I groan. "Get out. I need to sleep if I'm going to make it to my own wedding."
Kalliope storms right up to me, her sapphire eyes blazing, and grabs my arm. "Darius. Explain." Her tone is serious.
Fuck. I could toss them all out, but I know better. If I don't give them something, they'll hound me all night, and probably track down my bride before she even makes it to the church.
"We fell in love at first sight," I say smoothly. "We kept it quiet to avoid the gossip and complications especially since she was the opposing lawyer."
Dimitris seems satisfied with that, already relaxing, but Leo and Kalliope are still eyeing me like bloodhounds.
"But why the hell would you two get married the day after the hearing?" Leo bursts out laughing, twirling his eyebrow piercing. "Everyone's going to be so confused. All eyes on us..... This is awesome."
Kalliope slowly lets go of my arm and steps back. "Are you sure about this? I mean, I know everyone's already here for the wedding. Theo said all the arrangements are set too but there's danger in this, Darius. The sub-families are starting to rebel, trying to take our place as the main line. They caused that damn lawsuit you had to handle yourself, and we still lost four billion."
"A downer, as usual," Leo groans, now lounging on my couch and pouring himself a glass of whiskey. Dimitris, meanwhile, just stands there watching me like a hawk.
Sometimes I forget they're triplets. They are identical, yes but their personalities are so different it's easy to overlook.
I cup Kalliope's face and press a kiss to her forehead. She sighs in clear frustration. "Darius,"
"It's fine. I'm the head of the family, remember?"
"You're my brother first," she mutters. "She could be a spy or worse, your weakness. We can handle ourselves but what if she can't."
I lean away and glance at Leo, who for once, wears a serious expression.
"You're using this wedding to gather everyone, aren't you?" Dimitris, the ever the observer, suddenly cuts in. The room falls quiet as both Kalliope and Leo snap their eyes to him.
A smirk tugs at my lips. "That's right."
Dimitris scoffs. "I should have known."
Kalliope arches a brow, looking back at me. "You're using the wedding to seal your position."
"Exactly." My smirk sharpens. And to teach my bride a lesson too. Two birds, one stone.
Abigail was right. I am petty.
"I bet no one would imagine Darius getting married. Just like us." Leo chuckles.
"I heard her name is Abigail Nakamura," Dimitris chimes in.
Kalliope tilts her head, curiosity flashing in her sapphire eyes. "Nakamura? That sounds familiar."
"Alright, enough. Everyone out." I point toward the door, and Dimitris waves lazily before slipping out first.
"Aww, he can't wait to kiss his bride!" Leo laughs, snatching my whiskey and the glass as he strolls out making kissing noise.
Kalliope lingers, worry written across her face. I soften my expression, offering her a small smile. "There's nothing to worry about, baby sis."
Her lips curve faintly. "I know. You've handled everything since Father died. You've always been like that. It's just… you don't seem different."
I arch a brow. "Different?"
She shakes her head, a smile tugging at her mouth. "I can't wait to meet her."
"Goodnight, Kalliope. And say hi to Zolani for me."
She laughs, already halfway out the door. "I will." The door clicks shut behind her.
The smile fades from my face. I rub my forehead, pull my phone from my pocket, and text Andreas, my right hand.
[Me: Did she get home?]
His reply is immediate. [I was just about to inform you that she didn't, sir. It seems she went to stay with a friend.]
My lips twitch. Of course. She's daring enough to disobey me.
[Me: Leave her be, but keep eyes on her. She'll return to her father and come to the church regardless.]
[Andreas: Yes, sir.]