They’d already uncorked a second bottle of wine and were sitting in a pair of lounge chairs, overlooking the sea, when Athena returned home midafternoon.

Giánnis spoke in a stage whisper.

“Shhhh,” he said with a conspiratorial grin. “The boss is home.”

Athena beamed as the two men rose to greet her. She had changed from her work clothes into a lavender sarong and a white silk blouse that she’d tied at the waist. Her hair was down and there was no grimace on her face, no phone in her hand, and no shoes on her feet. She had a firm hug for her father and soft kisses on both cheeks for Jake.

For the first time since Jake had met her, she looked at peace.

A complicated wave of emotions washed over him. He felt truly at home with Giánnis and he and Athena had opened up to each other in a way he hadn’t done in years. The joy that Jake had been missing in his life had finally returned, displacing the loneliness and despair that gnawed at him when he wasn’t on the job. It was as if he were part of a family.

And it tore him apart, knowing that he had to lie to them.

Athena took him by the arm.

“Is he dead?” she said.

“Soon,” Jake said.

“I hope you don’t think I’m being morbid, but we should celebrate.”

“You need to keep those gates closed outside,” Jake said.

“You worry too much,” she said. “I’ve moved our business away from the agent, but I’m stringing him along—promising him more business down the road. He doesn’t suspect anything.”

She led Jake to the dining room. The table was set for three, with a white tablecloth, silver flatware, and a champagne bucket. Giánnis caught sight of his daughter, animated and grinning as she led Jake to the seat across from hers. The old man smiled. It had been a long time since he’d seen her so happy. Everyday life might have been slipping past the shipping magnate, but he was still processing things that were important to him.

“You have him?” Giánnis asked.

Athena tightened her grip on Jake’s arm, although the older man had been referring to the pirate.

“We have a plan,” Jake said.

He felt profoundly guilty. These kind and generous people trusted him, they’d helped him in the pursuit of a greater good, and it turned his stomach knowing that he was working with the man who’d killed their son and brother.

Athena popped the champagne cork and handed Jake a glass. She wasn’t wearing the engagement ring. He looked up and met her eyes. She smiled. It was a smile of contentment, of closure.

“Yamas,” Athena called out. “To our health.”