When Nikolos released his son from their hug, I could see that Christos had tears in his eyes. I rubbed him on the back of his tuxedo as he hung his head.
“Sorry,” he muttered.
“It’s okay,” I reassured, wrapping both my arms around him.
After a moment, I looked up and saw Nikolos’ eyes suddenly widen in surprise.
I turned to look behind me at whatever had caught his attention.
My chest tightened into a knot.
The most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my entire life walked up behind me across the dining room. She had flowing dark hair and brilliant blue eyes. Everyone was staring at her. She commanded attention without even trying. She could easily be a supermodel, even though she was older. Her long blue scoop neck dress draped elegantly to her toes. I had no idea who she was, but I could make a pretty good guess. My heart jumped into my throat.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” she said in an elegant voice. “My flight was delayed, but I wouldn’t miss this day for the world.”
Christos turned to her. Shock blotted out all the expression on his face as he went white. His face sagged. He looked like he was seeing a ghost. He was absolutely stunned when he said, “Mamá?”
The woman opened her arms to her son, “Paidí mou…”
My jaw dropped.
“Vesile?” Nikolos gasped. “Kardia mou?”
Vesile looked between Christos and Nikolos with silent tears dripping from her eyes. She said, “I’ve missed you both.”
THE END.
For now…
===
A NOTE FROM DEVON:
Every ending is always a beginning. I was genuinely sad to say goodbye to Samantha, Christos, Romeo, and the gang as I penned (err, typed…it’s not like I used a fountain pen) the final scenes of this book. I literally slowed down in my writing because I didn’t want things to end.
I have so many stories left to tell about the gang, as you may have noticed. What does Spiridon do when he’s out? What happened between him and Professor Walt Childress so many years ago to make Spiridon stop painting? What about Madison and her surf shop with Jake? Will Kamiko end up a doctor or an artist? What about Romeo? You know he’s destined for something flamboyantly spectacular.
And of course, there’s Nikolos and Vesile. Theirs is a love that makes me literally weep when I think about it. How else can you explain how Christos turned out so awesome? He had the best role models imaginable until the stresses of life tore Nikolos and Vesile apart. Who wants to hear their story? I know I do.
And last but not least, Tiffany.
She wasn’t such a bitch after all.
No wonder Christos always treated her so well.
What’s going to happen to Tiffany? Her life is a total mess. I’d love to know!
Wow, there’s so many stories left to tell about my San Diego homies.
But for now, they all need a rest. They’ve been on set, performing their hearts out for you, dear reader, for the last nine months! ;-)
Now it’s Victory Payne’s turn. She wants to be a rockstar. Like, really, really badly.
And who doesn’t love a good rockstar story?
Want to get an email when Devon’s next book is released?
Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/B7crf
Victory
a Rocker Romance series
starring Victory Payne and those hotties Lucas & Logan Summer
coming Spring 2014
Personal thanks from Devon Hartford:
Thank you, dear reader, for taking the time to live with Samantha, Christos and the gang for awhile! If you enjoyed Reckless, please leave some positive feedback on Amazon, Goodreads, or any book blogs you frequent. Be sure to tell your friends about it!
If you want to drop me a line, you can find me at any of the links below. I love to hear what you have to say, and I love to talk books!
-Devon
Like me on Facebook
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Follow me on Twitter @DevonHartford
Follow me on WordPress at devonhartford.com
===
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Devon Hartford spent most of his life in Southern California, frequenting many of the locations in Reckless. Devon also paints. His background in the arts was the inspiration for this book.
OTHER BOOKS BY DEVON HARTFORD:
Fearless (The Story of Samantha Smith #1)
Reckless (The Story of Samantha Smith #2)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First and foremost I need to thank fellow New Adult author Elle Casey. She has gone above and beyond in her efforts to help me get this series off the ground and get it into the hands of you, the reader. You should definitely check out her work!
Secondly, thanks to all my passionate and fantastic beta readers: Neicy Cassidy, The REAL Julie England, Kerrisha Budhu, Megan C Christmas, Sarah Welsh (a.k.a. Princess Frilly-Bottoms of the Land of Willow), Bethanie Melander, Maria Combee, Eileen Fitzharris, Mandy Karsa, Anne Berkeley, Jenene Townsley, Brandy Everard, Natasha Slater, Stephanie Svajgl, Dora Kitinas, Kimber, Muriel Garcia, Sandye, Crystal Hoffman, Darlene Weber, Whitney "sugar peas" Hutchinson, Steffini Walker Texas Ranger, Wendy Boyer, Jenny Bayes, Michele McKenzie, Sarah, Kerri-Anne Carruthers, Rosanne Triegaardt, Jo Cox, Lynn Walters, Jenn Hedge (Beta Speed Queen), Nicki Hewitt-Hart, Teresa Hamman, Ashley Lorene Hall, Nancy Byers, Tania Clark, Sandye, Kelly Hirsh, and Lynnette Kucharski for invaluable feedback and encouragement!
Becs Glass and Sinfully Sexy Books for dedicated book pimping love!
Chrissy Zent Sharp for awesome book pimpery via The Book Whore-der's Delights. Be sure to check them out if you’re a Romance reader.
And thanks to everybody else who has helped make this book a reality!
WHILE YOU’RE WAITING FOR THE RELEASE OF MY NEXT NOVEL:
Don’t forget to read these books by my friends and fellow romance authors Jane Harvey-Berrick (Lifers) and Delia Steele (Broken).
Lifers by Jane Harvey-Berrick: After eight years in prison, twenty-four year old Jordan Kane is the man everyone loves to hate. He is the local pariah in his home town, shunned by everyone, including his own parents. But their hatred of him doesn’t come close to the loathing he feels every time he looks in the mirror. Torrey Delaney is new in town, and certainly doesn’t behave in a way the locals believe a preacher’s daughter should. As friendship forms between Jordan and Torrey, can two damaged people find their place in the world? Is love a life sentence?
Broken by Delia Steele: Lexi has developed a very nasty shell around her BROKEN heart and picked up a BDSM lifestyle for all the wrong reasons. She hides her true self to the point of losing it completely. She is wild, angry, conceited, foul, and refuses to let anyone into her world. Until Cameron…a sweet country boy with a heart of gold. Can he help Lexi find the light in her darkest days, or will her darkness be the death of him? But how can he help her if she doesn’t even realize just how BROKEN she truly is?
17+ (Language and Sexual Content may not be suitable for some readers)
Painless (The Story of Samantha Smith #3) Page 55