Daddy’s billionaire step-brother
Chapter 68: kori mou

Jessica leaned against the open French doors of the villa, the warm Mykonos breeze ruffling her hair as she scrolled absentmindedly through her phone. It had been a few weeks since Clara had invited her to stay, and though she was grateful,

Jessica couldn't shake the feeling that she was out of place. Clara, glowing and radiant with her pregnancy, was living a more settled life now, and Jessica could feel the change in her best friend. Things were different. Clara was happy, deeply in love with Adrian, and while Jessica adored seeing her friend so content, it made her own life feel... well, stagnant.

Clara had been incredibly kind and welcoming. She'd insisted Jessica stay as long as she wanted, but Jessica wasn't blind to the fact that Clara and Adrian were newly married. They probably wanted the villa to themselves, and besides, Clara wasn't in any state to party, which Jessica found herself craving more than ever.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay here?" Clara asked from the couch, her hand resting on her belly as she looked up at Jessica.

Jessica turned to her, shaking her head with a small smile. "Honestly, Clara, I think I'd be in your way. Plus, I'm feeling rebellious. My parents want me to go back home and take my 'rightful place' in the family business, but I'm not ready for that. I'm just not."

Clara nodded, understanding the desire for freedom. "Just promise me you'll be careful. Mykonos is wild at this time of year."

Jessica grinned. "I know. That's exactly why I want to stay." She paused, her fingers tapping against her phone. "I've been looking at hotels closer to the beach and the nightlife. It'll be more fun, and I'll be out of your hair." Clara frowned. "You're never in my way, Jess. But I get it. Just don't disappear on me, okay? I'll need you when I'm stuck here without a drink." Jessica laughed. "I'll still come by, I promise."

Later that day, Jessica found herself scrolling through luxury hotels online, trying to find something close to the heart of Mykonos' vibrant party scene. She wanted to live a little. The idea of returning home to her family, where every conversation revolved around status, wealth, and legacy, felt suffocating. She wasn't ready for that life-not yet. She was 18 and had plenty of time to be boring. For now, she wanted excitement.

While she was browsing options, her phone buzzed. It was a message from an old acquaintance-Andrew, one of her older brother's friends. He and some of his crowd were vacationing in Mykonos too and were hosting a party that night. They had a table at one of the island's hottest clubs, and he wanted to know if she was free.

Jessica smirked to herself. This was exactly what she needed. The party would be full of glamorous people, and Andrew's friends were all about excess. It would be the perfect distraction from her family's expectations.

Later that evening, Jessica found herself walking into one of Mykonos' most exclusive clubs, the pulsing beats of the music vibrating through her body. The place was packed with people-rich, beautiful, and seemingly carefree, exactly what she craved right now.

She met Andrew near the bar, where he introduced her to a group of well-dressed, older friends, all of whom had that casual arrogance of people who had never had to worry about money. She recognized a few of them from parties back in New York, but most were just faces from distant memories.

"Jess! Glad you could make it," Andrew said, slinging an arm over her shoulder. "The night's just getting started."

The club was everything she had been missing: the flashing lights, the dizzying music, the haze of excitement and danger that hung in the air. She tossed back a drink, enjoying the heady rush as the alcohol spread warmth through her veins. Jessica danced, laughed, and drank with abandon, feeling the tension and frustration of the last few weeks melt away.

It wasn't until much later, when she stepped away from the group to get a drink, that she felt it-that piercing gaze on her again. She turned slowly, her eyes scanning the crowd, and there he was.

Alekos.

He stood in the shadows near the edge of the dance floor, his tall, tattooed frame commanding the space around him. He was dressed in dark, tailored clothes, his presence exuding danger and allure. His gaze met hers, unwavering and intense, as if he had been waiting for her all night.

Jessica's heart skipped a beat, and she swallowed, feeling an unexpected thrill course through her. Their first encounter had left her both unsettled and intrigued, and now, seeing him again in the wild chaos of the club, her curiosity only deepened.

Before she knew it, Alekos was moving through the crowd toward her. People instinctively parted as he passed, as if they sensed his power without needing to be told. Jessica's breath quickened as he approached, his eyes never leaving hers. "You again," Alekos said when he reached her, his voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down her spine.

Jessica forced a smile, trying to play it cool despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. "You're hard to miss," she replied, leaning casually against the bar. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question," he said, his eyes scanning her face with an intensity that made her feel both exposed and exhilarated.

Jessica shrugged, trying to ignore the way her pulse quickened under his gaze. "Just having fun."

Alekos raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Is that what you're looking for? Fun?"

Jessica hesitated, her mouth suddenly dry. There was something about him that made her feel like she was teetering on the edge of a cliff, unsure whether she wanted to step back or jump. Before she could answer, Alekos leaned in closer, his voice a low murmur that sent a chill through her. "You should be careful who you play with, kori mou. Mykonos isn't as safe as it seems."

Jessica swallowed hard, her bravado faltering for just a moment. She could feel the heat of his body so close to hers, the faint scent of his cologne intoxicating. She knew this was dangerous-that he was dangerous-but a part of her didn't care. A part of her wanted to find out just how dangerous he could be.

"And what if I'm not looking for safe?" she shot back, her voice steadier than she felt.

Alekos' lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. "Then you've come to the right place."

The tension between them crackled, electric and undeniable. Jessica could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her mind racing with possibilities. She was drawn to him, pulled in by the danger, the mystery, the thrill of it all. She knew she should walk away, that this was a game she wasn't prepared to play, but her feet stayed rooted to the spot.

Just as she was about to say something, one of Andrew's friends appeared, pulling her back into the party, breaking the moment. Jessica tore her eyes away from Alekos, but the thrill of their encounter lingered long after she rejoined the crowd.

She had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time she crossed paths with him.