Present Day: Las Vegas

Chapter 1

Alethea Kafieri was the voice of the abused. She'd watched her Aunt go through it so long that she'd made a promise to herself that she'd help in some way, that she'd make a difference. Her battered woman's shelter helped many women and their children. She was a relentless force and currently, a quite pissed off force. The pompous prick sitting across from her desk was trying to make an offer on her building that was obviously not for sale. But beady little eyes hadn't seemed to notice the lack of a 'For Sale' sign out front. He seemed blinded by his greed. Apparently her building stood in the way of something he had planned. She tried to remain graceful, her Yiayia's words coming back to her. 'A lady must always remain a lady Alethimou, you must always remember this'. She was about to say a silent apology to her dear and departed Yiayia. "For the last time Mr. Oliver, my building is NOT for sale." This time she stressed the word 'not' hoping to emphasize where she stood.

He barely looked at her, pen poised over his check book. "Half a million then?" He said placing pen tip to paper.

That was it! With a silent apology to her Yiayia she cut to the chase. "NO! Not. For. Sale. Must I spell it out for you?" She stood swiftly pointing at the door. "Leave now please, while I still have patience!" Maybe she handled it better than she had thought. No cussing. She'd be eating that thought in a moment.

"I urge you to think hard on this. You don't want to go down this road. You will not win." Oh no he didn't! Another silent apology was sent out. His jowls flapped disgustingly as he'd shaken his head while speaking. "Excuse me? You did not just threaten me." She said moving towards the door and opening it. "You sir are a vlaka! Leave my office and building now! Don't make me call the police." A part of her reveled in the fact that being six feet tall, she got to be the one to glare down at him, while he struggled to glare up. She thanked the gods her Greek heritage blessed her with her six foot frame. She shut the door and leaned against it. Was it childish to have called him a 'big fat jerk' in Greek? Maybe. Did she care? Not enough to regret it. She opened the door and walked over to Grace. "Did they leave?"

Grace nodded. "Yes, they are gone."

Alethea gave a nod. "Good. If you see any of them again, call the police."

Grace nodded. "Is everything okay?

She nodded. "It is now." Giving a smile to Grace she went back to her office to get her things. She was leaving early to spend the evening with her friends. It had been a while since she was able to get together with Diana, Geary, and Sotera. A ladies night was very much in order at the moment.

Thirty minutes later, cocktail in hand she laughed as she finished telling Diana and Megeara what happened earlier. Geary laughed so hard she almost choked on her drink. "You called him a vlaka?" She asked between giggles.

Diana laughed. "I'll bet the dumbfounded look was priceless." She said.

"Oh you should have seen him sputter like he wanted to say something. He probably didn't even know what it meant." She wrinkled her nose. "Actually, I take that back. It was disgusting. His jowls flabbed and….ugh." She said giving a shudder as if she could shake of the image.

"Eww. He does not sound pleasant." Diana said.

"I say we focus on the hunks that have come out in force!" Geary exclaimed in excitement looking around the room, Rumor was one of the best clubs in Las Vegas that catered to Greeks. Friday nights were Greek night when all the Vegas Greeks came out of the wood work. Diana looked around with a grin. "They are looking good tonight!"

Alethea couldn't help but smile. "Oh yeah." She said taking a drink. "Hey have you guys seen Sotera?" Both girls shook their heads. "Huh, she said she'd be here tonight."

Geary laughed. "You know Tory, she probably found a hunk and went home with him."

Diana shook her head. "Nope, she's coming this way."

They waved her over. She had a grin on her face that spelled nothing but trouble as she made her way to their table. As she reached them she told them there was a place they had to see. Rumor was usually where they spent their Friday nights having a good time scoping the single men. But Sotera insisted and the girls followed. Alethea honestly didn't care where they went as long as they had a good time and she was sure the girls felt the same way.