Page 20

“Let’s get some air,” he said, voice even. “I’ll bring our crew in to clean this mess.”
I crouched beside Polus and nudged him with my shoe. His chest rose in a ragged breath.
Good.
He’d live to carry every broken promise back to the world that dared insult Calista. I stood, spine coiling with cold satisfaction, and turned to my staff.
“Alex, send everyone home. The restaurant is closed until further notice. All the staff will receive full pay, so tell them not to worry. I apologize that they had to witness this.”
“Thank you, Mr. Boscos,” Alex said.
He slipped out a side door with the others, footsteps echoing down the alley.
Iason and I walked outside, stepping over bodies strewn like discarded dolls. A small crowd had gathered under the flickering neon sign, but people scattered into the night at our approach.
“I’ll wait here until our guys arrive.” Iason took in my appearance, without doubt noting my soaked shirt and bruised knuckles. “Are you okay? You’re covered in blood.”
“None of this blood belongs to me,” I replied, chest heaving. “He didn’t land a single punch.”
“I’m not surprised.” He laughed.
“What about you?” I asked, pointing to his split lip.
“I’ll manage. Are you okay to drive yourself home?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Thanks.”
A few seconds later, I climbed behind the wheel of my car. My knuckles throbbed with life. I turned the key, and the engine rumbled awake.
As I pulled onto the street, fury still hissed through my veins. Polus’s insults had lit a fire I didn’t even know I carried, and every mile fading behind me only fanned the flames.
A smile tugged at my lips as I thought of Calista.
How she was so important to me, someone not even my wife yet, and already worth any fight I had in me.
She still hadn’t chosen, and I was already willing to protect her and defend her name.
I pressed my palm to the steering wheel, knuckles stiff, heart still thrumming with the taste of battle.
What would I do once we were married?
To what lengths would I go to keep her safe?
The answer settled behind my ribs like a promise: no boundary, no limit.
A weak man backed down.
My hands tightened on the wheel. I was far from weak.
Five
CALISTA
My heels clicked against the gleaming white marble as I wound through Laya and Niko’s foyer.
Avra’s baby nursery was coming together beautifully. I’d spent the morning browsing my phone for the perfect rug that would complement Avra’s soothing colors and whimsical patterns. Each scroll revealed new options, and I envisioned how those textures and hues would enhance the cozy atmosphere we imagined for the little one’s arrival.
My nose was still in my phone as I descended the stairs searching for Laya. We’d planned to go on another shopping expedition in the city, and it was time to leave.