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I couldn’t help but chuckle at their eager enthusiasm, the excitement sending a rush of adrenaline through me.
“I can’t wait to tear that prick limb from limb,” Avra said.
“Ladies, I admire your enthusiasm, but I made a promise to Calista that I would deliver something to her, and until that is carried out, I won’t be able to let you near Xenos.”
“What?” Laya said.
“It’s his heart, isn’t it?” Avra crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. “She asked you to cut it out, right? I know she did! She’s been talking about ripping that motherfucker’s beating heart out of his chest for years.”
I raised my hands in mock surrender, unable to deny athing. It was apparent that these three knew each other very well. The mood lightened, and I grabbed Cali’s hand and brought it to my lips, kissing the back of it.
“Shall we get this over with?” I asked.
“Fuck yes, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”
“We’re going too,” Avra insisted.
I wasn’t about to argue with the three of them, so I shrugged and led them out to the barn. We avoided the tunnels, the estate filled with the morning bustle of workers going about their duties, weaving through the grounds. It felt normal to anyone seeing us walk across the property.
Just outside the room where Xenos was confined, Elias and Iason waited. Nikolas had joined them.
“Niko!” Laya gasped in disbelief the moment she spotted him, her voice a mix of surprise and joy. “What are you doing here?”
Avra narrowed her gaze at us, her arms crossing. “So, everyone knew except us?”
“No,” I replied, shaking my head. “Elias got the plan first thing this morning.”
Elias stepped forward, rubbing the back of his neck as if searching for the right words. “I only called Nikolas after that.”
Avra studied us, some hidden truth swirling in her mind. Finally, she relaxed ever so slightly. “I promise,” I offered, giving her a crooked smile to ease the tension.
“So he’s in there?” Cali squared her shoulders, ready to meet him.
“Yes.”
“Okay.” She formed a small huddle with her sisters.
I stepped back to give them space, joining Elias and Nikolas as we waited. I knew they’d be upset that I hadn’t shared my plan earlier, but this risk had to be taken. Capturing Xenos, instead of ending him in his own home, was meant to prove my loyalty.
After a quick, secretive conversation, the sisters returned to us, their resolve evident. I wanted to ask what they had decided but held my tongue.
“We’re all going in together to confront him,” Cali declared, her tone leaving no room for discussion.
I wasn’t surprised by her pronouncement, though I hoped they didn’t assume they were going in without backup.
“Ozias Xenos ruined our lives,” Avra spoke with quiet fury. “We want him to see our faces, united and strong, so he knows the Vitalis sisters finally destroyed him.”
I took a deep breath and looked at Elias and Nikolas. We all recognized the tremendous strength of these women, yet we cherished them. We were determined to shield them at any cost. Although Ozias was physically held on that table, what about their emotional well-being?
Worry gnawed at me, though I knew Avra and Laya were tough, fierce warriors with a strength that could intimidate the strongest opponent. I had witnessed their prowess firsthand.
But Cali? She was different. She had endured so much suffering, and fresh apprehension crept in as I consideredwhat this might do to her. She had come so far in her healing journey. Would facing him set her back? Would it trigger old traumas and pull her back into darkness?
Would facing this asshole do more damage to her than good?
She sensed my hesitation, looking over at me with impatience.
“I’m fine, Leon, I promise,” she said, her words laced with exasperation. “I can handle this. You don’t have to worry about me.”