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“That does sound scary,” I replied.
“You haven’t even seen them join forces yet,” Elias said. “The three of them together are a dangerous storm that no man should face alone.”
“Great,” I said, my voice laced with sarcasm. “I can’t wait. As if Cali obliterating Lucianos and his men right before my very eyes wasn’t enough.”
“Cali is a badass,” Niko said. “That show of force in front of all the families? In that one act alone, she solidified the strength of the Vitalis family. She was fearless andswift. Everyone will think twice now before planning some shit against our family.”
“She’s amazing,” I agreed, lifting my chin with pride. My beautiful bride had saved my life in more ways than one. Sure, she’d killed Dominic, but it was my heart she’d saved along the way. I shuddered to think of how empty my life had been before Cali entered it. I’d been lonely as hell, although I never would have admitted it. I missed my family, and I’d shut everyone else out, convinced I was saving myself somehow.
Instead, I’d resigned myself to a very slow death.
Cali had breathed life back into me. She’d shown me that loving someone didn’t have to hurt. That I didn’t have to live in the constant fear of losing her, that I could live and love and thrive.
Yes, Cali had saved my life.
And I planned to spend every moment of my life keeping her safe, just as she would for me. I looked forward to long, luxurious nights in her arms.
“Eli, how do you feel now? You changed your name to Vitalis. Your father is dead and buried. The Xenos legacy no longer exists. You’ve even given Juno the Vitalis name. Do you have any regrets about that?”
Niko’s question lingered in the air. I had been wondering the same things, but I was hesitant to ask such a personal, probing question. After all, I hadn’t been part of this family for very long. I was still searching for my place within it.
Eli shook his head.
“I have no regrets, brother. My children will continue theVitalis name, of which I am proud. The Vitalis legacy embodies valor and strength. In contrast, the Xenos name is stained by evil, greed, and violence. I have never regretted rejecting it, and I doubt I ever will.”
“That’s awesome, Eli,” I said, looking over at him.
“You know, I never imagined things would end up this way. When I received the initial marriage proposal from Avra and Vik, I thought it would just be a business arrangement, that it would strengthen the Xenos territories. I never thought I’d fall in love with her. I never expected that I would renounce my family name and take on the Vitalis name. But fuck, I am so happy that it all happened. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”
“I feel you, brother. To the Vitalis women.” Niko raised his whiskey glass. “Life will never be simple. But life will always be good.”
I smiled, Cali’s beautiful face of sunshine flashing in my head.
My heart ached at her beauty, inside and out. Soon, we’d have our own little babies to adore, and I had no doubt she would be an amazing mother, because she was an amazing human.
My wife was endlessly courageous. She’d faced her demons head-on and emerged stronger and smarter. She’d pass that courage on to our children, and I would be the lucky bastard who got to stand by her side, through thick and thin and good and bad.
She was my equal.
My partner.
My best friend.
I would protect her with my very soul.
“Fuck simple,” I replied to Niko, clinking my glass against his. “Simple isn’t for our family. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Hear, hear, brother!”
Epilogue
CALISTA
SIX MONTHS LATER
My sisters and I sat soaking in the warm rays of sunshine out on Laya and Niko’s terrace after a long day of training in our personal gym.
Dryad, the oak tree that Niko’s parents had planted, was putting on quite a show as it danced in the gentle breeze that rippled through the air, its branches lifting and falling gracefully. The leaves threw shadows on the roses below, the light flirting with the beautiful, fragrant blossoms.