Page 105 of Before Broken Vows

"He's three and a half," I continue. "His name is Xander, and he's my son."

Dimitri blinks.

Calli's mouth drops open.

Ares mutters, "Knew it."

Calli finally reacts. "Wait. Hold on. You're a dad?!"

I nod.

"Oh my God, that's so exciting," she practically squeals. "Can we see him? Does he look like you? He better have your eyes."

"Soon," I say.

Ares leans forward. "I knew there was a kid involved in the incident in Italy. Figured it was something like this."

Dimitri lifts a hand. "Yeah, bro, same. I saw him in the kitchen with Stassi when I got here."

"What? Dimitri already saw him?" Calli says. "Come on, at least send me a pic, Theo."

"I mean, it was from a distance. Obviously, it'll mean he likes me the best, but it's not like I met him yet," Dimitri says, teasing Calli.

"Well," I say. "There's more."

I launch into it. All of it.

How Stassi left because our father threatened her. How Stassi got pregnant and went to a doctor. How that doctor was likely on our father's payroll and reported it.

How our father called her. Told her she had to get rid of the baby. That I was promised to Sean Killaney's daughter.

"He told her that me being with her would ruin my role in the family. That she'd be the reason I lost everything, so she had to go. Gave her money and everything."

They look at me, stunned. Complete silence as they process the bomb I just dropped on them.

Calli's eyes narrow, and she's the first one to speak. "He told her to terminate?"

"She didn't, obviously," I say. "But she faked it. Used some of the money Dad gave her and paid off a doctor. Got a certificate. Gave it to Dad. Then disappeared."

I can tell Calli is upset. She wants to say more but holds back and just says, "Well, that's pretty brave and awesome of her. I do have to admit I wasn't only mad at her for leaving you, but she ghosted me, too. I missed my sassy Stassi!”

Dimitri clears his throat. "I don't mean to be disrespectful here, Theo, but are we sure she's telling the truth?"

I look him in the eye. "Yeah. I believe her."

Ares sighs. "She is."

"You're sure?" Dimitri asks.

"Yeah," Ares says. "Dad discussed it with me once. Said aligning with the Killaneys was the only way to keep the Irish close. Saidpairing you with their daughter was the deal he was going to make happen."

I exhale sharply. "Are you fucking serious?"

He nods. "Yes. But the way you were with Stassi—I mean, we all saw it. I told Dad he couldn't do that to you. When Stassi left, he brought it up again, but it turned out he was able to broker the shipping deal with the Killaneys, and he felt that secured the deal and wanted to keep you marrying the daughter in his back pocket."

"Son of a bitch," I say, rubbing my forehead. "I... I'd do anything for this family, but..."

"Theo. You don't need to sell us on your loyalty. It wasn't the right call Dad wanted to make. He wasn't perfect," Ares says, interrupting me.