Page 107 of Before Broken Vows

"I told him I don't care. We'll take whatever heat comes. If he's connected to our father's death, and now to Xander's kidnapping, he dies."

Dimitri looks at me, then back at Ares.

Ares leans into the camera. "Agreed. Subtlety's over. I'll call Zervas. Stavros too," he adds. "Get them looped in. If they won'thelp, they can get the fuck out of our way and rot in the shadows. Let the cowards watch while we clean house."

"Let's just be prepared to move forward without them," I say.

"On that note," Ares says, "I'm coming to Greece."

"No," I say instantly. "You need to stay there in Chicago. With Katerina. With the baby. You can't leave her now."

He opens his mouth to argue, but Calli beats him to it. "If you go, I'll step in to help Katerina. But honestly, Ares? Theo's right. She needs you here."

Dimitri steps forward. "We've got it here," he says and turns to me. "You and me, brother. We'll take care of this."

I shake my head.

Ares's jaw is tight. "Fine. But you call me the second you move on him. And if anything—and I mean anything—gets out of hand, call me and I'm there."

"Of course," I say.

"Find Cosmo Kouris. If he's behind this, kill him. Burn the fucking government down if they had a hand in what happened to our father. Just tell me what you need, and I'll pull every damn resource and call in every favor we have."

Dimitri steps beside me and claps a hand on my shoulder.

"Suit up, brother. Time for war."

I nod. "Let's have our vengeance. For our father. For our family. And for my son."

But first, there's something I have to do.

30

STASSI

Being back here has actually felt pretty good, especially now that Xander is here. Elena has been wonderful with him while Theo's been with Dimitri doing whatever the two of them are up to.

Theo did come to check on us during dinner and introduce Dimitri to Xander, who thought his tattoos were very cool and then asked me if he could get one too—a T-Rex on his neck, just like where Uncle Dimitri has some.

Of course, Dimitri encouraged him, jokingly, but Theo didn't laugh.

Now, it's late and Xander sleeps next to me in the guest room. One arm is wrapped around a new stuffed dinosaur Theo picked up at the airport gift shop. It's small and plush, but already loved.

The TV casts a glow as cartoons play on mute. He wanted a nightlight, and it was the only thing I could think of.

I should probably try and sleep too, but I can't seem to settle. I always feel every bit of the history between Theo and me whenI'm here. It's on my mind, either consciously or subconsciously. It hangs like a cloud—a welcomed cloud, but still there nonetheless.

I rub my face, trying to relieve some of the tension, when a soft knock at the door catches me off guard.

Theo pushes the door open gently, his voice low. "Hey."

"Hey."

He steps inside, closing it behind him, but doesn't walk to me right away. His eyes go to Xander first.

"He's out?" he asks, nodding toward his son.

I nod. "Out cold."