Page 106 of Beneath Scarred Vows

"When I discovered Dad, there was a note folded over his body. Obviously someone wanted me to see it."

"Are you kidding me? And you didn't think that was information worth sharing?"

"Well, fuck, Theo. It was a lot to process. Dad's killed, I'm running the family, and Zervas is taking our port all in a matter of days."

Now I'm having a hard time keeping my anger down.

We stare at each other, both upset, both looking for the right words to say next.

"What did it say?" Theo finally asks.

"You're not to repeat this. Say or tell anyone. Got it?"

He agrees.

"'The sons will follow their father,'" I say, looking at him.

He takes a moment to process it.

"Wait. That note's to us. Someone's put a hit out on you, me, and Dimitri?"

I nod slowly.

"Jesus Christ, Ares. Fuck—you should have told me. You should have told all of us."

"You know now. Does that change anything?"

"I mean, it could. We could have found out if anyone knew what the note said."

"Exactly. There's only one person I want to ask. One person I want to hear it from. Zervas. If we went around asking, then everyone in town would know about the note. It would become worthless."

Theo takes a moment to mull over what I've said.

"So you're just going to ask George about it?"

I lean back and take a deep breath. "No. I don't know. I need to figure out how to bring it up without bringing it up, you know? If I ask him and he denies it, then it's dead in the water, and there's nothing I can do. So, I'm not sure how, but I need him to say it," I sigh and look at my watch, "and I need to figure something out fast since we're meeting with him in an hour."

37

KATERINA

We turn off the main street and make our way up the winding road to the tasting room. I've spent a lot of time here growing up. It was here I drew the most during the summers. My uncle always entertained guests here, so it was a lively place.

Now it's dark, cold, and quiet.

Ares and I haven't spoken since leaving the house. To be fair, Theo and he haven't spoken either. It's just the three of us riding in silence. Dimitri and a car of men are following us.

Our driver pulls up into the clubhouse and we get out. Ares and Theo look around, and I go to walk inside.

"Where are you going?" Ares asks.

I point to the doors. "Inside. It's cold out here."

I don't wait for a response and head inside. I take a seat on one of the large couches and see a ghostly image of myself just last summer, drawing the sunset, looking out the large bay windows.

A few moments later, Theo walks in, followed by Ares and Dimitri. Behind them, six men follow closely.

"This is a nice place," Dimitri says. "I think I've had this stuff."