Page 127 of Beneath Scarred Vows

9 Months Later

Iadjust my watch, staring at the scene before me as if it's a dream I've somehow stumbled into. The Kastaris estate garden is transformed. Tables draped in white linen, pastel flower arrangements, and pink and gold decorations are everywhere.

It's a fucking baby shower. In my house.

If you'd told me before meeting Katerina that I'd be hosting one of these, I would have laughed. And if you would have also added in the fact that George Zervas and Stavros Petrou would have sent some of the most expensive presents on the gift table, I may have thought you were crazy and needed help.

Yet here I stand, glass of whiskey in hand, watching my wife glow from the child she's growing inside her. Katerina sits in a tufted armchair we brought from the library—her throne for theday. The soft breeze plays with loose strands of her hair, the golden-hour light magnifying her beauty.

As a matter of fact, she's never been more beautiful than she is now, at eight months pregnant with my child.

My eyes track the movement of her hand as it absently strokes over the swell of her belly, protective, possessive. I know that feeling. I've spent every night for months with my palm spread across that same spot, feeling our child kick and roll beneath my touch.

She hasn't noticed me watching her yet. She's laughing at something Calli said, her head thrown back, exposing the elegant line of her neck. My sister sits at Katerina's right, animated and electric as always, champagne glass waving dangerously as she finishes whatever story has them all in stitches.

Gio Bonventi's wife, Raven, leans forward to top off Katerina's glass with sparkling water, while Livia and Alina, Enzo and Marco Bonventi's wives, adjust the cushion behind Katerina's back. With all of them being mothers, they've become Katerina's guides through this new territory.

"Admiring your handiwork?" Theo appears at my shoulder, nodding toward Katerina.

"Careful," I warn, though there's no heat behind it.

He laughs, clinking his glass against mine. "Never seen you like this, brother. Domesticated."

"I'd still slit someone's throat in their sleep if necessary," I remind him, eyes never leaving Katerina.

"I believe you." Theo takes a long drink. "Ares can never lose his edge. On a brighter note, you know Dimitri, Calli, and I are going to be spoiling our niece."

"Not too much," I say automatically.

"You keep saying that. Katerina says otherwise."

I laugh. "We'll see."

My attention shifts as I spot three familiar figures approaching from the side of the garden. The Bonventi brothers – Gio, Marco, and Enzo – our most trusted allies from the Italian side of our business.

Gio reaches me first, slapping a hand on my shoulder. "The mighty Ares Kastaris, brought to his knees by a tiny female who isn't even born yet." His grin is wide, teasing.

I narrow my eyes. "Let's not forget who almost fainted when Raven told you she was pregnant."

Marco, our favorite politician, laughs. "He's got you there, brother. Though I distinctly remember hearing that you threatened to murder the doctor when Katerina had morning sickness," Marco says with a smile.

"I never threatened him," I correct, taking a sip of whiskey. "I simply explained the consequences if he couldn't help her."

I flash back to the first few months of Katerina's pregnancy. It had been hell—watching her suffer and being unable to fix it. I'd have paid any price, threatened anyone, to ease her discomfort.

Enzo leans in, "Trust me, Ares, what you're dealing with now? It's nothing. Wait until the little one is born. You think running our families is hard?" He laughs, shaking his head. "Try gettinga colicky baby to sleep. Try negotiating with a toddler who's decided pants are optional."

Gio nods solemnly. "The most dangerous men in Chicago, reduced to checking under beds for monsters and arguing about bedtimes."

"At least in our business, when someone's being difficult, you can reason with them," Enzo adds with a smirk. "Can't seem to do that with a kid."

I consider this. "Jesus. What the hell do you do then?"

Gio nods over to Raven, "Have more apparently."

"Really?"

"Yeah. She didn't want to say anything on Katerina's day. She's going to tell her next week."