Page 23 of Beneath Scarred Vows

"Look, my entire family was murdered, Ares. I'm sorry you're experiencing something of what I went through years ago, but it comes with being born into the mafia. At least that's what everyone's always told me."

I realize after the words leave my mouth how insensitive they sound, but I can't take them back now.

"This is why you, more than anyone, should understand the situation and not want to put our lives in jeopardy. I thoughtyou'd understand, but it seems I've been wrong about you since the beginning."

"Maybe you have been," I say.

"Look, from the moment you said 'I do,' you became a Kastaris. My wife. Mine to protect. Mine to keep safe."

"I don't need?—"

"You do," he cuts me off. "You have no idea what's happening right now. The threats against my family. Against me. Against you, by extension."

"So tell me," I challenge.

He studies me for a long moment, then shakes his head. "No."

Instead, he takes my hand—my left hand—staying away from my right side. I notice. He listened.

Before he turns to lead me away, he brushes the dirt off my sleeve where I'd hit the wall.

It's barely a touch. Just enough to make me hyperaware of him.

Just enough to remind me he sees everything.

"We're going home," he says.

As he leads me from the alley, I feel something. The emotion of finally being known.

Because in that alley, pinned between Ares and the wall, I was able to speak more clearly about how I feel than I have in years.

I don't know how I feel about Ares Kastaris in this moment. All I do know is that something about him is bringing out feelings in me that I thought went away years ago.

8

ARES

Iguide Katerina into the car, watching her movements carefully. She doesn't resist, doesn't try to run. She just slides into the passenger seat with that same vacant look she's been wearing since I found her by the water.

But I know something else is going on because when I was watching her gallivant around the city, she had a sparkle in her eye. There's more light in her soul than she wants to show me, and now, I'm determined to find out more.

The drive back is silent. I keep glancing over, expecting her to say something—to argue, to explain herself. But she just stares out the window, watching the city lights blur past.

By the time we pull up to the estate gates, her head is leaning against the window, eyes closed. The security booth light illuminates her face as we pass through, and I catch a glimpse of the guard who let her out—Niko. He straightens when he sees my car. Good. He should be fucking nervous.

"We'll discuss this later," I say as I park the car. Katerina doesn't respond.

I escort her upstairs, one hand on the small of her back. She doesn't lean into me, doesn't pull away either—just lets herself be steered through the house and up the stairs. By the time we reach our bedroom, I can tell she's exhausted.

"Get some rest," I tell her. "I'll be back later." I'm too focused to sleep. I've got to take care of something.

She nods, already moving toward the bed, not bothering to change out of her clothes. I watch her for a moment as she curls onto her side, facing away from me. Then I slip out and shut the door.

My head of security, Alex, and Theo are already waiting in the corridor.

"Bring Niko to me," I say to Alex quietly. "The one at the front gate."

"What did he do?" Theo asks, though he already knows. My brother misses nothing.