Page 24 of Beneath Scarred Vows

"He let my wife drive off the property unprotected." My voice is stern, but as Theo shakes his head in disbelief, I can tell he knows the rage simmering beneath.

"I'll get him, sir," Alex nods, already turning to leave.

"Bring him to me in the garage. Two minutes."

"Ah, shit. Really, Ares?" Theo asks.

I just give my brother a look and start walking.

I head downstairs, and by the time I reach the garage, I've had enough time to consider every possible explanation Niko might offer—and to dismiss them all.

The door opens. Two of my men guide Niko inside, their hands firm on his shoulders. He's sweating already, eyes darting around the concrete space.

"Sir, I?—"

I don't let him finish. My hand whips across his face with enough force to snap his head sideways.

"You let my wife leave the property alone." It's not a question. A statement of fact.

He touches his reddening cheek, his fingers trembling. "She said you gave her permission. She was in your car, and?—"

"Did I speak to you directly? Did I call you personally and tell you she could go?" I step closer, forcing him to crane his neck to meet my gaze.

He swallows hard. "No, sir."

"So you took the word of someone you barely know over direct orders from me." Again, not a question.

Sweat beads on his forehead. "She's your wife?—"

"Yes," I cut in, my voice dropping lower. "She's my wife, and she must be protected." I take another step forward, close enough that he flinches. "And you failed in that duty."

I nod to my men. They move smoothly, one sweeping Niko's legs out from under him, the other forcing him down onto his knees. He doesn't resist—he knows better.

"Do you understand the position my family is in right now, Niko?" I ask, circling behind him. "Do you know the threats we face?" I pause beside him, looking down at his bowed head. "Or are you too fucking stupid to grasp basic security protocols?"

"I'm sorry, sir," he whispers hoarsely. "It won't happen again."

"You're right." I reach inside my jacket, drawing my gun. "It won't."

His breathing quickens.

"I need men I can trust. Men who follow orders." I press the barrel against the back of his head. He starts shaking. "Men who protect my family."

"Please, sir," he begs. "I'll make sure to protect your family."

I press the gun harder against his skull. "You just proved you can't be trusted to protect them."

I pull the trigger.

The shot is loud in the enclosed space. Niko's body jerks forward, then slumps to the concrete. Blood pools beneath him, spreading in a dark circle.

I tuck the pistol back into my jacket, smoothing the fabric. "Clean this up," I tell my men.

They nod, already moving forward to wrap the body.

"And Alex, find someone to replace him at the gate," I add, brushing an invisible speck of dust from my sleeve. "Someone who understands what happens when they put my family in jeopardy."

"Yes, sir," Alex says.