Page 56 of Beneath Scarred Vows

I smile. "I'm not that great, but I'd be happy to show you. And flower arranging is definitely an art form."

"That's what I keep telling them!" She laughs again. "My brothers think anything that doesn't involve guns, business deals, or beating someone up isn't worth doing."

"They seem very… focused," I say diplomatically.

"Focused is one word for it. Obsessed is another." She sighs. "Especially Ares. Ever since our father..." She trails off, a shadow crossing her face. "Well, you know. I've mentioned it before."

I nod, understanding the unspoken grief. "It must be difficult for all of you. Especially since it was sudden."

"It is. But it's different for Ares. He carries it all. The business, the family, the revenge." She looks at me intently. "He's so wrapped up in things. That's why I'm glad he has you now," she says and reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. "He needs someone to talk to that sees him as more than just the Don."

"I'm not sure I'm that person," I admit quietly.

Calli looks at me for a moment and squints her eyes. "I think you might be exactly that person, whether you realize it yet or not."

I take a drink of my water. "Can you tell me something about him?" I ask.

"Umm, let's see. He used to smile more. Play more. I miss that version of my brother sometimes. But," she says and smiles, "I think you'll bring it back."

Our food arrives—colorful salads for both of us.

She picks up her fork and takes a bite. "Oh," she says and chews fast. "He was the worst at board games because he hated losing. He'd flip the entire Monopoly board if Theo was winning." Hereyes soften with the memory. "And he taught me to swim by throwing me into the deep end of the pool. Said it was the fastest way to learn."

I raise my eyebrows. "That sounds traumatic."

"Not with Ares. He jumped in right after me and stayed close until I figured it out. That's how he is—harsh methods, but he never actually lets you drown." She gives me a meaningful look. "Remember that."

I'm about to respond when something catches my eye. Two black cars pull up at the curb, their engines still running. The windows are tinted, making it impossible to see inside, but there's something about it all that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

19

KATERINA

Suddenly, the windows roll down and a gun pops out, and in some terrible ironic destiny, like the name of the restaurant hints, the world erupts around us.

I don't even hear the first shot. I just see glass explode right in front of me, the bullet destroying our cups and plates.

Bang.

Bang.

More gunshots ring out and I don't know how I'm even thinking clearly, but I take one hand and flip the table on its side. I dive for Calli and bring her down, the table shielding us. I won't let anything happen to anyone—not this time—I'll be fast enough, strong enough. I feel a burning sensation on my arm and think I'm having a panic attack or some flashback, but when I look at my arm, I see blood. I'm not shot, but a bullet graze took some skin.

Calli and I hold on to one another and I hear Chris yelling. More shots are fired—it sounds like a hundred people are shooting.

Bang.

Bang.

People scream and run back inside the restaurant. Bits of wood fly off the table, sprinkling Calli and me. Calli's bodyguard gets to us first and as he's about to say something, he lurches forward as if pushed. He falls right in front of us, blood spreading across his back.

He's shot dead.

Calli calls out to him. "Johnny!"

I try to reach for his gun, but it's too far and honestly, I don't even know what I would do if I got to it.

The shooting stops and I hear tires squeal away, and before I know it, Chris is towering over us, breathing heavily.