Page 98 of Beneath Scarred Vows

Ares come in and stops a few feet from me. I don’t turn around.

“I didn’t come here to apologize,” he says. “I came here to move forward.”

"Go away," I say, my voice hoarse from not speaking for so long.

"No."

“Well, you've wasted your time,” I say flatly, not moving from my seat. “Because I’m not ready to pretend none of it happened.”

Ares doesn't speak for a moment. He just stands there, looking at me, thinking. He takes another step forward, and I tense up.

“You don’t have to pretend,” he replies. “Just prove to me you're on my side.” His voice is low, curt. There's no warmth or tenderness that I've grown used to hearing.

It doesn't sound like a peace offering. It sounds like the first move of his strategy.

I turn, slow and deliberate, locking eyes with him. The storm between us is still raging, but now it’s quieter—deadlier.

“How? Act like a good little loyal wife? A pawn? Someone who forgets the bruises as long as her husbands wishes gets granted?”

"If you truly believe George is innocent, then set up a meeting between us."

There it is. The command. The real reason he’s here.

The request hangs in the air between us. I search his face for any hint of what he's really asking, what he's really after, but he's a wall—unreadable, guarded, and all business.

"A meeting," I repeat slowly. "Between you and George."

"Yes."

I rise from the chair and step back, putting distance between us. "So you can kill him? Is that what this is? You want me to lure him somewhere so you can put a bullet in his head?"

Ares doesn't deny it. "I need to look him in the eyes."

"And then what? What happens after you 'look him in the eyes'?" I demand, anger heating my blood. "Do you honestly think I'd set up someone I've known since childhood to be murdered?"

"If you're so certain he's innocent, then what are you afraid of?" Ares challenges. His eyes, usually so warm when they look at me, are cold now. "Let him speak for himself. Let him look me in the face and deny his involvement."

I laugh. "And you'll believe him? Just like that?"

"I'll know if he's lying."

"Will you?"

A muscle ticks in his jaw.

"I mean, you didn't believe me. Even if I set up something, you still won't. This isn't about finding the truth—it's about confirming what you already believe."

"My father is dead, Katerina." His voice drops, dangerous now. "And all signs point to George Zervas."

"All signs?" I ask. "What about the note?"

He takes another step toward me. "Do not tell him or anyone about that note. Do you understand me, Katerina?"

"I'm not going to tell anyone. Even if I end up hating you forever, I wouldn't betray your trust—even if you think that's all I've done."

Ares's eyes narrow at me, and his face suddenly becomes annoying to me.

I turn away from him. "Set up your own damn meeting."