Page 115 of Betraying Family Vows

"We should call Calli," I say abruptly. "Tell her what's happening."

My brothers turn to me.

"Maybe have her come back here, where we can protect her," I continue. "Now that we've taken Athena back, Stavros might accelerate whatever plans he has. Maybe he knows we're onto him."

Ares and Theo look at one another.

"You call her after we're done here," Ares says to me. "You're right. She needs to know and should be back here with us."

I nod, "Okay."

"Look. Brothers. Whatever we do," Theo says and sits back down, rubbing his face, "it's going to take time to do it right. Weeks, maybe months of planning. We can't do that, not with him. And look, this is the most powerful person we've ever gone up against, even if he is number two in territory. There's a higher chance than ever in our fucking lives that one of us may not make it out. Anyone else, I'd lock and load right now and put a bullet in him, but this hit, it's everything on the line. If we're stupid, the Kastaris name is lost forever."

"Goddammit," Ares says and hits his desk. "Always the calm calculated one, Theo."

I nod as Theo looks at me. "You're right."

Ares leans back in his chair. "I'm too upset to think clearly. A good leader leads, and I'm just wanting to bark orders and cause a riot. It's not smart."

"Exactly," Theo says. "I promise both of you. We'll figure this out. Figure out a way to end Stavros and all be alive. It'll be tricky, but we're Kastaris men after all."

I shake my head and stand up. "You always did like to think you were the rational one," I say with a slight smile.

"We'll reconvene tomorrow," Theo continues. "Fresh eyes."

I stand ready to leave, because I want to get back to Athena.

"Before we part ways," Theo says. "Let's have a drink," he continues, already reaching for the decanter.

I nod, watching as amber liquid fills two crystal glasses before Theo refills his own glass.

"Here," he says, handing it to me. "Ares," he says, reaching over the desk to give it to him.

Theo sits and swirls his whiskey, then looks up at me. "Alright, all rage aside, what about her?"

I take a slow sip, feeling the burn slide down my throat. I know this moment was coming. My brothers have watched me move through life taking what I want without attachment. Women, jobs, kills, consequences never mattered.

"You serious about her?" Theo asks. "We all risked our necks back at the quarry, but was it really for her, or the information she helped you find?"

"You mean to say is this another one of his distractions?" Ares interjects.

In the past, I would have brushed off the question. Would have told them to mind their own fucking business or deflected withsome crude joke. But tonight, the answer comes with surprising ease.

"I love her," I say plainly. "As a matter of fact," I say, shaking my head and taking another sip, "I loved her way before today."

Ares makes a skeptical sound, somewhere between a scoff and a grunt.

I look him dead in the eyes. "I'm telling you, brother, it's not about convenience. She risked her life for me. She's…" I search for the right words, feeling almost embarrassed by the emotion behind them. "She's it."

The room falls silent. Theo studies my face.

"You know," Theo says, leaning back in his chair, "our mother wasn't born into our world, either. Dad brought her in. A lot of people thought she wouldn't survive it."

My jaw flexes at the mention of our mother.

"And Dad being the youngest, he was never meant to become don, but when he did," Theo continues, "she not only thrived but made Dad better. I think we can all agree to that."

Ares goes quiet, his shoulders dropping slightly.