Page 13 of Betraying Family Vows

Suddenly, concrete explodes next to my head and my right ear burns. My grip loosens on Athena and she takes the opportunity to dig her nails into me and run. I lose her, but the sound of a second gunshot forces me to more important issues.

I drop to one knee as a third shot rings in my ears, the whizzing of the bullet sounding above my head. I look and find another man ducking behind a pole.

Motherfucker.

I shoot once, hitting him in the leg. He drops to the ground as I stand. He yells but turns his gun back on me. I fire multiple rounds, emptying my gun into him. His body shakes as each bullet pierces him. Finally, he stops moving, and a pool of blood surrounds him.

I turn to see Athena running. I sprint, and for the first time realize I'm still slightly off balance from the drugs. I run past the first guy I killed and pick up his gun.

I catch up to her as she's passing a car and slam her against it, pinning her with my body.

Her eyes burn. Fear, fury, and something deeper.

"You should've killed me when you had the chance."

I lean in, warm blood trickling down my ear.

Her breath trembles.

I press the gun beneath her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze.

"You wanted a monster."

I lower my voice.

"You fucking found one."

She freezes, chest rising fast, eyes locked on mine.

I tighten my grip.

"Now. You answerto me."

5

ATHENA

My wrists ache where his fingers gripped me. My dress is torn, and my heart is still pounding like it's going to explode out of my chest.

Dimitri Kastaris just murdered five men with a calmness that borders on a psychopath or serial killer. I can't even begin to decide.

Mainly because it's hard to think when a man is pinning you down and pressing a gun under your chin.

"Can you drive any of these?" he says, nodding toward the cars around us, blood dripping from his ear onto my face.

I swallow hard. Not because I don't want to speak to this asshole, but because I can't find my voice.

"I said, can you fucking drive any of these?" he says again, lifting me up slightly and slamming me back into the car hood.

"Yes," I manage just before he's about to do it again. "Yes, I can drive."

"Which one's yours?"

I hesitate, weighing my options. I consider lying, but what's the point?

I swallow hard. "That one." I point at the black Audi.

He drags me by my arm, the barrel of the gun never leaving my skin. My heels skid across the pavement, and my dress tears at the straps.