Page 37 of Betraying Family Vows

Sharp. No fear. Just one thought: Get to Athena. Now.

I shift forward pulling my gun out

That's when one of them calls:

"Hey, Kastaris."

Before I can pivot fully?—

The First shot fires.

13

ATHENA

Isit in the passenger seat, arms crossed, staring at the gas station's flickering sign, trying to convince myself I'm not completely screwed. The silence in the car matches the emptiness of the night.

Dimitri's absence feels like both relief and some apprehension. With him gone, I can breathe, but I'm also vulnerable.

The gas station is deserted. It's way too late for anyone normal to be out here. Just us. There are two trucks parked off to the side, but they're dark and I assume the people driving them are sleeping.

I glance at the convenience store. Dimitri's inside, moving around like he owns the place, like no one could touch him. I hate him for it.

I wipe at my feet again with the crumpled tissues he gave me. The bleeding's stopped. It's just a nervous habit now. My body aches. I'm so fucking tired. I want to sleep so badly. I don't know how much longer I can stay awake. The sun will be coming up soon.

I glance around.

No one is coming to save me.

Not this time.

Then headlights sweep across the lot.

I sit up.

A dark SUV pulls in slowly and stops directly in front of our car. I look behind me and another one pulls up.

My chest tightens.

Men get out. Five, no, six of them. And then I see someone I know.

John G.

Thank God. My shoulders drop in relief and I nearly sob.

He's here. He's actually here.

Finally, after everything, they found me and have come to my rescue.

I press my palms against the window, my eyes wide. He'll get me out of this nightmare. Away from Dimitri. Away from all of this.

I look at the convenience store just as Dimitri steps out, his posture immediately stiffening.

I look back as John says something to the men beside him, pointing toward the car.

Toward me.

I raise my hand. "John!" I call out, my voice muffled by the glass. "I'm in here!"