Page 92 of Betraying Family Vows

"The gods may be on her side," he says, walking back to where we're standing, "and ours, too."

He unlocks it and taps the screen, opening up a map.

"One of our contacts off route 91 spotted a group of black SUVs moving south toward the old quarry mining headquarters," he says, finger tracing the path on the screen. "Could be her."

"Then that's where we go," I say without looking at the map, already moving toward the nearest vehicle.

"They could be using her as bait, you know," Theo calls after me. "They'll be expecting you."

"I don't give a shit," I say. "Let them expect me."

Ares lets out a sarcastic laugh. "You're going to get us and yourself killed for her."

I look at him over my shoulder. "Then stay here."

"Fuck you, Dimitri."

"No, really. Stay, and when I get her and the laptop back," I say, looking at him, "you'll see what she gave us. We'll find out who killed our father because of her, so don't forget that as you stay behind."

I get into the passenger seat of the SUV Theo brought. My legs feel unsteady, like they're moving out of habit more than intent.

Theo and Ares exchange a few words, and then Ares walks to the SUV behind me and gets in.

Theo walks over to me and slides into the driver seat, slamming the door as a few men get in behind us.

I rest my gun across my lap, my hand draped over the grip. My thumb strokes the safety switch like a prayer.

Theo starts the engine.

Once everyone is ready, Theo turns the SUV around, and we start driving.

I close my eyes for just a moment. My body aches for rest, but my mind won't allow it.

And in the darkness behind my eyelids, I see her.

Athena. My Alepoudítsa.

Not as she was when they took her, but as she was in the ruins, or the way she looked at me when we're pressed up together as one, her hair tangled in my hands.

Her eyes—God, those eyes.

I make her a silent promise.

Hold on.

I'm coming.

And when I find you, I'm never letting you go.

30

DIMITRI

The SUVs eat up the road beneath us, engines growling as we take each curve too fast. My fingers tap against the gun on my thigh, the metal warm now from my constant touch. I'm watching the tablet screen that Theo's set up on the dash, a digital map showing our position closing in on the quarry.

I lean forward as a flash of white catches my eye through the windshield.

"That truck," I say, pointing at the same one that was parked off on the shoulder. The same one that made us slow down before the crash. "She's fucking here."