Page 85 of Beyond Enemy Vows

"I need to tell my brothers," I say. "If I don't, they'll kill you."

"And you think telling them will stop that?" His mouth twists bitterly. "A baby doesn't erase blood debts."

"It has to," I insist. "They have to understand. You had nothing to do with this."

"Men in our world don't care about things if there's business to be done."

I pull back, anger flaring. "Why? They're my brothers. They love me. They want me happy."

"They want you safe," he corrects. "Those aren't always the same thing."

"Will you do anything?" I ask suddenly. "Really, anything? For me and the baby?"

He doesn't hesitate. "You already know I will."

I take his hand, twining our fingers together. "Then come with me. Right now. To my brothers. Let's tell them the truth together. You had nothing to do with this, and any more time we waste might make things worse."

Niko's expression darkens. "It won't be that simple."

"It has to be," I insist. "Why do men always say that anyway?" I snap, tears streaking my face. "It doesn't have to be complicated. They can't kill you. You're the father of my child."

He studies me, weighing something in his mind. Then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out my necklace, the one he gave me, the one I left behind in Rome.

"I held onto it," he says. "Even when I was mad, upset. Even when I thought you didn't?—"

"I do," I say, not letting him finish because I know what he's going to say. "I do love you, Niko. I love you with all my heart and soul."

He smiles, unable to speak, and I lean up and kiss him. "I never stopped being yours. So," I say, lifting up my hair, "put it on. I'm yours. You're mine."

His fingers brush my skin as he clasps it around my neck. The cool chain settles against my skin, but it feels like fire. When he bends down and kisses me, it's desperate, hungry, everything we've been holding back since Rome.

When he pulls away, his voice is ragged. "Alright. Take me to your brothers."

"So you'll come with me right now? To them?"

Niko nods. "To hell itself if I have to."

To hell itself,I think. He doesn't even know how close to the truth that is.

28

CALLI

Ipull out my phone and send Katerina a quick text.

Something came up. When you learn why, you'll understand.

My phone buzzes immediately. She's calling. I decline and shove it into my purse.

"You sure about this?" Niko asks, sliding into the passenger seat of his rented black Audi.

"If you're in the driver's seat when you pull up to the gate, they'll shoot you," I warn, pressing the start ignition button with a shaking finger.

He buckles his seatbelt and looks at me. "They might do that anyway."

"Don't say that." The words snap out harsher than I intended.

He doesn't answer, just nods and looks forward.