Page 86 of Beyond Enemy Vows

As I start driving, neither of us speaks. I'm taking every turn slowly, like there's a bomb in the car that will detonate with any sudden movement.

I swallow hard, staring at the road ahead. My stomach churns, and I can't tell if it's the baby or pure terror I'm trying not to let get the best of me.

I can't help but think about what Niko said. It's true. I think this could save us, but it's also true this could get him killed in front of me.

The thought sends ice through my veins, but what choice do I have? If my brothers are planning Niko's murder, they might as well know everything.

If this is the right thing to do, then why does part of me feel I'm bringing the enemy to our door? I'm asking my brothers to spare the son of our father's killer because I love him. Because I'm carrying his child.

My fear, mixed with the silence, peaks when we turn onto the private road leading to the estate and I see Niko's entire body tense. His jaw sets like he's preparing for war.

"God, what if they don't listen?" I ask before I can even think and pull over. Fear is winning right now.

Niko reaches over, taking one of my hands from the wheel. "Then I'll handle it."

"How? By getting yourself killed?"

"By doing whatever it takes to protect you and our child." His voice is steel.

I smile. "No, no, this has to work," I say out loud, trying to convince myself. "Nothing will happen to you. Not when I just found you."

Niko gives me a forced smile, knowing maybe better than I do how our world works.

"Let's go," he says. "The longer we sit here, the worse it gets for us."

I pull back onto the road, the car moving too fast toward the Kastaris estate. When we approach, two guards step forward, hands already on their weapons, bodies shifting into defensive positions.

When I roll down the window, their faces shift slightly to a more neutral state.

"Miss Kastaris."

"He's with me," I say. My voice sounds stronger than I feel. "Open the gate, please. We're here to see Ares."

The guard hesitates. "Ma'am, just need to call?—"

"That won't be necessary. He knows we're coming," I lie. "Open the gate," I continue, adding just a bit more authority.

The guard nods reluctantly to a man inside the booth and the gates open.

"Well," Niko says, leaning back in his seat as I drive forward, "that went better than expected. You think they'll alert him?"

"No. If I wasn't going directly to the main house and veering off to mine, then yes."

Niko turns to look down the path that leads to my place. "How I wish that's what we were doing."

"Me too," I sigh and pull up to the main house. "Me too."

Inside, the staff greets us like any normal day. A housekeeper smiles at me, then gives Niko a curious look. One of the security guards nods respectfully. Of course, they don't know who Niko is or why bringing him here could be the stupidest thing I've ever done. They wouldn't know about the blood feud, the vengeance brewing, or the secrets we're keeping.

I lead him through the familiar hallways, past family photos and expensive art, toward Ares's office. My stomach knots tighter with every step.

When we reach the heavy oak door, it's ajar and I hear voices inside. Not just Ares, but Theo and Dimitri too.

I freeze. My heart hammers in my chest.

Maybe this was a mistake.

Maybe I should wait. Maybe I'm walking him straight into his death.