Page 89 of Beyond Enemy Vows

I wipe my eyes and turn back to see Theo and Dimitri trying to hide the fact that seeing me in Niko's arms is shifting something in them. Their expressions are a mixture of disbelief and something else. Hopefully, it's acceptance.

But not Ares.

Ares looks at me like I've become a stranger.

"Whatever blood debts exist," Niko says, "they're not Calli's, nor the baby's. And I know you don't believe me, but they're not mine either."

Ares scoffs. "Spare me the noble act. You expect us to just forget who you are? What name you carry?"

Niko's jaw clenches. "I'm not my father."

"You carry his fucking blood," Ares spits back. "That's enough."

The words slam into me, breaking something deep inside.

"Then you'll have to shoot through me because I won't let you hurt him," I say, my voice trembling but sure.

Finally, Dimitri snaps. "Ares, put the goddamn gun down!"

"Come on, Ares," Theo says. "It changes everything, and you know it."

Ares explodes. "No. No fucking way. He doesn't get to walk in here and buy himself time with Calli's tears. I want him dead. Now."

Theo shoots him a sharp look. "We're not executing anyone in this house. Not right now anyway. Not until we figure shit out. We at least owe Calli that much."

Ares finally lowers his gun.

He stays still for a moment, looking at me.

Ares storms toward the door, his fury a living thing. "I want him gone from under my roof. Now. And you—" He stops in front of me, his eyes cold as ice. "Don't forget who you are. You'll always be a Kastaris before you're anyone else's."

He walks out, leaving the overwhelming feeling of rage in his wake.

I grip Niko's hand, my heart racing, and pull him toward the door to leave.

Just as we're about to leave, Niko turns to face Theo and Dimitri. "Whatever happens to me, my father won't be an easy target. His guards have guards. He's more than likely been planning all this down to the last detail for years. So if you come for him, know it comes with a huge amount of risk to the lives of all of you."

Theo and Dimitri exchange a look, processing this new information.

I lead Niko out, my entire body trembling. This wasn't a victory. This was a stay of execution.

The fragile truce holding this house together could shatter at any second.

We're on borrowed time, and the true war is only just beginning.

29

CALLI

Ilead Niko out into the hall, my hand locked in his. It's quiet, almost like all that yelling didn't just happen. A staff member passes us and offers a polite smile. They have no idea what just happened in that room. No idea how close we came to bloodshed.

"Don't let go," I say, gripping his hand tighter.

"Never," he says.

We pass through the marble-floored foyer and out into the afternoon Chicago air. I pause at the edge of the front steps, glancing toward my house on the property. A part of me wants to take him there, to pretend none of this ever happened.

But we can't stay here. Not after everything. And the thought of being on Kastaris land, surrounded by my brothers' men, makes my skin crawl. Ares wouldn't hesitate to burst through my door, gun first.