Page 22 of Deceptive Vows (Bound by Vows #3)

Chapter Nineteen

THEA

“Ms. Kalantzis?” A deep male voice spoke the moment I answered my phone. “This is Detective Ruiz with the Chicago Police Department, Arson Unit. I’m calling about the fire at your property on Granville Avenue. Do you have a minute?”

I waved my aunt and sisters to go ahead of me into the bakery, mouthing that I’d join them in a moment.

“Yes, I have time.”

“We’ve been working with the fire department on the investigation, and I wanted to update you. We’ve confirmed the fire was intentional—arson. Looks like someone used an accelerant, probably gasoline. Do you remember smelling any gasoline?

I paused a moment, trying to recollect what scents might have been present. I did remember, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. “No, I’m sorry. I don’t remember smelling anything.”

“Well, the burn patterns show it started inside the garage and spread to the upper floors and then the attic. Someone wanted it to go up.”

“I don’t understand why my alarm system didn’t go off. It should have.”

“It’s possible they found out the code. We didn’t find anything to suggest they disarmed it by cutting any wires.

There was a partial shoe print in the mud near the alley, too, a size 11 men’s.

We’re running it for matches. I need to ask, do you know anyone who might’ve had a reason to target you?

An ex, a neighbor, someone you’ve had trouble with? ”

I nearly laughed. The entire Moretti clan came to mind. Instead, I replied, “No, my neighbors and I are friendly.”

“Think hard. Any threats lately? Weird run-ins? Even small stuff could help. ”

“I’m sorry, Detective. I don’t know of anyone who would want to burn my house down.”

“All right. Typically, this sort of thing is personal, so if you happen to think of anything that might help, please feel free to call. I’ll text you my number when we finish the call. That way you have it just in case.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you staying somewhere safe right now? Just in case this person might return to finish the job?”

I smiled. “Yes, I’m perfectly safe. I’m staying with a good friend.”

“Good. We’ll keep you posted if we get a hit on the print or the footage. Hang in there, all right?”

“Thank you.”

“Have a good day, Ms. Kalantzis.”

I ended the call, closed my eyes, and took a breath. A second later, my phone buzzed, and a number popped up on the screen with a little tag saying it could be the detective.

After two and a half weeks, I thought I would handle the loss of my home better, but the call only refreshed it.

I counted to ten and plastered a smile on my face. In a few moments, I would drown my feelings in cake. At least I’d have that.

The bell chimed as I entered the shop, and I quickly crossed the room to the table where my aunt and sisters sat with the baker.

“I’m so sorry. I had a call.”

Claire leaned over. “Is everything okay?”

I nodded. “Yes, I’ll tell you after we leave.”

“All right.”

I turned my attention to the baker. “I was wondering if you would be comfortable baking Russian tea cakes. My fiancé is Russian, and I think it would be nice to have fresh ones baked to go along with the wedding cake.”

The woman grinned. “Of course. I’ve actually done those a few times, and I’ve had great reviews. I could?—”

“Your cake is delicious. If they are anywhere near that quality, I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

The doorbell chimed, and two women entered the shop.

“I’m so sorry. Go ahead and begin tasting, and I’ll be right back.”

Aunt Helen held my gaze, her lips set in a thin line.

If we weren’t in public, I’m not sure she wouldn’t have been taking me by the ear.

“You picked black card stock—for a wedding?” She mumbled under her breath before glaring at me and ranting in Greek.

“Thea Kalantzis, your mother…” She stopped short and inhaled, seemingly trying to calm herself.

“What would you have picked had Lisbet been with you?”

The invitations I’d picked out were tasteful and elegant. I didn’t like clutter or anything messy, so I went with silver lettering against black cardstock. They fit my personality while allowing me to poke fun at the idea of actually getting married.

It was hysterical until Claire divulged that detail to my Aunt Helen as she joined us for the cake testing. She’d missed the last two and had threatened me with harm if she missed this one, despite her wishes that I help her with her diet.

“The chocolate cake is delicious, right?” I smiled.

“Thea…”

I reached across the small table near the back of the baker’s shop, covering her hand with mine. “This is an arranged marriage. I’m trying to make the best of a situation that I never thought I’d find myself in. Be honest. It fits my style, no?”

Sadly, I spent the last two weeks and four days without seeing much of Nazar. Between the Gray Wolves attacking Krysha’s infrastructure in New York and Marco’s demand for attention, he’d be gone when I woke up or locked in his room.

I’d found myself feeling lonely in that large penthouse. Of course, I wasn’t upset with him. He had a duty to Pasha and Krysha. Plus, our only chance of finding those women was making Marco think he was playing along and following the plan.

“Yes, it does, but this is a wedding. It’s supposed to be joyful and bright. I know that being forced to marry isn’t ideal, but there is a chance it could turn into something wonderful. Andros’s marriage to your mother was arranged, and look how that worked out for them.”

“I didn’t… I didn’t know that.” And I thought I knew everything about them. “They never told me that.”

“By the time Lucas arrived, they were so in love it didn’t matter anymore.

” She smiled, a soft chuckle escaping. “My sister was beside herself when Papa told her she’d be marrying Andros.

She was headstrong and insistent on making her own choices.

But Papa and Andros’s father threw this extravagant party, and the moment Andros walked in, every woman in the room fell silent.

I rolled my lips in, smiling and holding back tears at the same time. I’d loved–still loved–them so much.

“He was a gorgeous man. Even as a child, I saw how women looked at him, but he never saw them. Ma was the only woman who ever drew his attention.”

Lucas saved me. I loved and respected him… as a brother. But Pa... Andros. He made me believe I was worth saving. I never thought a man could mean as much to me as he did.

I was fourteen, burning with a fever that had refused to break for days. Ma had been with me constantly until Pa returned home and insisted she get some rest.

The bed dipped as Pa sat beside me, his large, calloused hand—cool against my burning skin—gently pushing damp hair from my forehead. “I wish I could take this from you, little one.” His voice was rough with worry.

I could barely keep my eyes open. “It’s okay, Pa.”

He said nothing for a moment, just dragged the fan closer, then dipped a rag into the bowl of iced water. “I just wish I could do something more,” he whispered, carefully laying the cloth across my forehead.

Through the night, I drifted in and out of consciousness. Sometimes, I woke to him reading to me from my favorite book. Sometimes, just sitting next to me, watching me. Other times, I’d fall asleep to him telling me about his day at work.

On the third day, when my fever finally broke, I awoke, hearing him murmuring. When I peeked, I found him slumped in the chair beside my bed, head bowed, whispering thanks to whatever saints had watched over his little girl.

He never knew I was awake to see that moment of vulnerability, that pure love. It was the first time I understood that strength wasn’t about being tough. It was about caring for the people I loved. Sticking by them when it wasn’t easy.

The memory faded as I focused again on the bakery, but the warmth of it lingered like a protective embrace. I cut off a piece of the lemon cake sample and took a bite.

“Oh.” I covered my mouth with my hand. “This is delicious.”

Anna shrugged. “If he looked at her the way Ari looks at me, then that was an electric relationship.” Her gaze caught mine. “I get a glimpse at the man he was every time I’m around Ari. He’s such a good man… and I think he’ll be a great father.”

There was a collective gasp.

She bumped Claire’s shoulder. “I owe you. If it weren’t for you, I’m not sure how things would have worked out.”

Claire’s eyes widened. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Anna’s cheeks flushed pink as she nodded, her hand drifting to her stomach. “I found out last week. I wanted to wait until I was sure before I told anyone.”

Aunt Helen clapped her hands together, tears forming in her eyes. “Oh, my darling! A baby! Lisbet would be over the moon.”

“How did Ari react?” A smile spread across my face despite the weight that had been pressing on my chest all morning.

Anna smiled. “He cried. Actually cried. I’ve never seen him like that.”

“And Andros and Lisbet would have been the most doting grandparents.” Helen dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. “They would have spoiled that child rotten.”

For a moment, we all went quiet, the joy of Anna’s news mingling with the bittersweet absence of those who should have been here to share it. I thought of Ma’s kitchen and how she would have been planning meals and knitting blankets already.

“So,” Claire broke the silence with a gentle smile, “I guess this means you win for most exciting news of the day.”

I laughed. “Without question. Congratulations, Anna. That’s wonderful news.”

Anna squeezed my hand. “Thank you. But this is your day, Thea. And speaking of which...” She gestured to the cake samples. “We should probably focus on finding you the perfect wedding cake—even if it will be served on black plates to match your morbid invitations.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “They’re elegant, not morbid.”

“They’re funeral announcements,” Aunt Helen grumbled, earning a chuckle from Claire.