Page 4 of Deceptive Vows (Bound by Vows #3)

Chapter Three

NAZAR

The interior of Lykos spoke of wealth without shouting it. Dark wood paneling, intricate carvings, tastefully placed decorations. Two grand chandeliers hung from the ceiling and cast a golden glow, while soft clinking of glassware and muted conversation provided an intimate backdrop.

The air carried faint scents of polished wood and something spiced—cinnamon or clove.

Booths with high backs lined one wall, offering privacy, while small, square tables filled the open space.

Each table seemed strategically placed, adaptable for larger gatherings.

Not difficult to imagine power plays happening here—deals made, alliances formed, rivals outmaneuvered.

I noted the absence of security cameras in the main space. Deliberate.

I should have been focused on Marco Moretti, on the Gray Wolves, on keeping our territory secure. Instead, I kept thinking about that woman from the bar, the precision of her throw, the way she'd known I was watching, the shadows playing across her face as she disappeared into the night.

And yet, I couldn't stop myself from wondering…almost hoping that there was a chance she’d be here. I told myself it didn’t matter. It was just another meeting. Just another job. My pulse told a different story.

But business came first, and this meeting was too important for distractions.

The meeting with the Kalantzis family came with complications.

I'd researched them thoroughly beforehand, as much as time had allowed, learning that Lucas Kalantzis, the eldest, and his siblings—Dimitris, Ari, Thea, and Alexander operated as a unit. Together, they ran Lykos and the family’s broader enterprises while the extended family stayed at arm’s length, enjoying the spoils without the dirty work.

Pasha had contacted Lucas late the night before, and he’d returned the call just before dawn.

We didn’t expect a face-to-face—only a chance to prove we weren’t another threat.

Offering to scrub Lucas’s internet presence was the first show of good faith.

But it was the intel—detailed and recent—that Marco had put out a kill order, complete with a wedding proposal, that earned us a seat at the table.

Lucas already knew Marco wanted him dead.

Now he had a chance to look inside the playbook.

The staff moved with quiet efficiency, black uniforms blending with the decor. Sharp eyes assessed us briefly before returning to their duties. Professionals, not just servers.

A tall man in a tailored suit approached. “Gentlemen, I’m Ari Kalantzis,” he said, voice smooth and measured.

I noted the slight thickening at his left ankle—concealed weapon—and the deliberate distance he maintained.

Power radiated from him, his frame built from discipline rather than vanity.

I suspected the prolonged stay in Brazil as a younger man and extensive Brazilian Jiujitsu training had something to do with that.

He wasn't someone to underestimate in close quarters.

“My brother is expecting you. If you’ll follow me.”

Ari led us to a private room at the far end of the restaurant.

A carved wooden door opened into an intimate and imposing space.

A desk occupied the center with three high-backed chairs upholstered in rich leather, one behind and two facing it.

A dark leather couch stood to the right, and floor-to-ceiling, book-lined shelves.

No visible cameras. One door, presumably leading to a private exit.

To the left of the desk stood a man with dark hair and a commanding presence. The eldest Kalantzis.

“Welcome to Lykos.” His sharp gaze flicked between us, assessing with the thoroughness of someone accustomed to spotting threats.

The disappointment that she was absent sank into my bones. It should have set off alarm bells, but none did.

Pasha shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Kalantzis.”

“Lucas, please.” He nodded to the man standing slightly behind and to the left of him. “This is my brother Dimitris.”

Dimitris inclined his head, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp, as though he missed nothing.

Lucas waved to the chairs across from him. “Could I get you something to drink? We stock a few worthy vodkas.”

Pasha nodded as we took our seats. “That would be most gracious.”

Ari stepped out of the room and returned with a bottle of Russian Standard. Not top shelf, but traditional. My personal favorite.

“Not the most expensive, but I’ve found it to be the best tasting,” Lucas said as Ari set glasses in front of us and poured.

“ Da .” Pasha smiled. “My father’s favorite.” He looked at me. “His father’s as well. Thank you.” He took a generous sip.

I lifted mine in a toast. “Za zdoróvie! To health!”

“To health.” Lucas drained his glass, then set it down. His expression shifted, business replacing courtesy. “Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, tell me about the plans Marco has for my family.”

The brothers exchanged a brief glance. Pasha would need to deliver this delicately. We didn’t know each other. Knowing the bad blood between Marco and Lucas, this meeting had the potential to go sideways quickly.

Pasha’s voice remained calm and measured. “We met with him earlier today.”

Lucas’s lips twitched, his gaze sharpening. His hand tightened almost imperceptibly on the edge of the desk. “Did you now?”

“ Da . At a rundown bar in a small town two hours west of Chicago.”

A flicker of something dark passed through Lucas’s expression before it smoothed. Dimitris shifted his weight slightly, tension entering his frame. The temperature in the room seemed to drop by several degrees.

“Interesting." Lucas kept his voice carefully controlled.

"He asked for my help with security—for a live auction. Women and girls, to be exact.”

“That tracks with our intelligence,” Lucas murmured. He exchanged a glance with Dimitris, who gave a subtle nod. “But he’s careful these days.”

Pasha met Lucas’s gaze. “My organization has no involvement in that line of work; however, that wasn't the sole purpose of the meeting.”

Technically true. Pasha had burned the last group we found doing it. But it wasn’t just business—it was personal. That kind of rot didn’t belong under our roof.

Lucas tilted his head. "Continue."

“He wanted us to approach you, feign a desire for an alliance, and offer a marriage to your sister to seal it. He then wanted us to take out your entire family.”

Lucas’s smile fell away. The edge of his jaw tightened. “I see, and in return for murdering my family, you were offered?” His voice carried a razor-sharp undertone.

“Part of your territory.”

A brief silence. Lucas leaned back, slow and measured.

“Wow. That’s quite the offer.” He chewed his lip, eyes never leaving Pasha’s face. “You understand, if you’re lying to me, I won’t wait for confirmation. I’ll kill you both.” Then the smile. Not warm but knowing. “And my sister? It’d be easier to baptize a cat?—”

The door to his office opened.

“Oh, you have company. ”

My breath caught. I knew that voice immediately—soft, melodic, with a hint of honey.

Thea Kalantzis.

I turned my head slowly. There was no mistaking her now. The shadows were gone. The knife wasn’t in her hand, but her edge hadn’t dulled. She moved like someone who knew exactly how to kill and when to wait.

My pulse jumped, heat unfurling in my chest like a brand. I kept my expression neutral, even as the realization slammed through me.

I was sitting in a room with the men Marco wanted me to kill.

And the woman I couldn’t stop thinking about was one of them.