Page 30

After an hour of meticulous preparation—scrubbing every surface and lining up the implements in neat rows—I watched Iason as he methodically injected another sedative into Ozias’s IV.

The moment the fluid coursed through the line, Ozias’s eyelids fluttered shut, and drool seeped from the corner of his mouth, a stark reminder of his helplessness.

We cleaned the sweat and dirt from our hands, shoulders, and faces before following Elias’s path back through the stalls and up the twisting stairs to his home. At the top, a warm, buttery scent drifted down the hallway.

I pushed open the kitchen door and found Cali in front of the marble island, her flour-dusted hair cascading in soft waves.

Her sisters moved around her, rolling dough and stamping out shapes, the clatter of baking sheets filling the air.

Golden croissants, sugar-dusted Danishes, and plump blueberry muffins were arranged in neat rows, creating a feast for the eyes.

“Leon!” Cali dropped her wooden rolling pin, a flurry of flour rising around her.

She raced to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. The second she pressed against me, the warmth of her body seeped into me, easing the tension of the night.

Her lips brushed against mine, sweet and tender, and I felt a rush as I settled my hands on her hips.

A lightness blossomed in my chest, banishing the lingering shadows of the afternoon.

“Good morning, darling.” I pulled back to survey the countertop: rolling pins dusted with white, a spilled bag of sugar, a mound of dough patiently awaiting its turn.

“What’s all this?”

“Just some kitchen adventures,” she said, her beaming smile illuminating the room. I chuckled, noticing the smudge of flour on her nose, and I reached up to wipe it away.

“You look like you’re having fun,” I remarked, my smile mirroring hers.

“Has Calista not told you about her baking obsession?” Avra interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

“Not yet,” I replied, my anticipation growing. “But I can’t wait to sample your creations. I’m famished.”

“Here, try this.” Before I could shift my weight, Calista had whisked a chocolate-streaked croissant from the tray and pressed it into my hand.

Warmth radiated from it, melting fudge oozing through the flaky layers. I lifted it to my lips, biting in, a burst of rich, buttery sweetness dancing across my tongue .

“You made this?” I gasped between bites. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

“It’s my special fudge croissant,” she replied, pleased at my reaction. “I’m so glad you like it.”

“I’m a lucky man.”

In that moment, she looked like an angel, her joyful smile outshining the morning sun. My heart swelled with pleasure at the sight of her beauty, and an overwhelming urge to steal her away to a place just for us washed over me.

But this wasn’t the time for that.

I hesitated before delivering my news. All I wanted was to give my bride a life full of joy and happiness.

She was clearly having a wonderful morning. I felt a knot in my stomach as I contemplated how my news would affect her. I longed to bring her closure, a way to shut that dark chapter of her life and strip it of its power over her.

Would the gift I carried only open those old wounds?

The thought of bringing pain into her heart twisted my insides. It was the last thing I wanted to do.

Yet, I reminded myself of the promise I’d made her…

“Are you okay?” She squinted up at me, her brow furrowed. “You look so serious.”

“He’s probably contemplating how to make money off your precious croissants,” Laya mused, her voice teasing.

I smirked. “Not a bad idea, actually.”

“Stop!” She chuckled, shaking her head. “Those are just for fun. I don’t want to be stuck in a kitchen every day for the rest of my life, no matter how much I love to bake occasionally. ”

“You can do whatever you wish, my darling,” I murmured, pulling her close and hugging her tight. She felt solid against me, strong, and having her near was so grounding that I didn’t want to let her go.

“Okay, so why are you here?” She pulled away after a few seconds, her gaze suddenly serious, and I knew I couldn’t delay any longer.

“I brought you a wedding present.”

Her face brightened with pure joy, and her delight surprised me.

“You did?” she asked, astonishment evident in her voice.

My heart raced as I brought my hand to her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin.

“I made you a promise, didn’t I?”

The smile that blossomed on her face filled me with hope.

Maybe she would handle this better than I’d anticipated.

I should have known better than to doubt her strength.

She wouldn’t have asked for this favor if she wasn’t ready for it.

I made a mental note to trust her more. She knew herself better than anyone else.

“You’re the best, Leon!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me in a tight embrace. I could feel the sisters’ curious stares boring into us.

Cali’s hands came free, and her palms rubbed together, her eyes gleaming like a hawk on the hunt. Her gaze flicked to the chef’s knife resting on the marble kitchen island, and for a moment, I feared what might cross her mind.

“No,” I murmured, slipping in front of her and covering her hand with my own. My thumb stroked her knuckles, trying to ground her. “We have much better tools for the job already waiting for you.”

“What job?” Avra demanded, stepping closer. She and Laya exchanged glances laden with tension. Their expectant stares were almost palpable. Cali hesitated, her chest rising with anticipation before she lifted her chin in proud defiance.

“The job of destroying Ozias Xenos, once and for all.”

Avra’s mouth fell open, shock written all over her face. “What?” Laya echoed, her voice a mixture of disbelief and excitement.

“Where?”

“Now?!” Their questions exploded from them in rapid succession, eyes darting between Cali and me.

“That fucker,” Cali growled, a wicked grin breaking across her face. “I can’t wait to see him fall.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at their eager enthusiasm, the excitement sending a rush of adrenaline through me.

“I can’t wait to tear that prick limb from limb,” Avra said.

“Ladies, I admire your enthusiasm, but I made a promise to Calista that I would deliver something to her, and until that is carried out, I won’t be able to let you near Xenos.”

“What?” Laya said.

“It’s his heart, isn’t it?” Avra crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. “She asked you to cut it out, right? I know she did! She’s been talking about ripping that motherfucker’s beating heart out of his chest for years.”

I raised my hands in mock surrender, unable to deny a thing. It was apparent that these three knew each other very well. The mood lightened, and I grabbed Cali’s hand and brought it to my lips, kissing the back of it.

“Shall we get this over with?” I asked.

“Fuck yes, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”

“We’re going too,” Avra insisted.

I wasn’t about to argue with the three of them, so I shrugged and led them out to the barn. We avoided the tunnels, the estate filled with the morning bustle of workers going about their duties, weaving through the grounds. It felt normal to anyone seeing us walk across the property.

Just outside the room where Xenos was confined, Elias and Iason waited. Nikolas had joined them.

“Niko!” Laya gasped in disbelief the moment she spotted him, her voice a mix of surprise and joy. “What are you doing here?”

Avra narrowed her gaze at us, her arms crossing. “So, everyone knew except us?”

“No,” I replied, shaking my head. “Elias got the plan first thing this morning.”

Elias stepped forward, rubbing the back of his neck as if searching for the right words. “I only called Nikolas after that.”

Avra studied us, some hidden truth swirling in her mind. Finally, she relaxed ever so slightly. “I promise,” I offered, giving her a crooked smile to ease the tension.

“So he’s in there?” Cali squared her shoulders, ready to meet him .

“Yes.”

“Okay.” She formed a small huddle with her sisters.

I stepped back to give them space, joining Elias and Nikolas as we waited. I knew they’d be upset that I hadn’t shared my plan earlier, but this risk had to be taken. Capturing Xenos, instead of ending him in his own home, was meant to prove my loyalty.

After a quick, secretive conversation, the sisters returned to us, their resolve evident. I wanted to ask what they had decided but held my tongue.

“We’re all going in together to confront him,” Cali declared, her tone leaving no room for discussion.

I wasn’t surprised by her pronouncement, though I hoped they didn’t assume they were going in without backup.

“Ozias Xenos ruined our lives,” Avra spoke with quiet fury. “We want him to see our faces, united and strong, so he knows the Vitalis sisters finally destroyed him.”

I took a deep breath and looked at Elias and Nikolas. We all recognized the tremendous strength of these women, yet we cherished them. We were determined to shield them at any cost. Although Ozias was physically held on that table, what about their emotional well-being?

Worry gnawed at me, though I knew Avra and Laya were tough, fierce warriors with a strength that could intimidate the strongest opponent. I had witnessed their prowess firsthand.

But Cali? She was different. She had endured so much suffering, and fresh apprehension crept in as I considered what this might do to her. She had come so far in her healing journey. Would facing him set her back? Would it trigger old traumas and pull her back into darkness?

Would facing this asshole do more damage to her than good?

She sensed my hesitation, looking over at me with impatience.

“I’m fine, Leon, I promise,” she said, her words laced with exasperation. “I can handle this. You don’t have to worry about me.”

She faced off with me, her steely gaze daring me to stop her.