Page 35

C ALISTA

SIX MONTHS LATER

My sisters and I sat soaking in the warm rays of sunshine out on Laya and Niko’s terrace after a long day of training in our personal gym.

Dryad, the oak tree that Niko’s parents had planted, was putting on quite a show as it danced in the gentle breeze that rippled through the air, its branches lifting and falling gracefully. The leaves threw shadows on the roses below, the light flirting with the beautiful, fragrant blossoms.

Juno and CJ were getting bigger each day, and I was having a delightful time watching them run my sisters ragged. Juno was in Avra’s lap, snuggling against her chest, while CJ crawled faster than ever, ready to walk any day. Laya was perpetually chasing after him.

As I’d expected, Laya and Avra were spectacular mothers. They were perhaps a tad overprotective, but I supposed that was to be expected, as well.

The three of us had endured so much violence and trauma as young children. The world we lived in was more dangerous than most, with the violence of the syndicates drawing closer as we became more powerful.

After just a few years since we’d returned to Greece, we had managed to reclaim power over all the territories that had once belonged to our family, along with a few additional ones.

As of now, we were the most powerful family in all of Greece.

In this process, we acquired an impressive list of allies, both within the region and beyond.

If anyone dared to harm the Vitalis family now, our expansive network of loyalists would deliver a swift, efficient, and potent response.

Because of this, it was rare for any of the family heads to order an attack against us. Most of them respected our power, even if it had come at an expense. We ensured that those who challenged us realized we would not hold back when it came to retaliation.

I glanced over at my two sisters, the devoted mothers who looked lovingly upon their children, amazed at the dichotomy they presented.

On the surface, they were two typical maternal figures, appearing soft and peaceful.

Still, they were two expertly trained, fearless assassins with a deep desire to rule over as many cities in Greece as they possibly could.

“What are you chuckling about?” Avra asked, raising a brow.

“I was just wondering what our enemies would think if they saw the two of you being so soft and gentle with your children,” I replied with a smile.

“They would think they had leverage over us,” Laya said.

“If anyone dared to use one of our children to gain power over us, I’d have them destroyed without a second thought,” Avra said, her tone reflecting the strength in her words.

“I’d do it myself.” Laya lifted her chin.

The two of them looked like they were ready to strike this imaginary enemy at any second.

“Relax, you two,” I said, my voice calm despite the tension that wove itself into the air around us. “It was just a thought. Nobody is foolish enough to come after us. At least, not anymore.”

My words lingered, their weight reminding us of a darkness we all wished to forget.

Memories flooded my mind: the walls of our childhood shattered, and the laughter of our parents faded away too soon.

I could almost feel the chilling grip of fear returning as I recalled the night of my abduction and the days when my cries for help went unnoticed.

We’d faced horrors that no one should ever have to endure.

Yet, through the ashes of our past, something fierce had ignited within us.

The three girls who once hid in the shadows of Prague were still alive in our hearts, but they wore the armor of their scars now.

We had transformed that relentless agony into an unbreakable bond, a shield of resilience wrapped around our souls.

We were not merely survivors but warriors, forged from the fires of our own horror, ready to face whatever came next.

“You’re right, Cali.” Laya picked up CJ and plopped him on her lap. “I think we’ve finally reached a level of power where we can expect our enemies to show us respect, for the most part.”

“That doesn’t mean we can let our guard down,” Avra said.

As the oldest of us three, she was always the one who worried, believing it was her duty to stay alert for any trouble heading our way.

“Avra, I love you for it, but you don’t have to always be so on edge,” I said. “It’s not up to you to protect us at all times anymore. We’re adults now. Hell, we’re all married now to strong, powerful, and protective men.”

She looked at me as if I suddenly had two heads.

“And you think that warrants me not doing my job?” she asked, lifting a brow. “I’ve been looking after the two of you since you were infants. I don’t see that stopping anytime soon.”

“Don’t you want to relax?”

“We’re the Vitalis sisters,” she insisted, as if it required reiteration. “Don’t underestimate our enemies, Calista. We come from generations of families who have fought for this. The moment we look away, they will strike. Remember my warning.”

I wasn’t going to argue with her when it was pointless. I had hoped that becoming a mother would ease the tremendous weight of responsibility on Avra’s shoulders. Since our parents’ murder, she had been endlessly burdened by it.

Yet, after giving birth, it seemed she was carrying even heavier loads. I realized she would never be free of this duty with another child to protect.

I sighed as I gazed at the fluffy clouds gliding through the bright blue sky, feeling my worries float away with them. I had dedicated far too much time to fretting about the past and the future.

These days, I caught myself savoring each moment. The vibrancy of now enveloped me, urging me to stay present.

Leon was by my side.

Our days unfurled like a gentle stream, flowing effortlessly as we navigated life together. Each shared glance deepened our connection, weaving intimacy into a beautiful tapestry of love, each thread spun from raw passion and the softest whispers that lingered between us.

Somehow, we managed to find a balance that left both of us physically and emotionally satisfied.

Leon was an amazing person, a fantastic lover, and most importantly, he had become a great friend to me. He was precisely what I needed in my life. Selecting him as my husband was the perfect decision.

I shuddered at the thought that I had even considered Dominic Lucianos as a possibility.

After Dominic had rudely interrupted our wedding, his brother reached out.

He tried to make amends for his brother’s rogue behavior, insisting they were already trying to oust him from the family before I’d killed him.

I accepted their apology, but I did not extend my hand any further. I wanted nothing to do with any of them. His brother was much more intelligent because he didn’t press the matter any further, keeping his distance from me and my family.

I reached down and petted Leo’s head as she lay at my side. My sisters had their babies, and I had my loyal dog. She was just what I needed right now, and Leon too. But soon, there would be one more addition, which was why I was staring so adoringly at my sisters this morning.

My hand fell on my lower abdomen, a soft, dreamy smile spreading across my face as I considered just how perfect my life had turned out to be.

CJ dashed across the terrace once more, with Laya in pursuit. The moment she retrieved him and set him down, he beamed at her, releasing an adorable giggle.

“CJ!” Laya exclaimed with joy.

Avra clapped her hands and shouted, “Oh my God.”

“Yes, CJ!” I cheered. “Go! Walk!”

He let go of Laya’s hands and did just that, taking three more steps before he fell on his butt. He looked back at us, surprised by what he’d accomplished.

The three of us jumped to our feet, clapping and cheering. Laya rushed over to him, picked him up, and spun him around. Tears rolled down her face .

“Oh, you look so happy!” I said, going over and gathering them both in a big hug.

“I’m crying because my job has just gotten much harder!” CJ wiggled and squirmed in Laya’s arms, but she held onto him. “How am I ever going to be able to keep up with him now?”

“Uhh. I just realized I’m next.” Avra put Juno into the baby carriage next to her.

“Yes, you are,” Laya replied, giving her a pointed look. “And I’m going to laugh at you, just as you’ve done to me this whole time!”

“Hey, it was good-natured,” Avra protested.

I pulled away from Laya and CJ, figuring this was the best time to share the news I’d been keeping to myself for far too long.

Keeping secrets from them was nearly impossible, but this one had been excruciating.

I took a deep breath and glanced at their expectant faces. My heart raced in my chest, and I fiddled with the hem of my shirt, feeling the weight of unspoken words.

“You guys,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper, as if the very act of speaking it would make it more real. I hadn’t shared this yet, not even with Leon, and the air thickened with my uncertainty.

“It looks like I’m going to be next.”

They stopped, cocked their heads, and stared at me.

“Next for what?” Avra shook her head. “I’m confused.”

I laid my palm on my stomach, raising a brow, waiting for them to catch on .

“Oh my God! Calista!” Laya shouted. “Are you pregnant?”

Tears formed as I spoke those words for the first time. “I’m going to be a mother, just like the two of you.”

They rushed over to me, hugging me with pure joy.

“We’re going to be aunts!” Avra said. “Again!”

“You’re going to be the best aunts ever!” I assured them.

“Cali, I’m so happy for you and Leon. He must be over the moon.”

“Actually,” I admitted, “I haven’t told him yet.”

Laya asked, “Why not?”

“I wanted to share this with you two first.” I smiled at the two most important people in my life.

“You’re my sisters, and revealing this to you before anyone else felt right.

I love Leon with all my heart and am excited to have his child.

I’ve always told my sisters significant news first. Why should that be different now? I’m sure Leon will understand.”

“Oh, Cali!” Avra exclaimed, tears flowing down her face in sync with mine. “You’re going to be an amazing mother.”

“If sharing blood with the two of you is any indicator, then yes, I will be.”

We laughed and cried, hugging each other until CJ wiggled to be let go again, scrambling down Laya’s legs until his little feet hit the ground.

And in the next second, he was gone again, fleeing from his mother and venturing out into the world, another formidable Vitalis eager to demonstrate the strength of the blood coursing through his veins, now and forever .

If you haven’t read the full journey of the Vitalis sisters, start at the beginning with Legacy and witness the enemies-to-lovers storm between Avra and Elias that started it all.

Or dive into an entirely new, indulgent world of power, sin, and seduction.

Begin the Gods of Vegas series with Master of Sin .

Prefer something darker and grittier?

Enter the dangerous underworld of New York in Dangerous King .