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“This is all your fault!” He hurled the accusation at me.

I arched an eyebrow. “What have I done to warrant an assault on my staff and customers? Are you such a coward that you can’t face me directly?”

I leaped off the chair, landing in front of him, staring him down.

“I’m here now, Polus,” I stated.

Iason approached, planting his feet wide apart, fists clenched and coiled like springs ready to unleash a storm.

Unaware of the chaos brewing, Polus continued to taunt, playing with fire as his words ignited tension.

Iason, my business partner and steadfast protector, radiated a menacing energy, a clear warning that he could unleash fury if provoked.

But I could too .

“You’ve drawn your line in the sand, Boscos. Now you have to suffer the consequences.”

“And what line is that?”

“Don’t play innocent! Everyone knows what you’re planning!”

“Outside of another restaurant, Polus? Please tell me what plans I’ve made that warrant you beating the shit out of each other in my restaurant.”

“When you suggested marrying a Vitalis,” he started, standing amidst the debris, perfectly upright in his charcoal suit as if he had orchestrated the entire scene, “you made it clear to everyone where your loyalty stands. You picked a side. Now, anyone who enters your restaurants is endorsing your decision, every choice you make.”

I clenched my fists. “That’s ridiculous. You know it.”

“Are you saying it’s not true?” Polus arched a brow. “You’re not planning to marry Calista Vitalis?”

“I’m not saying anything of the sort. That’s none of your business, Polus, and you know that.”

I’d expected objections. My alliance with her would shift power across half the island, but I hadn’t reckoned with Polus trashing my flagship location before I’d even had an answer. Did merely weighing her proposal justify this?

I swept a hand across my face, willing my fury back behind the dam of my teeth. My other hand hovered near the heavy brass kendo stick I kept behind the bar. Better to save that demonstration for when it mattered.

“It is our business,” he insisted. “There are territories involved. Business deals to consider. Certain consolidations can never occur if the Vitalis sisters are involved.”

“I barely do any business with your family. If this is such an issue, then I can assure you I can eliminate any future dealings. Now, please get the fuck out of my restaurant and don’t ever step foot near it again.”

“You think you can tell us what to do? You think you can do whatever you want, without repercussions?”

I jerked my head toward the door and then toward the ruined decor, from the spray of wine on the walls to the splintered tables. “Did your Papa send you to do this, Nektarios? Is this a temper tantrum gone awry?”

Polus squared his shoulders. “I’m running the Polus syndicate now, and the Manolises need to understand the consequences of maintaining certain loyalties.”

“I see.” I stepped forward, bringing my face close to his and lowering my voice to a menacing growl.

Anger and rage bubbled to the surface, threatening to break through my restraint.

“Gather your boys and get them out before I jam your fucking head through the window. You don’t want me to demonstrate what happens when you decide to fuck with me and mine. That includes my allies.”

His face twisted. “Why put it all on the line, Leon? For a spent whore? Half this town got her in that kidnapping. Now you’ll risk your name for a tainted cunt?”

I inhaled the bitter air, blood thrumming in my ears. Calista’s name on Polus’s lips was like poison. And I would see this through, no matter the cost.

My knuckles slammed into his cheek before caution had a chance to speak. Bone crackled like breaking twigs, and bright red droplets arced through the air.

He stumbled backward, legs folding beneath him, and I was on top of him before he hit the floor. My weight pinned his chest to the scorched tile, and my fists moved in a brutal rhythm, each punch a hammer driving through flesh.

The world narrowed to the taste of blood on my tongue, the roar of my heartbeat in my ears, and the savage need to make him pay.

Around us, chairs clattered as Iason hurled himself into Polus’s men. The crash of bottles and the thud of bodies hitting tables made the restaurant feel alive with violence, but every second I spent looking at Polus’s face added fuel to the fire beneath my ribs.

He’d spat vile words about Calista, twisted her name until it sickened me. He deserved every wound I carved into his skin.

“Don’t you ever speak of Calista that way again!” The words tore out of me.

Blood splattered across my forearms, dark and slippery, but I welcomed it.

I pummeled him, each fist smashing into his jaw, ready to drain the life out of him.

“I’ll kill you!” I roared, my rage growing by the second.

He tried to gasp out a word. I crushed it.

“One more slip of your tongue about her, and I’ll finish you right here.”

My arms shook, veins thrumming, but I kept moving, punch after punch, until his body slumped, heartbeats fading into silence under my weight.

Then I kept going.

A firm grip seized my shoulders and wrenched me back.

I staggered off him, chest heaving.

“Boss, it’s over.” Iason steered me backward, away from Polus’s still form.

My gaze drifted over the ruined dining room, splintered chairs, shards of glass glittering in broken light, terrified staff pressed into a corner, faces pale as bone.

I took a step that felt like walking through mud. My shirt clung to me, soaked in blood that wasn’t mine but felt intimate on my skin. I blinked, trying to clear the fog. Iason’s hand stayed firm on my shoulder.

“Let’s get some air,” he said, voice even. “I’ll bring our crew in to clean this mess.”

I crouched beside Polus and nudged him with my shoe. His chest rose in a ragged breath.

Good.

He’d live to carry every broken promise back to the world that dared insult Calista. I stood, spine coiling with cold satisfaction, and turned to my staff.

“Alex, send everyone home. The restaurant is closed until further notice. All the staff will receive full pay, so tell them not to worry. I apologize that they had to witness this.”

“Thank you, Mr. Boscos,” Alex said.

He slipped out a side door with the others, footsteps echoing down the alley .

Iason and I walked outside, stepping over bodies strewn like discarded dolls. A small crowd had gathered under the flickering neon sign, but people scattered into the night at our approach.

“I’ll wait here until our guys arrive.” Iason took in my appearance, without doubt noting my soaked shirt and bruised knuckles. “Are you okay? You’re covered in blood.”

“None of this blood belongs to me,” I replied, chest heaving. “He didn’t land a single punch.”

“I’m not surprised.” He laughed.

“What about you?” I asked, pointing to his split lip.

“I’ll manage. Are you okay to drive yourself home?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Thanks.”

A few seconds later, I climbed behind the wheel of my car. My knuckles throbbed with life. I turned the key, and the engine rumbled awake.

As I pulled onto the street, fury still hissed through my veins. Polus’s insults had lit a fire I didn’t even know I carried, and every mile fading behind me only fanned the flames.

A smile tugged at my lips as I thought of Calista.

How she was so important to me, someone not even my wife yet, and already worth any fight I had in me.

She still hadn’t chosen, and I was already willing to protect her and defend her name.

I pressed my palm to the steering wheel, knuckles stiff, heart still thrumming with the taste of battle.

What would I do once we were married?

To what lengths would I go to keep her safe ?

The answer settled behind my ribs like a promise: no boundary, no limit.

A weak man backed down.

My hands tightened on the wheel. I was far from weak.