Page 91 of Power

Juno and CJ were getting bigger each day, and Iwas 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 withinus.

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.

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