Page 70 of The Diávolos: Part Two
A little flustered, I try to continue without glancing at Evan again. “Then, we keep digging. This will only end one way—by shutting down the Sisterhood for good. Whether my father keeps quiet or not, soon he will no longer be the head of the Kouvalakis family.”
Everyone around the table knows what that means: my father will die.
“Last I heard, you weren’t happy about eliminating your father. What changed?” Damon asks, his brows furrowed.
This is my opportunity to prove myself as the true heir. “What changed is that Peter killed my mother out of selfishness and to save the integrity of the Sisterhood.” People around the table gasp in shock. “And then, he sent me to the institution for five years. I still don’t know what happened to me during that time…” Bitter resentment rises inside me.
Gloria draws in a sharp breath. “You poor girl!”
My lips press together in a firm line. “Not only did my father ruin my life, he’s responsible for the murder of Ignatius Vasilakis, and of Evander’s parents and sister.” Evan tenses, his jaw clenching. I interlace my fingers with his. His discomfort is palpable, but the Godfathers have to know why they can trust us to follow through.
“So, Peter cannot be spared,” I say with finality. I will no longer allow anyone to step on my toes. “Does anyone have any objections?”
The doors to the restaurant swing open with so much force it draws everyone’s attention. The atmosphere immediately shifts, and Evander jumps off his chair, pushing me behind him.
“Do not move. If anything happens, hide under the table. And do not come out until I tell you to. Please, Angelica. Squeeze my arm if you understand,” he murmurs, and I do.
Gasps ripple through the room as the guests realize who the unwelcome intruders are.
In walks Philip Kastellanos, flanked by a group of armed men. “I think someone forgot my invite to the happy celebration.”
20
EVANDER
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
—A.A. Milne
“Enjoying your little party, are we?” Philip’s voice cuts through the thick tension. The room falls into silence. The Godfathers all reach for their weapons, without drawing them, but I take my gun out of my waistband and put it on the table.
“It’s nice of you to join us, Kastellanos,” I say, sarcastic, as Philip’s men disperse throughout the room.
Philip pulls out a chair at the other end of the table. “It seems like my invitation got lost in the mail.”
“Tell me what you want and get the fuck out.”
“Isn’t that a little rude,Diávolos?” Philip sneers. “Congratulations, by the way,” he says, pouring himself a glass of ouzo. “If you thought we wouldn’t find out about your littlecelebration, you’re not as smart as you appear to be.”
Angelica moves out from behind me, pissed. “Fuck you, Philip. Evander’s smarter than you’ll ever be. If you knew wewere getting married, it’s because heallowedyou to find out. TheDiávolosdoes nothing that’s not calculated.”
Philip sits back in his chair, slightly surprised at her little outburst, but a goddamn smirk appears on his face. I want to punch it right off.
A sly smile creeps across my lips, and I begin to clap my hands slowly. “You’ve eaten through the crumbs I left you, Kastellanos. Good boy.”
Philip frowns. “What are you talking about?”
“As my wife said, if you know anything, it’s because Iletyou find out. Do you really think you just stumbled across that information?”
“Whatever,” Philip dismisses. “I want to know why Peter and I weren’t invited to this dinner, considering his beloved daughter was getting married, and my own daughter is one of the guests.” He looks over to Aria and she stiffens. From the corner of my eye, I notice Dion approaching her, like a bodyguard ready to shield her, and he positions himself between Aria and her father.
“Don’t be stupid, Kastellanos. You know very well that your boss has gone into hiding. And I have no doubt he sent you here to do his bidding. You and Peter no longer have the right to sit among us.”
“I beg to differ!” he shouts, slamming his glass down on the table, startling the women. “We deserve to know what you're plotting. Especially if it involves our business!”
My eyebrows shoot up. “I must say I’m very disappointed at your sheer audacity to grace us tonight. You no longer have any right to be here, even more so considering you’re not a Godfather,” I note, my gaze narrowing on him. “What makes the situation even worse is your unapologetic association with the Sisterhood.” My facial muscles tighten. “To have the nerve to walk into a room full of your enemies speaks volumes about your obliviousness and lack of respect for the delicate balance thatholds our partnerships together.” I place a palm on my handgun. “So, I suggest you reconsider your decision and get the fuck out, Philip.”
“Or what? You’ll riddle me with bullets like you did with Jurian?” Philip hisses.
