Page 72 of Beyond Enemy Vows
"Yes," I say, but the word feels fragile, because deep down, I know what people are capable of when they think it's for family.
And I know how much can be hidden from the people you love.
And speaking of love...
I hesitate, then carefully ask, "What about Niko? Do you think he could have been involved? We just saw him a few weeks ago."
Katerina shrugs, pulling her hand away to rub her eyes and sit up. "I guess anything's possible. But Stavros is cruel. He does a lot without Niko knowing. I saw it firsthand when I lived there." She pauses, like she's deciding whether to go further. "I've never heard him say it outright, but I've always had the impression Niko hates him. And I could understand why, considering how Stavros treated him. Used to hit him when he was younger."
"Oh, wow, yeah, then maybe Niko doesn't know," I say, hoping Katerina will confirm my desperate attempt to exonerate Niko, but she stays quiet.
I force myself to look away for a moment. I can't let her see too much on my face. I don't want to make my interest in him too obvious. I need to switch the subject.
"So, the woman downstairs. Athena? What's her story?"
Katerina nods. "Yes. She's with Dimitri now. Was the one who took him at the wedding, if you can believe it. She planned to kill him for killing her father. But," she pauses and clears her throat, "long story short, they're in love now. She helped unlock the phone that led us to Stavros."
"Seriously?" I stare at her, stunned.
"Yeah. Lots been going on. I kept telling your brothers to loop you in, but you know how they are."
Before I can respond, a voice comes from the doorway. "Actually, that's why I'm here."
We both turn. Theo stands in the doorway, watching us with that same intense expression.
Theo steps inside, closing the door behind him. He nods toward Katerina. "She's right. It's time you know."
I straighten my back, preparing myself. "Know what?"
He sits down in a chair opposite the bed and sighs. "I don't know how much you know, either from one of us mentioning something or you overhearing, so I'll just lay it all out now."
What follows is a steady, deliberate unpacking of the last few weeks and months.
What Theo has been through. What's happened to Dimitri since the wedding. The phone Athena unlocked, the messages, the Athenian warriors. The chain that links them to the shooting atme and Katerina in the restaurant that nearly killed us. The note,The sons will follow the father, that's kept Theo, Ares, and Dimitri awake more nights than they can count. The possibility, the likelihood, that it extends to me as well.
Every new piece slots into place like bricks stacking higher.
By the time he finishes, my head is buzzing. "It's a lot," I admit. "But I'm glad to finally know. So what happens now?"
"We take them out first." Theo's tone is blunt, matter-of-fact, as if he's discussing a business transaction rather than multiple murders. "Stavros. Niko. Anyone who helped them."
My heart stops.
"You only have confirmation that Stavros was involved," I say, the words tumbling out too quickly. "Why Niko? Does he have to die too?"
Theo's eyebrows lift slightly, registering my reaction. "Yes. Even if he didn't know, he'd retaliate like we are. We can't leave loose ends, Calli. He dies too."
The room seems to tilt under me. I try to breathe, but my lungs won't cooperate.
"But you don't know he was involved," I protest, struggling to keep my voice from shaking. "Shouldn't you be sure before you?—"
"I'm telling you this because you're family," Theo interrupts, standing, "not because I'm asking for your opinion. Why do you care anyway?"
I stare up at him, speechless.
"Why do I care?" I repeat the question, trying to buy more time.
Why?
