4. Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Jace
I stared at my reflection, straightening the collar of my sanguine button-down. It was Saturday, which meant I'd be subjected to another fucking dinner at the Anastasakis house.
Maybe it was the orphan in me, but the whole idea of family dinners felt pointless. Sure, Sulien’s death had been tragic, but the four of us gathering every week? It felt like we were already rehearsing for the next loss.
All of us—Kane, his mother Gianna, Sulien’s father Shin, and me—were villains. Kane and I weren’t as bad as the older generation, but we sure as hell weren’t saints. Our lives revolved around the gray areas of the law, where death was just part of the deal. I didn’t need to be reminded of that over roasted lamb and forced conversation every goddamn Saturday.
Except this week, I actually wanted to go. Not for the company—definitely not for that. No, I wanted to pull Kane away from her .
Callie Voltaris.
I’d never really liked Callie. She was too perfect, too polished. It made her feel fake as hell. I still didn’t understand how she’d caught Sulien’s eye. And now, somehow, she’d wrapped Kane around her spoiled little finger.
I’d known Kane my entire life. He never really got caught up in people. He was stoic, serious, and all business. But since Callie had shown up on our doorstep with her sob story and swollen belly, he hadn’t shut up about her or that damn baby.
“She’s been holed up in Sul’s room since last night,” Kane said, his tone flat as he shaved in the bathroom mirror. “Think I should be worried?”
I shot him a look, watching as his tanned skin peeked through the white shaving cream. Worried? About some prep-school princess who’d lived in a bubble her whole life? She was finally facing reality, and that wasn’t our problem.
“Worried about what?” I scoffed, running a brush through my long chestnut hair.
“She’s pregnant, Jace,” Kane muttered, tilting his chin higher as he dragged the razor down his jaw. “And she hasn’t eaten since last night.”
“She’s big enough as it is. She’ll be fine.” I yanked the brush harder through my hair, feeling the tension as the long strands fell back down my spine.
Kane froze mid-shave, glaring at me in the mirror. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“It means she’ll eat when she’s hungry. Missing one meal won’t kill her.” Gods, did I really need to spell this out for him?
Callie had let herself go since Sulien died. While I knew that would’ve driven that chubby-chasing motherfucker wild, he wasn’t here to see it. That meant it was up to us, as his partners, not to enjoy what he couldn’t. Yet Kane had been plowing her every chance he got, which was disrespectful to Sulien, to say the least.
“If Sulien were here, he’d beat your ass for saying that,” Kane warned, his voice low.
“If Sulien were here,” I mocked, waving my hands dramatically, “He’d incinerate you for fucking his baby mama morning, noon, and night. Or did you forget how much he hated people touching his stuff?”
Kane’s grip on the towel tightened, and the light above the sink flickered. For a second, I thought he might use one of his shadows to yank me by the collar, but he let out a slow breath, his dark eyes burning into mine.
“Well, he’s not here,” Kane finally said, his voice a dangerous rumble. “And it’s my job to take care of what’s left of him.”
Great. His favorite topic—the baby that shouldn’t exist.
“Take care of her?” I snorted. “Which part of ‘taking care of her’ involves you screwing her every chance you get?”
“I don’t know!” Kane snapped, tossing the towel down. “I’m just doing what feels right. She’s not like us, Jace. She doesn’t know how to handle losing everything she loves. I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
I blinked, momentarily stunned by the intensity in his voice. Kane never lost his cool. But this girl—this sheltered, fragile girl—was getting to him, and that was a problem.
“What happens when the baby gets here?” I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorframe. “You gonna play house? Kane, our place isn’t safe enough for a fucking cat, let alone a baby.”
Kane clenched his jaw, eyes dropping to the floor. “I didn’t think that far ahead.”
“No shit, you didn’t.” I rolled my eyes. “So maybe it’s time to figure out how to send her back to her parents. Then we can pretend this whole week never happened.”
Kane’s head snapped up, and he glared at me. “We’re not discussing this. Go tell her to get dressed. We need to leave soon.”
His tone left no room for argument, but a knot formed in my throat. I could push him more, but I didn’t want to. Not today.
“Why does she need to get dressed?” I asked, even though I had an unfortunate feeling I already knew the answer.
“For dinner. My mom’s excited to meet her.”
I raised a brow. Gianna Anastasakis, leader of the Eclipse Cartel, wanted to meet Callie .
“You think bringing a Voltaris into your family home is smart?” I challenged.
Kane took a sharp breath, his jaw tightening. He didn’t bother answering. He knew I was right, but no one could win an argument with me. I was too damn good at running my mouth.
“Just go get her,” Kane grumbled. “Or else.”
I held up my hands in mock surrender, shaking them dramatically. “Oh nooo, whatever will you do to me?”
“Jace,” he warned, the look in his eyes telling me I was about a heartbeat away from getting my ass kicked.
Normally, I’d push him until he snapped, but today? Nah, not in the mood. Last night had been tough. My clients had been rougher than usual, and while I knew nights like that came with the job, they still drained me in ways I couldn’t explain. And I couldn’t talk to Kane about any of it because if I did, he’d just get pissed at me for still doing it.
The last thing I needed was another fight with Kane. He already did enough for me, even if I could never tell him that.
“Fine, I’m going,” I mumbled, pushing myself off the doorframe and heading down the hall.
I didn’t need to see his face to know what he looked like—somewhere between annoyance and pity. He knew I’d had a terrible night. He’d ask later, and I’d lie. That’s how we worked.
Shaking off the thoughts, I focused on the task ahead. Dinner wasn’t going to lift my spirits, but messing with Callie? That just might.
I knocked on Sulien’s old bedroom door hard enough to make the hinges rattle.
“Rise and shine, princess!”
Nothing. Not even a snarky reply.
“Oh, Callie,” I sang, forcing faux sweetness to coat my words. “Your presence is being requested.”
Still nothing. Rude-ass brat.
I rolled my eyes and pushed the door open, half expecting to find her curled up, napping like she usually did. Instead, she was on the floor, hunched over an open laptop. Papers were scattered everywhere, covered in chaotic scribbles. What the hell was she doing?
“What the fuck are you up to?” I asked, my curiosity momentarily overriding my desire to torment her.
She didn’t even look up. She just kept working like her life depended on it. I stepped closer, peeking over her shoulder. It looked like some kind of diagram—or maybe she was summoning a demon. Whatever it was, it could wait.
“CALLIE!” I barked.
She jumped, yanking out one of her earbuds, eyes wide as she pressed a hand to her chest. “You scared me!”
“Maybe answer when I knock.” I grinned and dropped onto the floor beside her. “We’re leaving in half an hour. Get up and get dressed.”
Her brow furrowed. “Where are we going?”
“Dinner.” I plucked the earbud from the floor, surprised by the classic rock blasting out of it. I would’ve figured Callie listened to bubblegum pop or some sad acoustic bullshit. “Family dinner, actually.”
Her face scrunched up like she’d forgotten how to comprehend basic English.
“Gianna Anastasakis?” I clarified. “Leader of the Eclipse Cartel? Runs this whole damn city?”
Her eyes widened slightly, but she still didn’t say anything.
“And Shin…” I reached out, placing my hand over her distended belly. It was softer than I expected. “Well, he’s this one’s Grandpa.”
Her face drained of color. Her breath hitched. She was terrified—perfect.
I could’ve reassured her that Shin wasn’t as bad as the stories made him sound, but where was the fun in that?
“S-Sulien’s dad?” she stammered, trying to inch away from me. “... Vexxas?”
“So you do know Shin.” I smiled, slipping my hand beneath the sleeve of her shirt, feeling her pulse thundering beneath my fingers.
With just a touch, she was mine. I could feel the blood in her veins, but more than that, I could use it to control her.
Her breath quickened, probably as she realized she couldn’t move.
“But don’t worry,” I whispered, my lips grazing her ear. “Shin’s a family man. That’s why he disintegrated the hospital where his wife died. I’m sure he won’t do anything to hurt his grandbaby… or the girl who ruined his son’s legacy.”
“I—what?” Her voice shook.
“You ruined Sulien’s career,” I said with a shrug, keeping my hand where it was. “He gets a PR rep, and the next thing we know, she’s knocked up. I’m sure that didn’t make him look like a creep.”
Her lips parted like she wanted to argue, but nothing came out.
“Because of you, he’s remembered as the guy who couldn’t keep it in his pants.”
Her lip trembled, but she swallowed back the tears. I was almost impressed by her nerve.
“I don’t want to go to dinner,” she muttered softly.
“Ah, ah, ah.” I wagged my finger in her face. “Didn’t ask if you wanted to go. I’m telling you that you’re going. Now, get up and get your pretty little ass dressed.”
Thirty minutes later, we were pulling up to Kane’s family estate.
I was used to the grandeur of the Anastasakis home. The place was large enough to house a small village, and it pretty much did. Every single room was filled with cartel members.
Unsurprisingly, Callie looked uncomfortable the second we stepped onto the marble porch. She was practically glued to Kane’s arm, half-hidden behind his back like a scared kid. It was almost… cute. Not that I’d admit that out loud.
And the worst part? They actually looked good together.
Kane, dressed in his usual Saturday best—dark button-down, sleeves rolled just enough to reveal the black tattoos etched into his golden skin. He looked like he belonged here, the prince of a shadowy kingdom.
Then there was Callie, who obviously didn’t belong—golden hair, floral dress, soft edges designed to cover Kane’s sharp ones. It was like watching some twisted version of yin and yang.
It pissed me off. Not just because they looked like a goddamn couple, but because I couldn’t stop staring at her.
I hated it. I hated that she was getting under my skin. I hated every time she tugged nervously on Kane’s arm or bit her lip in that innocent, unsure way, one that made me completely unable to look away. And worst of all? I hated that Kane noticed me noticing her.
The corner of his lips twitched into a smirk as he placed his hand on top of the one Callie kept curled around his bicep.
“Take a breath. Everyone’s excited to meet you,” he whispered.
I clenched my jaw and forced myself to look away from her. No sooner had I done so than the massive wooden door opened, revealing Gianna Anastasakis herself.
Her presence was commanding despite the unusually soft smile on her lips.
“You’re late,” she said, her dark eyes pinned directly on Kane.
He pulled away from Callie just long enough to hug his mom. “Sorry, Callie was caught up in homework, and we lost track of time.”
Gianna’s gaze flicked to Callie, causing all the color to drain from the princess’s cheeks. She instantly glued herself back onto Kane’s arm, holding onto him for dear life.
“Oooh, so you’ve got a smart girl,” Gianna purred, stepping to the side. “Come on in. Shin’s been talking about meeting Callie all day.”
Callie’s breath hitched as Kane started to move, but she stayed anchored in place, her gaze planted on the ground. It was like she’d forgotten how to walk. Kane placed a hand on her back, leaning in and whispering something too low for me to catch. He hid the action with a kiss on her cheek before he guided Callie inside.
I followed behind them, grinding my teeth as I ignored the strange knot forming in my chest. Kane and Callie removed their shoes before entering the dining room, but as I tried to do the same, Gianna’s hand found the crook of my elbow. Her nails dug into my skin just enough to sting.
I glanced down at her hand, then up at her face. Gianna didn’t scare me, even when she tried shit like this.
“That girl… she’s Sulien’s… right?” Gianna drawled as the other two members of our party disappeared into the dining room.
I nodded slowly, not entirely sure where this was going.
Her lips twitched into a look of disapproval. “Poor thing. Shin’s going to eat her alive.”
I let out a low breath as Gianna released me. I shouldn’t have been concerned about whether Shin was going to eat her alive or not. Honestly, it would probably be best if she got scared away.
But somewhere deep down—and I mean deep, buried under all the sarcasm and resentment I normally hid behind—I didn’t like how Gianna said that.
And more than that, I hated that I cared.