Influence (Sisters of Wrath #2)

Chapter 1

One

L AYANA

Time to do your part, Laya.

Anticipation twisted in my chest as the car sped through the lush, vibrant hills of the Greek countryside. The blur of colors and shapes outside sent my heart racing, a mix of excitement and apprehension churning in my belly.

Today, I was to meet my new fiancé at his estate.

I inhaled deep, the cool air filling my lungs as I braced myself for what lay ahead. I could do this. I had never shied away from a challenge throughout my life, but this felt different. This decision loomed over me, ready to shape the course of my existence.

Beside me, my sister Avra exuded an unwavering strength, her presence a comforting balm. She had always stood firm against challenges, a true role model.

“You can still change your mind, Laya,” she urged, her brows knitted in concern as her eyes locked onto mine. “You don’t have to do this.”

I shook my head, my voice steady. “There’s no changing my mind. A deal is a deal. I’m committed.”

Yet, even as the words echoed in the air, a flutter of unease danced in my stomach. My life had set its course toward reclaiming what had been stolen from our family. This sacrificial path led me to the altar, where I had agreed to marry for a greater purpose.

“That isn’t true,” Elias Xenos, Avra’s husband, interjected from the front seat. “We can turn this car around and go back to my estate if you change your mind.”

I couldn’t help but smirk at Eli’s offer. He was among the deadliest men I’d ever met, yet he showed a softer side only for Avra. Her happiness was everything to him, and consequently, mine was too.

“Don’t coddle her,” Vik Remes interjected in his straightforward manner.

“Thank you,” I replied appreciatively. “At least someone believes I know what I want.”

Vik nodded and maintained eye contact with me.

He’d sacrificed his youth to protect us after our parents' murder forced our escape. He arranged for us to settle in Prague under assumed identities and taught us everything we needed to navigate the syndicate world and defend ourselves.

As we transitioned into adulthood, Avra and I formulated a strategy to reclaim control of our family’s territories.

It involved all three sisters at various stages.

Earlier this year, we returned to Greece for the first phase of our plan.

Avra had executed it nearly flawlessly, with only minor complications.

Watching Avra negotiate her marriage to the son of our fiercest adversary and transform it into a genuine partnership gave me hope. She demonstrated to the world that the Vitalis family was back in power and that we wouldn’t bow to anyone’s attempts to control us.

Elias discovered that Avra’s fiery spirit and strong temperament were precisely what he had never realized he needed. Together, they formed an unbeatable team, sharing true love and affection for one another.

Technically, no one had forced me into this arranged marriage. I was choosing Nikolas Galanis as my husband, so it seemed illogical for me to feel so uncertain about everything.

It wasn’t as if he had plucked me out of a magazine or something and declared, “That’s the girl, get her.”

Honestly, my choice could have been worse.

Nikolas embodied a Greek god, from his chiseled features and custom-tailored suits to his aura of unquestionable authority.

Our brief encounter left an undeniable impression—I couldn’t ignore my attraction.

However, my interest in him extended beyond his looks.

He proved his worth by helping to ensure our little sister, Cali, was safely returned after her abduction.

This act greatly enhanced my opinion of him and solidified his place as a valuable ally in our pursuit of power.

Nikolas’s Italian mafia ties would help us extend our power further. This was a crucial step in earning recognition and respect from other crime families, which had previously viewed us as inferior.

“Galanis has vineyards spread across the vast landscapes of Europe,” Eli stated, sipping his bottle of water. “My recent research indicates that he has exclusive contracts with every five-star hotel and resort on the continent, ensuring his wines are the toast of luxury.”

“That is indeed impressive.” Vik cast a quick, concerned glance in my direction.

I chose to ignore the worry etched in his eyes, a look that had been a constant presence since we rescued Cali.

My sister dominated my thoughts on most days.

Calista was slowly recovering from her traumatic experience.

For weeks, our enemies had tortured her.

While I felt relief at having her home, anxiety lingered.

She shut down about her ordeal, but the haunted expression in her eyes revealed the horrific reality we feared had become an unavoidable part of her life.

I kept a close watch on her, ensuring she knew I was there whenever she was ready to talk. As time passed, I began to doubt that moment would ever come. Unfortunately, it didn’t appear to be on the horizon.

Cali moved through her days in a haze, barely acknowledging the trauma she had endured. Yet, the deep impact was unmistakable. She flinched at slight noises, stared silently for hours, and screamed through nightmares.

“It’s good wine,” Avra said, snapping me from my brooding. “Expensive, but good.”

“Good?” Eli replied with a teasing smirk. “You and Laya drank so much of his estate’s Xinomavro a few weeks ago, I was sure you’d never stop giggling.”

Avra burst into laughter as she leaned against her husband’s shoulder. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.

Elias was observant and highly intuitive. He clearly sensed my nervousness about my first formal meeting with Nikolas and did his best to put me at ease. I liked him more than I ever thought possible, especially since he was the offspring of our greatest enemy.

However, he was nothing like his father, and I was grateful. When I first met him, I made many assumptions, but he’d proved me wrong on most counts.

He and Avra were perfect complements, resembling two puzzle pieces designed to fit together.

Seeing my sister glow with joy, enveloped in the love and attention Elias gave her, was heartwarming.

This was what I valued most about him. He would burn the world down for Avra.

He had even turned his back on his terrible father for Avra’s sake.

Even now, Elias kept a vigilant search for Ozias, one I knew he wouldn’t give up until Ozias was six feet under.

In just a short period, everything had changed dramatically. Avra’s marriage to Eli and her clever maneuvering against the asshole Ozias had led us to gain control of five territories in the sunlit region of Greece that our father once governed.

Avra had gained one through her marriage to Eli, my future marriage would secure another, and Avra had seized the remaining three after we dealt with three of the men involved in our father’s murder.

We had always understood that reclaiming what was rightfully ours would come at the cost of much bloodshed. It was a necessary price to pay to recover what we had lost.

Despite the challenges ahead, nothing could stop us now that our plan was in motion. Like an unstoppable tide, we pressed forward, determined to claim our destiny.

Avra and Eli's marriage marked the beginning. Mine to Nikolas Galanis would bring us even closer to achieving our goals. I would gain his allies, further strengthening the Vitalis family.

We could easily overcome our adversaries with all the strategies we had established. All I had to do was commit myself to a man I barely knew for the rest of my life.

Piece of cake.

As we approached the Galanis estate, my earlier excitement faded, completely replaced by nausea and a churning stomach filled with nerves.

Avra’s presence provided a soothing sense of support, filled with optimism and reassurances that a Vitalis woman could face any challenge.

It was clear that, even with our common family traits, Avra and I were entirely different.

Her years of wisdom reflected her vast encounters. Avra embraced life fully, brimming with adventures and romantic escapades. By the time we returned to Greece, and she met Elias, she was sophisticated, mature, and experienced.

That wasn’t me—not by any means.

In truth, I’d never taken a lover, never trusted enough while living in Prague.

Yet now, I'd soon share a marriage bed with a man I barely knew. It was unrealistic to think that sex wouldn’t be a part of life with Nikolas.

To what extent, I was unsure. However, to expect a man as mature and attractive as Nikolas not to have desires was beyond naive.

I was a virgin, not stupid.

Our brief, tense encounter during Cali’s rescue made a lasting impression on me, and I couldn’t help but recognize my attraction to him.

There was an intensity to his gaze, something I had never encountered before when any man looked at me.

My reaction to him prompted me to conduct my own investigation, scouring the internet and consulting several of our soldiers to gather insights about him.

Through this, I discovered that Nikolas was a formidable businessman, known for his ruthless precision in negotiations. He avoided violence until forced to engage, and then he was merciless.

This kind of calculated response commanded my respect.

It was akin to provoking a slumbering bear.

One could prod it only so much before it unleashed its fury, decimating its adversary.

In this regard, Nikolas and I mirrored each other.

It took a lot to provoke my anger, but I became fiercely relentless once someone crossed my threshold.

Avra and Cali liked to refer to it as my bubbling caldera. Once I erupted, everyone had to take cover. I wasn’t sure I was as bad as they claimed, but whatever.