Chapter 8 Ares
ARES
Iguide Katerina into the car, watching her movements carefully. She doesn't resist, doesn't try to run. She just slides into the passenger seat with that same vacant look she's been wearing since I found her by the water.
But I know something else is going on because when I was watching her gallivant around the city, she had a sparkle in her eye. There's more light in her soul than she wants to show me, and now, I'm determined to find out more.
The drive back is silent. I keep glancing over, expecting her to say something—to argue, to explain herself. But she just stares out the window, watching the city lights blur past.
By the time we pull up to the estate gates, her head is leaning against the window, eyes closed. The security booth light illuminates her face as we pass through, and I catch a glimpse of the guard who let her out—Niko. He straightens when he sees my car. Good. He should be fucking nervous.
"We'll discuss this later," I say as I park the car. Katerina doesn't respond.
I escort her upstairs, one hand on the small of her back. She doesn't lean into me, doesn't pull away either—just lets herself be steered through the house and up the stairs. By the time we reach our bedroom, I can tell she's exhausted.
"Get some rest," I tell her. "I'll be back later." I'm too focused to sleep. I've got to take care of something.
She nods, already moving toward the bed, not bothering to change out of her clothes. I watch her for a moment as she curls onto her side, facing away from me. Then I slip out and shut the door.
My head of security, Alex, and Theo are already waiting in the corridor.
"Bring Niko to me," I say to Alex quietly. "The one at the front gate."
"What did he do?" Theo asks, though he already knows. My brother misses nothing.
"He let my wife drive off the property unprotected." My voice is stern, but as Theo shakes his head in disbelief, I can tell he knows the rage simmering beneath.
"I'll get him, sir," Alex nods, already turning to leave.
"Bring him to me in the garage. Two minutes."
"Ah, shit. Really, Ares?" Theo asks.
I just give my brother a look and start walking.
I head downstairs, and by the time I reach the garage, I've had enough time to consider every possible explanation Niko might offer—and to dismiss them all.
The door opens. Two of my men guide Niko inside, their hands firm on his shoulders. He's sweating already, eyes darting around the concrete space.
"Sir, I—"
I don't let him finish. My hand whips across his face with enough force to snap his head sideways.
"You let my wife leave the property alone." It's not a question. A statement of fact.
He touches his reddening cheek, his fingers trembling. "She said you gave her permission. She was in your car, and—"
"Did I speak to you directly? Did I call you personally and tell you she could go?" I step closer, forcing him to crane his neck to meet my gaze.
He swallows hard. "No, sir."
"So you took the word of someone you barely know over direct orders from me." Again, not a question.
Sweat beads on his forehead. "She's your wife—"
"Yes," I cut in, my voice dropping lower. "She's my wife, and she must be protected." I take another step forward, close enough that he flinches. "And you failed in that duty."
I nod to my men. They move smoothly, one sweeping Niko's legs out from under him, the other forcing him down onto his knees. He doesn't resist—he knows better.
"Do you understand the position my family is in right now, Niko?" I ask, circling behind him. "Do you know the threats we face?" I pause beside him, looking down at his bowed head. "Or are you too fucking stupid to grasp basic security protocols?"
"I'm sorry, sir," he whispers hoarsely. "It won't happen again."
"You're right." I reach inside my jacket, drawing my gun. "It won't."
His breathing quickens.
"I need men I can trust. Men who follow orders." I press the barrel against the back of his head. He starts shaking. "Men who protect my family."
"Please, sir," he begs. "I'll make sure to protect your family."
I press the gun harder against his skull. "You just proved you can't be trusted to protect them."
I pull the trigger.
The shot is loud in the enclosed space. Niko's body jerks forward, then slumps to the concrete. Blood pools beneath him, spreading in a dark circle.
I tuck the pistol back into my jacket, smoothing the fabric. "Clean this up," I tell my men.
They nod, already moving forward to wrap the body.
"And Alex, find someone to replace him at the gate," I add, brushing an invisible speck of dust from my sleeve. "Someone who understands what happens when they put my family in jeopardy."
"Yes, sir," Alex says.
I walk back into the house, leaving them to their work. The night air has turned cold, and I still have business to attend to.
Upstairs, I pause outside our bedroom door, listening. Silence. I push it open quietly.
Katerina is curled on her side, still fully dressed, her breathing deep and even. She looks softer in sleep.
I approach the bed silently, lifting a blanket from the nearby chair. She doesn't move as I cover her. My hand hovers over her face for a moment, wanting to brush the hair away, but I pull back without touching her.
I close the door quietly behind me and head down to my office. Sleep won't come for me, not with adrenaline still coursing through my veins.
The office is dark when I enter. I don't turn on the overhead lights, only the small lamp on my desk. The whiskey decanter catches the light, amber liquid glowing in the glass. I pour myself two fingers, then add a third.
The alcohol burns on the way down, a welcome distraction from the thoughts swirling in my head. I hadn't planned on killing anyone tonight, but Niko's failure couldn't go unpunished. Not when the stakes are this high.
I sit and think about what may come, what I may have to do, and in that moment, I can only think of one thing I know for sure—the next person who puts Katerina in danger won't get the mercy of a quick death.
That, I can guarantee.