Chapter 10 Ares
ARES
My driver pulls into my driveway, and my phone buzzes in my pocket. Another message from Theo:
Where the fuck are you? We've been waiting for an hour.
I don't bother responding. Let him wait. The meeting with the Bonventis ran longer than expected, and I'm in no mood for Theo's impatience. Whatever news he has can wait another five minutes.
I walk inside, shrug off my coat, and loosen my tie, scanning the foyer for signs of life. That's when I notice Derek emerging from the east wing, clipboard in hand, checking off something on his list.
"Derek," I call out, my voice echoing slightly in the marble entryway.
He turns immediately, shoulders straightening. "Mr. Kastaris, welcome home. Your brothers are waiting in your office."
"Yes, I know. Thanks," I say, walking toward him. "Before I deal with them, I need something taken care of."
Derek nods, immediately attentive. He's one of the few people in this house I don't have to explain things to twice.
"My wife," I begin, the title still feeling strange on my tongue. "I've noticed she gets cold easily."
Derek's face remains professionally neutral, but I detect a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He wouldn't expect me to notice such a detail—or care.
"I want a blanket added to all the cars," I continue. "And every room she goes into here in the house. Especially the sitting room overlooking the garden and the library. Make sure they're wool."
"Of course, sir. I'll see to it immediately," Derek says, making a note on his clipboard.
"And Derek."
He looks up, waiting.
"Don't make it obvious."
I don't need her thinking I'm monitoring her every move, even if that's exactly what I'm doing. The thought of her discomfort shouldn't bother me this much. She's a business arrangement, a piece to an alliance. Nothing more.
"Understood, sir. Anything else?"
I consider mentioning her preference for tea over coffee in the morning, or other small details I've somehow collected without meaning to.
"No. Just the blankets."
Derek nods and slips away. As I head toward my office, I notice my mind is elsewhere—on Theo's urgent message, on the Bonventi deal I'm working on, and, annoyingly, on Katerina.
The door to my office comes into view, and I push thoughts of Katerina away. Business now.
I walk through the door and find Theo pacing near the windows, phone to his ear. Dimitri sprawls in one of the leather chairs, feet up on my table, toying with a cigar lighter. Both look up when I enter.
"Finally," Theo says, ending his call. "We've been waiting for over an hour."
"My meeting ran late," I say, walking to my desk and taking a seat. "So, what's this news that couldn't wait?"
Theo and Dimitri exchange a look—never a good sign. When my brothers agree on something, it usually means trouble.
"We found something," Theo says, his voice dropping. He pulls out his phone, taps the screen a few times, and slides it across the desk to me.
I look down at the image. It's a surveillance photo of our father standing beside a man I don't recognize, both of them shaking hands outside what appears to be a warehouse. The timestamp shows it was taken two days before my father was killed.
"Do we know who he is?" I ask, tapping the unknown man's face.
Theo shakes his head. "No. We're still working on it. But what we do know is—" he leans forward, pointing to the image, "that warehouse belongs to the Zervas family."
The name hits like ice water in my veins. I keep my expression neutral, but my mind accelerates.
"And?" I press.
"We believe they've been making calculated moves on our territory in Greece," Theo continues. "Moves that went unnoticed until they took over our port after father's death."
Dimitri leans forward. "There's more. My contact in Kalamata says this man—" he points toward the phone, "—matches the description of someone seen shortly after Dad's murder."
I set the phone down carefully. "Someone seen where, exactly?"
"Leaving the area they found Dad. Minutes before our men found his body."
The room falls silent, and I think over everything. I can't be reckless. Can't let emotions override the chess game we're constantly playing—Dad taught me that.
"It's not enough," I say finally.
"What?" Theo's voice sharpens. "Ares, this is the first solid lead we've had in weeks."
"I said it's not enough." I rise from my chair. "I need undeniable proof before I start a war with the Zervas family. Shit, half the families in Greece will get involved somehow if we attack—and not all of them on our side."
"But they killed our father," Dimitri hisses.
"Probably," I concede. "But 'probably' doesn't justify what will happen if we move against them without certainty. Come on, we can't be too reactive."
"Jesus, Ares," Theo steps forward, "we can't let anyone get away with what happened."
"We won't. I promise you, brother. We'll send every motherfucker involved in Dad's death to Hades, but we won't do it looking like we're not calculated or in control."
"Okay, so what do you think we should do with what we've got?" Theo asks, raising his tone. "Because clearly, you don't think the same as us."
I stare at him for a moment, thinking. Anyone besides my brother and they'd be missing a finger right about now.
"Dimitri," I say, decision made. "Start talking to our local guys in Greece.
I don't want the word of one guy thinking he saw whoever's in the picture—I want ten, twenty men all saying they know for sure.
Fly out if necessary. I want to know what the word on the street is among other families, too. Who saw what, who knows what."
Dimitri nods. "I'll be in Kalamata within thirty-six hours."
"Theo, continue forward with your plans. If we get enough on Zervas, I want to know what the best ways are to destroy them. And for the love of God, do this in the dark—do not act. And I mean it—do nothing until we have concrete evidence."
Just as Theo is about to respond, the door to my office swings open without warning.
Calli walks in.
"Well, don't you three look serious," she says, glancing between us with a deceptive smile on her face. "What's got everyone playing war games this early in the day?"
The three of us exchange glances. My brothers look to me for guidance.
"Nothing worth discussion yet," I reply smoothly. "Just rumors for now." I hand Theo back his phone. "Anyway, how can we help our darling baby sister?"
Calli crosses her arms, her smile fading. "Well, not me—but your wife. Did you really tell Chris to follow Katerina around the house too? Like, come on?"
Dimitri lets out a laugh. "Ares, come on, bro. It's your house."
"I'm protecting her," I say in defense.
"From what?" Calli challenges. "Dust? Your staff? She's literally surrounded by people who've been loyal to this family for years."
She has a point, though I'm not admitting it now. Having Chris tail Katerina through the house is excessive. But the thought of her wandering unprotected, sets me on edge.
"It's just a precaution," I say.
"It really feels more like imprisonment to me," Calli fires back. "She's not stupid enough to try anything again, and you know it."
"I'm surprised you're taking such a liking to her, Calli," Theo says.
"Women need to stick together, especially in this house. And besides, she doesn't seem like she's too afraid of any of you—and I like that."
"Ha. Ha." Theo says.
"Fine," I say, interrupting them and pulling out my phone. I type a quick message to Chris: Only follow her if she leaves the house. Otherwise, maintain perimeter security.
I hold up the screen so Calli can read it. "There," I say. "Happy?"
She gives me a satisfied nod. "Yes. Your wife will be."
"Good. Now I've got some things to do."
Calli turns to leave, and Dimitri follows. Once they are gone, only Theo and I remain.
"You're different with her," he says finally.
I don't pretend to misunderstand. "I don't know what you mean."
"The drawing supplies. Now easing on security. This isn't like you."
I hadn't realized he'd noticed anything I'd been doing. "It's strategy," I say. "She's more useful content than rebellious."
Theo makes a noncommittal sound. "Just remember why she's here, Ares. Alliance. Strategy. Business."
I look at him sharply. "I don't need reminding."
"Good," he says and walks toward the door, then stops and turns back. "Because if the Zervas family is behind Dad's death, we'll need to be focused. All of us."
Theo leaves without another word, but his warning lingers.
I shake my head and dive into my work, going over accounts from our businesses that need my signature. An hour or two goes by—I'm not sure—and I'm suddenly pulled out of my thoughts by a loud alarm.
My smoke detectors.
Shit, it's a fire.