Epilogue
Ares
Iadjust my watch, staring at the scene before me as if it's a dream I've somehow stumbled into. The Kastaris estate garden is transformed. Tables draped in white linen, pastel flower arrangements, and pink and gold decorations are everywhere.
It's a fucking baby shower. In my house.
If you'd told me before meeting Katerina that I'd be hosting one of these, I would have laughed.
And if you would have also added in the fact that George Zervas and Stavros Petrou would have sent some of the most expensive presents on the gift table, I may have thought you were crazy and needed help.
Yet here I stand, glass of whiskey in hand, watching my wife glow from the child she's growing inside her. Katerina sits in a tufted armchair we brought from the library—her throne for the day. The soft breeze plays with loose strands of her hair, the golden-hour light magnifying her beauty.
As a matter of fact, she's never been more beautiful than she is now, at eight months pregnant with my child.
My eyes track the movement of her hand as it absently strokes over the swell of her belly, protective, possessive. I know that feeling. I've spent every night for months with my palm spread across that same spot, feeling our child kick and roll beneath my touch.
She hasn't noticed me watching her yet. She's laughing at something Calli said, her head thrown back, exposing the elegant line of her neck.
My sister sits at Katerina's right, animated and electric as always, champagne glass waving dangerously as she finishes whatever story has them all in stitches.
Gio Bonventi's wife, Raven, leans forward to top off Katerina's glass with sparkling water, while Livia and Alina, Enzo and Marco Bonventi's wives, adjust the cushion behind Katerina's back. With all of them being mothers, they've become Katerina's guides through this new territory.
"Admiring your handiwork?" Theo appears at my shoulder, nodding toward Katerina.
"Careful," I warn, though there's no heat behind it.
He laughs, clinking his glass against mine. "Never seen you like this, brother. Domesticated."
"I'd still slit someone's throat in their sleep if necessary," I remind him, eyes never leaving Katerina.
"I believe you." Theo takes a long drink. "Ares can never lose his edge. On a brighter note, you know Dimitri, Calli, and I are going to be spoiling our niece."
"Not too much," I say automatically.
"You keep saying that. Katerina says otherwise."
I laugh. "We'll see."
My attention shifts as I spot three familiar figures approaching from the side of the garden. The Bonventi brothers – Gio, Marco, and Enzo – our most trusted allies from the Italian side of our business.
Gio reaches me first, slapping a hand on my shoulder. "The mighty Ares Kastaris, brought to his knees by a tiny female who isn't even born yet." His grin is wide, teasing.
I narrow my eyes. "Let's not forget who almost fainted when Raven told you she was pregnant."
Marco, our favorite politician, laughs. "He's got you there, brother. Though I distinctly remember hearing that you threatened to murder the doctor when Katerina had morning sickness," Marco says with a smile.
"I never threatened him," I correct, taking a sip of whiskey. "I simply explained the consequences if he couldn't help her."
I flash back to the first few months of Katerina's pregnancy. It had been hell—watching her suffer and being unable to fix it. I'd have paid any price, threatened anyone, to ease her discomfort.
Enzo leans in, "Trust me, Ares, what you're dealing with now? It's nothing. Wait until the little one is born. You think running our families is hard?" He laughs, shaking his head. "Try getting a colicky baby to sleep. Try negotiating with a toddler who's decided pants are optional."
Gio nods solemnly. "The most dangerous men in Chicago, reduced to checking under beds for monsters and arguing about bedtimes."
"At least in our business, when someone's being difficult, you can reason with them," Enzo adds with a smirk. "Can't seem to do that with a kid."
I consider this. "Jesus. What the hell do you do then?"
Gio nods over to Raven, "Have more apparently."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She didn't want to say anything on Katerina's day. She's going to tell her next week."
"You're a fucking lunatic having another," Marco says. "Though," he says, taking a drink, "we're trying also, so…"
We all start laughing.
"You all sound crazy. I'm never having kids," Theo says after taking a drink. "Too many women out there."
"Just wait. That's what we all said, and now?" Marco says, looking at the women. "We'd have it no other way."
"Speaking of the woman of the hour," Gio says.
"What are you all plotting over here?" Katerina's voice cuts through our conversation as she approaches, one hand supporting her lower back, the other resting over her belly.
My pulse quickens at the sight of her. Even if she feels like she's going to explode, she still moves with a grace that captivates me. And I like the way her hair falls in waves around her shoulders, catching the afternoon light.
"Mrs. Kastaris," Marco says, bowing his head slightly. "We were just telling your husband what he's in for."
Katerina raises an eyebrow. "And what exactly is he in for?"
"Sleepless nights," Enzo says.
"Complete loss of control," Gio adds.
"What they mean is, the utter destruction of his fearsome reputation," Marco finishes with a grin.
Katerina laughs. "Bold of you to assume he has any control now." Her eyes find mine, filled with that particular challenge that's been driving me wild since the day we met.
I close the distance between us, sliding an arm around her waist and drawing her against my side. Her body fits perfectly against mine, even with the rounded belly between us. I press my lips to her temple, inhaling the scent of her.
My hand slides down to rest on her stomach. I feel it then—a strong kick against my palm. "She's already stubborn," I say.
Katerina covers my hand with hers, her wedding ring catching the light. "Just like her father," she replies.
Everyone laughs, and I shoot my brother a look.
"I think she knows your voice," Katerina says, looking down at where our hands rest together.
"Of course she does," I say. "She knows I'm her father."
"I hope she has your eyes," Katerina says.
I lean down, pressing my lips to hers in a brief but possessive kiss. "I hope she has everything of yours," I murmur against her mouth.
Gio clears his throat. "And on that note, I think we'll leave you two alone."
The Bonventi brothers and Theo excuse themselves, moving toward the bar set up on the far side of the garden.
I keep Katerina close. "How are you feeling?" I ask, scanning her face for any sign of discomfort or fatigue.
"I'm fine, Ares," she says, rolling her eyes. "You don't need to ask me every five minutes."
"I'll ask as often as I want," I counter. "You're carrying my child."
"Our child, mister," she corrects, a flash of that familiar fire in her eyes. "And yes, I know that makes me your most valuable possession right now, but—"
"Not a possession," I interrupt. "My world, Katerina. My heart. My future. My everything."
"Gosh," she says, playfully hitting my chest. "When did the fearsome Ares become such a romantic?"
"When a woman saw the man instead of the monster." I press my lips to her forehead, lingering there.
Katerina laughs. "The monster is still there," she says, smiling. "I just happen to love him too."
Another kick from our daughter, stronger this time. Katerina winces slightly.
"She definitely has your temper," she says, rubbing the spot where our daughter just made her presence known.
"And your timing," I counter.
We stand there together, watching our guests mingle in our garden, the setting sun casting everything in a golden glow. I never imagined this life—never thought I deserved it.
Katerina shifts against me, and I tighten my hold.
"I love you," I say against her hair, words I rarely voiced before her.
She turns in my arms, rising on tiptoes to brush her lips against mine. "I love you too," she says.
We stand for a moment, taking in the party.
"Sorry to interrupt this absolutely charming moment," Calli appears beside us, champagne flute in hand, "but it's time to steal the mother-to-be." She hooks her arm through Katerina's, flashing her most dazzling smile. "We have games to play, presents to open, and men to mock in their absence."
"Is that really necessary?" I ask, not wanting to let Katerina go.
Calli rolls her eyes dramatically. "It's tradition, brother dearest. Besides," she leans in, "I have it on good authority that I'm a shoo-in to win some prizes, so we gotta go," Calli says with a wink. "Now, if you'll excuse us."
Katerina gives me an apologetic smile as my sister drags her away. "Save me if I'm not back in an hour," she calls over her shoulder.
I watch them go, and I can't help but laugh at Katerina's slow pace and Calli chattering animatedly beside her.
"Oh God, are you whipped," says a voice behind me.
I don't need to turn to know it's Dimitri. "Careful, brother, or you'll find a woman too."
"Me? Maybe for the night," Dimitri says with a smile. "But a woman can't hold me down."
I'm about to respond when I notice Theo approaching, phone in hand, expression stern. I know that look. It's the look that means blood will be spilled.
Dimitri notices it too. "What's wrong?"
Theo reaches us, sliding his phone into his pocket. His jaw is tight, shoulders tense. "Just got off a call with our contact in Athens," he says, voice low.
"And?" I prompt, already figuring out how to keep whatever this is away from Katerina and my unborn child.
"I'm flying out tomorrow," Theo says.
"What?" I say, shocked.
Theo looks around. "I've been thinking about some things these past few months."
"What things?" Dimitri asks.
"About what Katerina heard when Sebastian had her.
About him saying, 'I shouldn't have trusted him' and 'he lied.
'" Theo's eyes lock on mine. "There's more, stuff I'm not ready to lay out just yet, but…
" He pauses, choosing his words carefully.
"I don't think the Athenian Warriors were the endgame.
Something deeper has been moving this whole time.
The shooting. The kidnapping. Even Dad's death.
Someone's been pulling strings behind the scenes, feeding low level men like Sebastian lies. Setting them up to take the fall."
His voice drops even lower. "This isn't just about power. It's personal. And whoever's been bankrolling these gangs? They're not done yet. But I'm going to find them."
"Fuck." Dimitri exhales sharply. "You think someone else is pulling strings?"
"I know someone is," Theo confirms. "And I think they've been doing it for a long time. I think Dad's murder was part of a long strategy we haven't seen the outcome of yet. I think it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. And I think our family is going to be a main target."
I stare at my brother, processing his words. If what he's saying is true—if Sebastian Makris was just a pawn, and they kidnapped Katerina on behalf of someone else—then the danger isn't over. It never was.
I glance over at Katerina.
"What have you found?" I ask Theo, tension coiling in my gut.
"Financial trails that don't add up. Connections that shouldn't exist." Theo shakes his head. "It's not enough yet, but it's pointing somewhere. To someone."
"Who?" Dimitri demands.
"I don't know yet," Theo admits. "That's why I need to go to Athens. Follow the trail while it's hot."
"I should go with you," I say. “I’m the don.”
"No," Theo says firmly, nodding toward Katerina.
"Your place is here. With them. If I'm right—if there's someone else out there with a vendetta against us—you need to be here to protect your family.
" His expression softens slightly. "Let me do this, Ares.
Let me find the truth, bring it to you, and you can decide what we do with it. "
I want to argue. I want to be the one to hunt down whoever might threaten what's mine. But Theo's right—I can't leave Katerina and our daughter unprotected.
"Fine," I concede.
"I should go," Dimitri interjects. "Two of us is better than one."
"No," I say firmly. "If Theo's right, I need you here. We don't split our forces any more than necessary."
Dimitri doesn't look happy, but he nods. "The fucking second you need backup—" he says to Theo.
"I'll call," Theo promises.
"How long before you know what you're after?"
"A week, maybe two," Theo says. "Depends on what I find."
"And if you're wrong?" Dimitri asks.
Theo's mouth quirks up in a humorless smile. "Then I'm the paranoid brother who ruined a perfectly good baby shower with conspiracy theories." He grows serious again. "But I'm not wrong."
I believe him. Theo's instincts have always been sharp. If he senses something, it's there.
"Okay, we'll keep this between us for now," I decide. "No reason to worry Katerina or Calli until we know more."
My brothers nod in agreement.
"Especially today," Theo adds, glancing toward the cluster of women. "Let her have this."
If someone is targeting my family—if my father's murder was just the beginning—then God help them. Because I will burn this world to ash before I let anyone destroy what I have.
"Find them," I tell Theo, my voice deadly calm.
"I'll find them," Theo promises. "And then we'll finish it. Together."
He clasps my shoulder, and Dimitri does the same on the other side. Three brothers, bound by blood and loyalty, standing against whatever shadow is still lurking out there.
I look back at Katerina, trying to memorize the curve of her smile, the way the light catches in her hair. Trying to burn this moment of peace into my memory.
Because peace, in our world, never lasts.