Chapter 31 Calli
CALLI
My fingers tap against the granite kitchen counter as I check my phone for the tenth time in five minutes. Keira promised they'd be here by now.
Ugh, where the hell are they?
My stomach churns with a mixture of nerves and morning sickness that hasn't quite decided to leave me alone yet.
The sound of a car engine outside snaps my attention to the window. A sleek black Escalade pulls up the driveway of my little house on the Kastaris estate.
Finally.
I swing open the front door before they've even killed the engine. Keira jumps out of the passenger side, looking radiant in her ripped jeans and leather jacket, her fire-red hair tied back in a messy bun.
I then watch as Declan emerges from the driver's side.
Standing six-foot-four, his black hair is tousled from the wind.
He's wearing dark jeans, boots, and a simple black T-shirt that shows off the lean muscle and broad shoulders.
He looks more like a fighter than a mafia heir, mainly because he is one.
Amateur boxing, mostly for fun. But I've seen him take down a guy twice his size in three moves.
As a matter of fact, it was him who I thought about when I wanted to learn how to defend myself, and even though I haven't done much training since all this went down, it's nice to know I could at least throw a few punches.
"Miss me?" Keira says, hugging me.
"Of course," I say. "You always look so pretty, you know."
She smiles and walks in. I turn to Declan.
"Long time no see, troublemaker," he says, looking down at me with his green eyes. I hug him and then turn to Keira.
"You're late," I say, crossing my arms.
"Yeah, well, someone insisted on stopping for coffee." Keira shoots a glare at her brother.
"To be fair," he says, looking at me, "the coffee maker on our plane broke, so…" He trails off and shrugs. "Anyway, you look tired."
"Gee, thanks. Always the charmer."
"Don't be an ass, Dec," Keira says, coming up to me and pulling me away from her brother. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine." I lie.
"Bullshit, but I get it," she says, sitting on the couch with me.
"Okay, so I have something to tell you guys," I say, looking at both of them.
Declan drops into the armchair across from us, his long legs sprawling out. "I'm ready."
"Niko spoke to his father," I say, blurting it out. "I hadn't told you yet, but he has."
Keira sits up straighter. "And?"
"And Stavros invited us to a gala." The words rush out.
Declan raises an eyebrow. "I'm so happy for you that you got invited to a party, Cal. Congratulations."
I roll my eyes and Keira shoots her brother her famous I'll end you look.
Keira's eyes land back on me. "What exactly is this gala?"
I take a deep breath, my heart racing. "Stavros is hosting. It's a big event, on an island in Greece. It's in one week."
Declan leans forward. "Okay… and?"
"And this is it. This is our chance." I lean forward, my voice dropping as if someone might overhear us. "It's the perfect time."
"Perfect for what?" Declan asks.
I smile. "To strike."
Keira frowns. "Okay, when you say strike, what do you mean?"
I stand and begin pacing, unable to contain the nervous energy coursing through me. The hardwood floor creaks under my feet as I move from the fireplace to the window and back.
"I've thought about this every which way," I say, the words tumbling out faster now. "From every possible angle. And there's only one solution that guarantees everyone I love stays safe."
"What?" Keira says, following me with her eyes.
I stop pacing and face them both.
"I'm going to kill Stavros."
They both stay silent and Keira's mouth falls open in shock.
Declan lets out a low whistle. "Shit, Calli. You're fucking crazy. Maybe it's pregnancy hormones clouding your judgment. I mean, that's a thing, right? You know, the baby taking things from you."
"I don't, I don't know," I say, confused. "Maybe? But no, it's not that. I'm more sure of this than I've ever been of anything before."
Keira recovers. "I know I said you needed to fight, but Stavros? At a gala? Calli, that's—"
"The only way." I cut her off, my voice steady despite the terror clawing at my chest. "We're running out of time.
" I sink into the armchair across from them.
"Ares and Theo grow more restless with each day.
They're planning to attack him during some shipment thing next month.
" I wrap my arms around myself, feeling vulnerable.
"My only opportunity between now and then is the gala.
If I wait…" I pause, the possibilities too terrible to voice.
"I don't even want to think about that."
I can't finish because I can't bear to think about what happens if I wait. My brothers, dead in some warehouse shootout. Niko, caught in the crossfire of a war he never asked for. Our baby, growing up without a father, without their uncles.
Keira leans forward. "But there will be security everywhere and witnesses?"
I shrug, my eyes getting watery. "I know, but this is it. So," I pause and take a deep breath, "will you help me kill him?"
Keira doesn't even hesitate. "Yes."
Declan scoffs, shaking his head. "Jesus Christ."
Keira whips her head to glare at him. "Don't be a bitch. You scared?"
"No." Declan's voice hardens. "But no offense, Calli, I love you, but you're not a killer. Killing changes you. You don't get to come back from that." He stands, his full height making the room feel even smaller. "And you're talking about taking down a pretty powerful motherfucker."
He rubs his face and then gestures vaguely with his hand. "I mean, if Ares was in here, shit any of your brothers, and they said this, then yes, 100% I wouldn't have any reservations. But this, this could end you, Calli."
His words cut deep. Not because they're mean, but because there is some undeniable truth to them. This isn't me, but I'm learning that sometimes in life, to protect the ones you love, that's exactly the kind of person you need to become.
Maybe I'm not a killer, yet…
"I understand what you're saying. But first, I have an idea, and second, I don't have a choice, Declan."
I stand up, moving closer to him, and look up into those green eyes that have watched me grow up, that have seen me at my strongest and my weakest, just like his sister.
"If I don't do this, and I think I can do it risk-free, then I take an even bigger risk of losing my brothers. And I am NOT going to risk that over what I've done." My voice breaks on the last words. "So please, will you help me?"
For a long moment, Declan just stares at me. I can see the war playing out across his features, logic battling with fear.
"Fuck, Calli," he says and exhales a long breath. "Okay. What did you have in mind?"
Relief floods through me so suddenly I nearly collapse. Instead, I look at both of them.
"Thank you," I say fiercely. "Thank you both."
Keira smiles. "We're family. This is what family does."
"Even when family is being absolutely crazy, I just want to add," Declan says, but there's fondness in his voice.
I wipe my eyes quickly. No time for tears now. Not when we have work to do.