
Legacy (Sisters of Wrath #1)
Chapter 1
One
A vra
No more waiting…
I longed to return to the land of my birth, the home my sisters and I had fled like thieves in the night. It was time to reclaim our rightful place at the seat of our family’s power, and none of those who had wronged us would see it coming.
The mere thought of setting foot on Greek soil once again filled me with a rush of emotions, from anticipation and excitement to nervousness. But I couldn’t afford to let impatience rule me. The only way to achieve our ultimate goal was to plan and execute each and every step carefully.
Despite the numerous tasks on my agenda, I knew that now was the time to set things in motion for the future we deserved. I had waited and watched for fifteen years, biding my time to finally serve justice to all who had betrayed us.
And now, as the last grains of sand trickled through the hourglass, I knew that the Vitalis family was ready for revenge.
But first, I needed to meet with the man who had sacrificed everything to keep us alive. I wanted to keep him in the loop about our plans out of respect for his unwavering loyalty and protection.
As I approached a busy intersection near Prague’s old town, I brushed a stray hair from my forehead and paused to observe the bustling morning traffic. After waiting for a break in the cars, I crossed the street and headed toward one of my favorite cafes. I selected a table with a strategic view of anyone who approached the establishment. The server greeted me with a nod and served me my preferred morning brew without asking.
I had ten minutes until my formidable companion arrived. Inhaling deep, I relaxed and took in the sights around me. As pedestrians bustled by on their daily tasks, they would never suspect that the woman sitting in front of them was an impostor—someone who had learned their language at a young age and seamlessly blended into their society.
But it was all for my sisters, for the legacy that deserved better. I would do anything for them, even if it meant becoming a master of deception and shedding blood to bring justice for everything the bastards took from us on that fateful night.
As the server set my coffee down on the table, I welcomed the warmth spreading through my fingers. In my youth, revenge had consumed my thoughts and clouded my judgment. But with time, I learned that rash actions only led to more chaos. And so, I waited patiently for the right moment to strike. Finally, it was upon us.
A surge of power and determination flowed through my veins. I had the means to retaliate against those who had ruthlessly ruined my life and my family. As I sat in the quaint section of the bustling café, sipping on freshly refilled coffee, I saw Vik Remes walk confidently down the sidewalk. Seeing him only solidified my resolve and the path I knew I must take.
As he drew closer, a sinking feeling settled in my gut. Speaking with him was the first step in executing my plan, and his support would make things significantly easier. However, I wasn’t seeking his approval or validation. No one was the boss of me, and no one ever would be.
Despite this fact, out of respect for our history together, I felt it necessary to consult with Vik before making any major decisions that would impact our lives. A small smile tugged at my lips as he approached my table with his signature powerful stride.
Heads turned to catch a glimpse of the tall and distinguished man passing by. Younger women peered over their sunglasses while older ladies did double-takes, admiring his confidence and commanding presence. Vik wasn’t flashy, but he exuded an aura of strength and cunning that was hard to ignore. It was a lesson he had drilled into me from the very beginning: true power didn’t need to be flaunted or announced. It was something that spoke for itself through subtle gestures and mannerisms.
Under the warm sun, Vik’s tan skin seemed to glow under the warm sun as he homed in on my face and sat across from me at the bistro table. The slight tightening of his jaw indicated that he hadn’t anticipated my early arrival. He preferred others to feel as if they were the ones to arrive late in order to maintain an upper hand in any situation.
Vik prided himself on knowing me inside and out, but little did he know I held secrets just like him. It was yet another lesson he had taught me—never reveal your full hand and always keep a few cards hidden up your sleeve.
As he casually smoothed back his thick salt-and-pepper hair, his piercing gray eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
He sensed something was up, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. After all, this was our usual meeting spot, and my request for a meeting wasn’t unusual. Nevertheless, he remained vigilant as he settled into his seat across from me.
“Morning, Avra,” he greeted in his no-nonsense manner. “What’s this about?”
Straight to the point, as always. Vik had little tolerance for beating around the bush, and impatience was a defining aspect of his personality.
I hesitated before speaking, knowing Vik wouldn’t like what I said. He scanned our surroundings again, even though I had already done so myself.
But considering who we were and what we were hiding from, being cautious was second nature to us—our time in Prague with fake identities provided by Vik had been about staying safe.
But now I was done hiding. The fire inside me burned too bright for that. It was time for justice and taking back what was rightfully ours.
And so, without further hesitation, I began the conversation with a punch: “I’ve found evidence that my parents’ deaths were not accidental but a planned assassination.”
“This isn’t news,” Vik replied calmly. “We’ve suspected this since we came here.”
“But now I have proof.”
While living in Prague with my sisters and Vik for years, this desire to learn the truth had burned within me. The memories of that night never faded—the chaos, panic, and fear still haunted me to this day.
At fifteen years old, I’d seen through the deception of adults and remembered how our aunt, Theia Cloe, had forced us out of our home that night. She claimed it was for our protection, but something didn’t add up. Why hadn’t she come with us if she truly wanted us to be safe? How had she known we were in danger? It wasn’t until I asked her these questions that she slapped me and told me to do as she said. That was when I knew she was involved and vowed to one day see her downfall.
“What proof?” Vik asked, still maintaining his calm and collected demeanor.
He rarely showed any emotion, always trying to teach us how to keep our vulnerabilities in check.
Suppressing the anger that boiled within me whenever I thought of Theia Cloe and her use of Vik’s methods, I continued with my mission.
“My sources have uncovered that dear Theia Cloe was sleeping with Ozias Xenos.” I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at Vik’s barely noticeable reaction, a slight tightening of his lips.
“It’s interesting how the man who murdered my mother was also heavily involved in my father’s assassination.”
“What evidence do you have? Multiple people shot your father in the middle of the city,” he reminded me, not arguing but simply stating the facts.
I nodded. “The money trail. It all leads back to Ozias. He orchestrated it all. And my sources have also revealed that others were involved in this plot—those responsible for dividing up my family’s territory. Their soldiers carried out the hit on my father.”
Vik remained quiet, taking in my words. I knew he had heard every word—he never missed a beat.
After a few moments of contemplation, he leaned forward in his seat and placed his hands firmly on the table. Once again, he scanned our surroundings, asking, “Where did you get this information?”
“From my sources in America,” I replied confidently.
I didn’t need to remind him that the Vitalis family had cousins worldwide, including in Boston.
Our distant relatives held tight to values of honor and family loyalty, especially regarding Papa, my sisters, and me.
They never accepted the official story surrounding our father’s death or our sudden disappearance from Greece. Over the last ten years, they had discreetly conducted their own investigations, determined to uncover the truth.
In addition, they kept a lock on all things financially tied tothe family, making sure to keep it out of the hands of those who’d stolen the Vitalis territory.
When I had reached out to them for help, they welcomed me and my sisters back into the fold with open arms and generously shared all the information they had gathered.
There were no malicious intentions in keeping this from Vik. However, I knew that regaining control of my life meant making my own decisions.
Nothing would stop me from taking my seat as the head of the region and destroying my enemies.
Vik hummed a slight noise, shook his head, picked up the coffee set in front of him, and leaned back in his chair.
As Papa’s trusted second for years, Vik was well aware of the inner workings of Papa’s empire, including the many Vitalis sources worldwide. He knew that most of them were family in one way or another. He would narrow down those working with me based on the clue I’d given him about Boston.
As he sipped his coffee and contemplated the information I had shared with him, I could see his mind working through the facts. He had undoubtedly considered reaching out to our relatives over the past decade but had prioritized keeping my sisters and me safe above all else.
He sighed heavily and gave me a serious look. “Your plans…” he began.
I lifted my chin, daring him to disagree with me. He knew my desire to return home and take back what was rightfully ours.
“I worry about them,” he confessed. “I am concerned for your safety.”
As you’ve always been. I exhaled and smiled softly. Vik made it his life mission to ensure the safety of my sisters and me. With lectures and lessons about strategizing. Through countless hours of defense and fighting training. And during all the meetings about starting a new financial security system here, away from Greece. Safety was Vik’s goal, and I respected him for it.
Nothing would fill the hole in my heart from losing my parents. No one could ever replace my father, but I hoped Vik would always know how much he meant to me and my sisters.
He was a friend, a hero, an uncle, and a surrogate parent when we needed someone to look after us. He wanted to protect me and my sisters. It was his nature, having filled that role for so long, but he was no longer in charge of me in that way. He had to step back from father figure to adviser.
At the time of our parents’ deaths, he was only in his late thirties and at the height of his career and wealth. But he willingly gave it all up to protect us. In the blink of an eye, he sacrificed everything to smuggle us out of Greece and create new lives for us with new identities.
Without Vik’s bravery and sacrifice, we would not have survived. He truly was our savior, and I hoped he knew how much we appreciated everything he had done for us.
We had escaped to Prague, our lives now shrouded in secrecy and deceit. It was Vik who orchestrated our disappearance, allowing the world to believe that all four of us had perished during the chaos following Papa’s assassination. Thanks to the new identities and lifestyles that Vik meticulously designed, Layana, Calista, and I were able to begin afresh.
But despite his efforts, Vik carried a heavy burden of guilt for not being there when we needed him most. He grieved the loss of our parents, and it pained him to see us struggle without them. Yet, it wasn’t his fault. He was our protector and provider.
Vik’s lips pressed together in a somber line as he spoke. “You deserve so much better than what you have experienced. Layana and Calista too.”
I could sense the weight of his remorse, but I couldn’t bring myself to respond. Emotions were not something we openly expressed with each other—it was a survival tactic we’d learned from years of living on the run.
“Have your sisters agreed to your plan?” Vik asked after a moment of silence.
A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “Yes. They want justice just as much as I do.”
“I have no doubt,” he replied in a deep voice.
“We want revenge for it all,” I declared firmly, my voice rising slightly with each word. “From my aunt to the man who murdered Mama and everyone involved in Papa’s assassination. We will make them pay for destroying our family.”
Vik’s brows furrowed in concern as he asked, “Are they prepared? ”
“They are,” I replied confidently. “They understand the sacrifices required to achieve justice. Our days of living in fear and hiding are over.”
There was no other choice. We either took action or lived with a cloud of dread over our heads for the rest of our lives. And what kind of existence was that?
Vik nodded, sensing the determination in my words. “Can I assume you plan to do this with or without my approval?”
“I’m not here to ask for permission,” I smirked, lifting a challenging brow.
He let out a resigned sigh. “I’ll prepare our men to await your orders.”
A thrill of anticipation raced through me at his words.
These were the loyalists who never forgot and always believed in honor and duty to the Vitalis family. They were stationed throughout Greece, ready to act on my signal.
Over the years, Vik had kept them close, using them as our eyes and ears in different parts of Greece. When the coup had occurred, they had hidden in plain sight while I disappeared with my sisters. But Vik ensured we always had a small team available to protect us. Over time, he expanded that group into a larger force, but it wasn’t enough for what I had planned.
It was time to mobilize.
Vik pulled out his phone and scanned the surroundings until he locked gazes with one of my security guards. A silent conversation passed between them, and I couldn’t help but shake my head at Vik’s need to protect us constantly .
“I suspected this day would come sooner rather than later,” he said in a deadpan tone that brought a smile to my lips. “You were never one to sit idly by once you set your mind on something.”
“What have you been doing to prepare?” I asked curiously.
He turned his phone toward me, showing me its screen. “I’ve been watching properties suitable for purchase in Patras.”
I took the device and quickly skimmed over the listing details and images until I found one property in particular that was everything I could hope for—four bedrooms, luxurious, and conveniently located near the city center.
“This is perfect,” I said, pointing to it. “Buy it.”
“Under your name?” Vik raised a questioning brow, his worry for my plan evident.
I shook my head. “No. I want to make it as difficult as possible for anyone in Patras to learn that the Vitalis sisters are still alive and well.”
“This is smart. The element of surprise keeps things in our favor.”
The timing was critical.
In a month, my sisters and I would return to the city of our birth. Even if it wasn’t to the estate we’d left under the cover of the night, it was on Vitalis territory.
I couldn’t wait to see their faces.
Hell hath no fury like the Vitalis sisters seeking their revenge.