"You okay?" Niko asks. "You've been quiet lately."
I force a smile and lean back into him, trying to memorize the feeling of his arms around me. After tonight, everything changes. Either I succeed and we have a future together, or I fail and destroy us both.
"Just nerves about meeting your dad, pretending not to know what I know, the baby, the fact my brothers are plotting against him." I shrug. "Pick one."
His arms tighten around me, and I feel him nod. "I get it. This whole situation is fucked."
We stand there for a moment, watching the boats in the harbor below. A group of people laughs as they board a water taxi, their voices carrying on the wind.
"Come sit down on the bed with me," he says, taking my hand. "I want to talk to you about something. I was going to wait until after the event, but..."
We walk to the edge of the bed, and I sit beside him, our thighs touching.
Something's on his mind. I can tell by the way his hands are together and the look in his eyes.
"I've been thinking about everything, obviously," he says, looking down at his hands. "Everything that's happened."
My chest tightens.
"Maybe, maybe I should be the one to handle him."
"Who?" I ask, though I already know.
"My father." He exhales slowly, like he's been carrying the thought around for days. "I know a blood debt's coming. There's no way out. I saw it in Ares's eyes, and maybe he's right. After what he did, my father doesn't deserve to make it out of this war."
I freeze, a million thoughts racing through my mind. This isn't happening. He can't be suggesting what I think he is. If Niko kills Stavros, his soul will carry that forever, and it shouldn't, not when I'm prepared to do what needs to be done. And if he's caught? My brothers would never protect him. They'd probably see it as some confirmation of his guilt.
I can't let him risk everything. It would destroy him.
"We can talk about it after the gala," I say gently, placing my hand on his knee.
"Sure, but Calli, your brothers will come in guns blazing. One of them might not make it out." He takes my hand in his. "Me, on the other hand?—"
"Please." I interrupt, my voice sharper than I intended. "I don't want to talk about you risking your life right now."
But he's not listening. There's a determination in his voice.
"No," Niko says firmly. "I have unfiltered access to him, and if your brothers wage this war, it'll only complicate things for us, for our baby." His voice softens. "I care for you more than I ever could that piece of shit father of mine. You show me more love than he ever has. Shit, he's never even told me he does. Just beat me until I was bigger than he was and then tried to control me through intimidation."
I stare at him, shock stealing my words. My heart aches for him, for the boy who grew up under that monster's roof. And now he wants to sacrifice himself?
I can't let that happen.
I won't.
But I can't tell him my plans either, because I know he'll try to stop me. And if he does, my brothers will continue with their assault, which will likely get one of them killed. Or all of them. Or Niko.
But me? I'm the last person they'd ever suspect. Sweet little Calli who needs protection, who's never hurt anyone in her life. They'd never imagine I'm capable of murder.
The silence stretches between us, and I can feel Niko watching my face, waiting for me to say something. But what can I say? That I want him to destroy himself for my family's vengeance?
Or that I love him too much to let him do it?
My silence becomes his answer. He kisses my forehead.
"You're right," he says. "After the event. Let's get ready."
As he stands to head toward the bathroom, I reach for his hand. "Niko," I say, my voice catching. There's so much I want to tell him.
