And then Ares, looking right at me, said, "There's a chance one of us doesn't make it."
Those words gutted me more than anything. The idea of losing one of my brothers, of losing any of them, is unthinkable. They are frustrating and overprotective and maddening, but they are mine. My family. And I am theirs.
I don't even realize I've boiled water until I'm standing at the counter and the electric kettle clicks off. I make some chamomile to calm me down and my phone lights up.
Keira. FaceTime.
I swipe to answer, and her face fills the screen. She's in her kitchen, her red hair piled in a bun, coffee mug in hand.
"Hey," I say, forcing a small smile. "Don't you look beautiful this morning."
"Ha," Keira says, "Nice to get some of the old Calli."
I force a smile. "I'm trying."
She takes a sip from her mug. "So what happened at the meeting?"
I sink back onto the couch with my tea. "It was terrible. I'm not used to it. The way they talk. I've heard bits and pieces over the years, but it's different when you're sitting there. Especially when it's about someone I—" I cut myself off, but Keira knows.
Her expression softens. "Yeah, I get it," she says. "You know, my dad always treats me like one of the sons, probably because he wished he had all sons, so I've been in those many a times, butit's brutal the first time you hear them planning something like this."
"Exactly." I curl my fingers tighter around my mug. "But there's something else. Something I didn't even know to be afraid of."
Her brows pull together. "With Niko?"
I shake my head. "No. My brothers. Theo said Stavros is really dangerous and Ares said one of them may die."
Her eyes flash and Keira goes quiet for a moment.
"Right when I think I've got enough on my plate, the universe adds more," I continue, not wanting there to be silence.
"Okay," she says finally. "My main focus was protecting you and Niko, but we can't let anything happen to your brothers either."
"Of course. Family first," I agree instantly. It's true. It's always been true.
Keira exhales, frustrated, and leans closer to the screen. "This is going to get messy before it's over. And honestly? You might need to fight like your brothers do. Whether you want to or not."
The words strike a chord in me. "If there's anything I can do to make sure they're safe, I will. They've done it for me my whole life."
"Then let's fight," she says firmly. "But I think it's time your brothers know the truth."
"No." The word is sharp, immediate.
"Calli—"
"They'll think I betrayed them. They'll see me as a traitor."
"Bullshit," Keira snaps. "You didn't know any of this when you met him. And any man you chose for yourself, they'd hate just as much. You're a grown fucking woman, Cal. They need to get over it."
"You don't understand," I argue. "This isn't about them being overprotective. This is about revenge for our father."
"And you think they'd choose revenge over you? Over their niece or nephew?" Keira challenges. "Maybe give them some credit."
I don't answer. Instead, I bite my lip and look away, unconvinced.
"Look," Keira says, softening slightly. "I'll talk to my brothers, at least Declan. See if we can get some help. You stall your brothers as long as possible."
I nod, not trusting my voice.
