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.
32
CALLI
"Okay, follow me," I say, leading them through my house.
I lead them down the hallway toward one of my guest rooms. The afternoon light filters across the hardwood floors. My bare feet are silent against the wood, but Declan's boots thud behind us.
In the corner is a small oak desk that I've converted into a makeshift office over the past few days. Some papers are scattered across its surface, notes scribbled in my handwriting. My laptop sits open, the screen black but waiting.
I settle into the desk chair, my fingers finding the trackpad to wake the computer. Keira moves to stand at my left shoulder, close enough that I can smell her citrus perfume. Declan positions himself to my right, his tall frame casting a shadow over the desk.
"So," I say, clicking a folder that has things I've been working on: maps, photos, notes. "Here's what I'm thinking."
"Shit, Calli, what's all this stuff?" Declan asks, leaning closer to the screen. "Am I going to see one of those boards in the closet with pins and red strings attached to pictures next?"
